Getting It Right: The Correct Process for Anaphylaxis Verification in Victorian Schools

I recently visited a school to deliver CPR updates and help support their Anaphylaxis Supervisor through the verification process. Like many schools I’ve worked with, they were doing their best — but still had a few gaps in understanding the full compliance process for anaphylaxis training under Ministerial Order No. 706.

What I realised is this: many schools think they’re meeting the requirements, but they’re missing key steps, especially around verification and documentation.

So let’s break it down. This guide is designed to give Victorian schools clarity around the correct anaphylaxis training and verification process, and ensure your staff are not just trained — but properly verified and compliant.

What’s Required by Law? Ministerial Order 706, Clause 12

According to Ministerial Order 706, all Victorian schools must meet the following staff training and verification obligations:

Clause 12.1 – Who Must Be Trained?

Your school’s anaphylaxis management policy must clearly state that the following school staff must be trained:

Staff who conduct classes attended by students at risk of anaphylaxis
Any other staff identified by the principal, based on a risk assessment (e.g. yard duty, admin, canteen, support staff)

Clause 12.2 – What Training Must Be Completed?

These staff must:

Successfully complete either:
- An accredited face-to-face course (e.g. 22578VIC) within the past 3 years, or
- The ASCIA Anaphylaxis eTraining for Victorian schools within the past 2 years
Participate in twice-yearly briefings, the first of which must be held at the start of each school year, covering:
- Your school’s anaphylaxis management policy
- Causes, symptoms, and treatment of anaphylaxis
- Identities of at-risk students, and location of their medication
- How to use an adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen & Anapen), with hands-on practice using a trainer device
- First aid and emergency procedures
- Location and access to all autoinjectors (student-provided and general-use)

The Verification Process: The Commonly Missed Step

If your staff complete the ASCIA Anaphylaxis eTraining, they must also:

Be practically assessed on the correct use of both EpiPen and Anapen trainer devices
Be assessed by a School Anaphylaxis Supervisor who is qualified and current
Be verified using the official Competency Checklist
Complete this process within 30 days of completing the eTraining

Without this final verification, staff are not considered compliant.

Who Can Be a School Anaphylaxis Supervisor?

A Supervisor is a school staff member (often a first aid officer, wellbeing leader or health & safety rep) who has completed:

The ASCIA Anaphylaxis Supervisor Verification Training every 2 years
The 22579VIC Course in Verifying the Correct Use of Adrenaline Injector Devices every 3 years
Additionally, participants need to hold a current Statement of Attainment for either 22300VIC/22578VIC Course in First Aid Management of Anaphylaxis or 10710NAT Course in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness in order to become certified in 22579VIC

The Role of the Supervisor Includes:

Assessing and verifying staff on the use of both EpiPen and Anapen using trainer devices and the competency checklist
Liaising with the principal to ensure accurate training records are stored
Providing regular reminders to staff about expiry dates and training needs
Leading twice-yearly school briefings, with:
- Scenario-based discussions (e.g. bee sting in the yard, unconscious student, etc.)
- Demonstrations of autoinjector technique
Ensuring access to trainer devices for staff practice
Supporting new or relief staff to complete training ASAP
Working with families on student-specific anaphylaxis management plans

You can find the Supervisor Checklist in the Resources section of the DET Anaphylaxis Policy page.

Common Gaps We’re Seeing in Schools

Here’s what schools often get wrong (and how to fix it):

Common Gap	Solution
Staff complete eLearning but aren’t verified	Supervisor must assess with trainer devices and sign off within 30 days
Only classroom teachers trained	Broaden training to include admin, yard duty, canteen, etc.
Supervisor not current in 22579VIC	Refresh certification every 3 years
Briefings are skipped or lack practical scenarios	Hold twice a year with demo and emergency simulations
Poor record-keeping of training	Maintain a clear training register and store signed checklists

Tips for Staying Organised and Compliant

Create a training matrix to track who’s completed what, and when retraining is due
Keep trainer EpiPens and Anapens accessible for practice
Review the School Supervisor Checklist at the start of each term
Conduct mock scenarios in different areas of the school (yard duty, library, office, etc.)
Keep your policy and student ASCIA Action Plans visible and up to date

How AB First Aid Can Help

At AB First Aid, we work directly with schools across Victoria to:

Deliver anaphylaxis training tailored to school settings
Help staff complete both face-to-face and ASCIA eTraining (FREE)
Guide School Anaphylaxis Supervisors through the verification process (FREE)
Provide Anapen and EpiPen trainer devices
Review school documentation to ensure your compliance with Ministerial Order 706 (FREE)

We’ll make sure your staff are confident, your supervisors are supported, and your policy is fully implemented — not just sitting in a folder. We also provide this servie FREE for all schools that partner with us for thier ongoing training and are proud to be the only first aid company in Victoria offering this service.

The Policy Is Clear — Let’s Get the Process Right

Ministerial Order 706 provides a clear, structured framework. But it only works when all parts of the process are followed — including verification and supervisor briefings.

If you’re unsure about your school’s current practices or if your supervisor needs a refresher, now’s the time to review and reset.

Need help with a Supervisor course, mock scenarios, or verification setup?
We’re ready to support you.