Understanding Asthma Management Plans: What Every Educator Needs to Know

Asthma affects one in nine Australians, including many children in schools and early learning environments. It’s one of the most common reasons for student absenteeism — and in serious cases, it can become life-threatening within minutes.

That’s why it’s not just important — it’s essential — for every educator, assistant, and support staff member to understand how to recognise, respond to, and manage asthma in an emergency.

Whether you work in a school, childcare centre, or disability support setting, here’s what you need to know about Asthma Action Plans, training responsibilities, and how to keep your staff and students safe.

What Is an Asthma Management Plan?

An Asthma Action Plan (or Asthma Management Plan) is a written document developed by a child’s GP, outlining:

Baseline asthma care
Known triggers
Symptoms to watch for
Step-by-step instructions for mild, moderate, and severe asthma episodes
Emergency contact information and medication details

Plans are usually colour-coded (green/yellow/red zones) and must be:

Updated every 12 months
Signed by a medical professional
Easily accessible to all staff involved in the child’s care

Legal and Duty of Care Responsibilities

In Victoria, services regulated under the Education and Care Services National Regulations (including childcare centres and kindergartens) must:

Request and store a current asthma plan for any child diagnosed with asthma
Ensure medication is clearly labelled and readily accessible
Train staff in the recognition and emergency treatment of asthma attacks

Schools must also comply with Ministerial Order 706, which includes training requirements for anaphylaxis and emergency asthma management.

Disability support providers have similar obligations under the NDIS Practice Standards, particularly around health support and emergency response.

Recognising Asthma Symptoms

It’s vital that all staff are trained to recognise the three levels of asthma response:

Mild to Moderate Symptoms:

Coughing
Wheezing
Minor difficulty breathing
Able to talk in full sentences

Severe Symptoms:

Obvious difficulty breathing
Can only speak in short sentences
Tugging in neck/chest muscles when breathing
Increased anxiety or distress

Life-Threatening:

Gasping for breath
Unable to speak or eat
Becoming pale, sweaty, or blue
Losing consciousness

The Standard Asthma First Aid Response

Every educator should know the 4-step asthma first aid process:

Sit the person upright – stay calm and reassure them
Give 4 separate puffs of reliever (e.g. Ventolin) – use a spacer if available
Wait 4 minutes – if no improvement, give another 4 puffs
Call 000 – if there is still no improvement or symptoms are severe

This should be done while following the student’s individual Asthma Action Plan.

Common Gaps in Schools and Centres

From our experience, here are the most common asthma-related gaps we see:

Outdated Asthma Plans not checked or reviewed annually
Medication stored out of reach or not clearly labelled
Staff unsure how to use a spacer or reliever medication
Casual or relief staff not briefed on medical needs
No practice or role-playing of emergency scenarios
Training only delivered via theory — no hands-on component

Why Hands-On Training Matters

In a real asthma emergency, staff can’t rely on theory alone. They need practice and confidence to:

Identify symptoms
Locate and use the correct medication
Communicate with emergency services
Provide support until help arrives

At AB First Aid, we ensure your team gets real, hands-on training using:

Asthma spacers and placebo inhalers
Scenario-based simulations
Visual and practical repetition for better retention
Clear guidance on how to interpret and follow Asthma Action Plans

Staff Training Requirements

To stay compliant, schools and services should ensure relevant staff complete:

HLTAID012 – Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting
HLTAID009 – Provide CPR (every 12 months)
Emergency asthma management is included in these nationally recognised units
Ongoing briefings and policy refreshers for all staff, including casuals and new hires