Your manager has asked you to complete an Advanced Life Support course. You open the booking page and see two options: ALS 1 and ALS 2. One takes a day. The other takes two days and costs more.
So which one is right for you?
The answer depends on your role, your workplace and how often you respond to emergencies. This guide breaks down both options in plain language so you can book the right ALS Course the first time.
What Is an ALS Course?
An Advanced Life Support (ALS) course teaches healthcare workers how to manage a patient who is deteriorating or in cardiac arrest. It goes beyond the CPR skills taught in Basic Life Support.
In Australia, the national standard for this training is set by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). ARC courses are run only by course centres that the ARC has approved and certified. These centres operate in every state and territory.
ARC courses follow the same content, the same rules and the same assessment wherever you take them. That means a certificate earned in Brisbane carries the same weight as one earned in Perth.
ALS 1 at a Glance
ALS 1 is a one day course of about eight hours. It is also known as Immediate Life Support (ILS).
The ARC designed ALS 1 to train healthcare workers to:
- Start resuscitation and use a defibrillator, either manual or automated
- Manage a patient's airway using simple techniques
- Care for a patient in cardiac arrest until the resuscitation team or expert help arrives
- Work as an effective member of a resuscitation team
You are assessed in three areas: airway management, the ABCDE approach to assessing a patient, and high quality CPR with defibrillation.
In short, ALS 1 prepares you to be the person who acts first and acts well until more help arrives.
ALS 2 at a Glance
ALS 2 is a two day course. The ARC describes it as very intensive, and it focuses on advanced management of the deteriorating adult and cardiac arrest.
You receive the ARC ALS 2 manual four weeks before the course. You are expected to study it before day one.
ALS 2 covers:
- Recognising and treating the deteriorating patient
- Managing cardiac arrest using the ARC cardiac arrest algorithm
- Leading a resuscitation team
- Advanced decisions relating to resuscitation
- Planning and delivering post resuscitation care
Assessment is continuous. It takes place throughout the course in workshops and realistic clinical simulations.
An ARC ALS 2 provider certificate is valid for four years. It is also recognised overseas by the Resuscitation Council UK, the New Zealand Resuscitation Council and the European Resuscitation Council.
In short, ALS 2 prepares you to lead.
ALS 1 vs ALS 2: Side by Side
ALS 1ALS 2LengthOne day (about 8 hours)Two daysMain focusFirst response until help arrivesLeading the full resuscitationYour roleTeam memberTeam member or team leaderPre course studyPre readingARC manual sent four weeks beforeAssessmentThree skills assessmentsContinuous, through simulationsBest forWard and general clinical staffAcute and critical care staffWho Should Choose ALS 1?
ALS 1 suits healthcare workers who need more than Basic Life Support but who are not expected to lead a resuscitation.
This often includes:
- Nurses working on general wards
- Allied health staff in hospitals
- Clinicians in clinics or day facilities where a resuscitation team is close by
- Staff who want a solid foundation before stepping up to ALS 2
If your job is to recognise a collapse, start CPR, attach a defibrillator and support the team, ALS 1 is likely the right fit.
Who Should Choose ALS 2?
ALS 2 is designed for healthcare professionals who use these skills as part of their regular clinical duties, or who teach them.
This often includes staff in:
- Emergency departments
- Intensive care and high dependency units
- Operating theatres and anaesthetics
- Coronary care units
- Medical emergency and code blue teams
- Paramedic services
It is also a strong choice for nurses and nurse practitioners in rural and remote areas. In these settings, you may be the most senior clinician on site, and help may be hours away.
Do You Need ALS 1 Before ALS 2?
No. The ARC states that it is not essential to complete ALS 1 before ALS 2.
That said, some people choose to start with ALS 1 to build confidence. Others go straight to ALS 2 because their role demands it. Before you book, check with your manager or educator. Many workplaces set clear rules about which level each role must hold.
Why You Should Only Choose ARC Courses
Not every life support course in Australia is an ARC course. Some providers run their own programs that follow similar guidelines but do not issue an ARC certificate.
This matters for three reasons:
- Employer acceptance. Many hospitals and health services ask specifically for an ARC ALS 1 or ALS 2 certificate.
- Consistency. ARC courses follow one national standard, so your training matches what your colleagues have learned.
- Recognition. ARC ALS 2 credentials are recognised by leading resuscitation councils in the UK, New Zealand and Europe.
Before you pay, look for wording that confirms the course centre is accredited by the Australian Resuscitation Council and that instructors are ARC accredited.
What About Recertification?
Resuscitation skills fade if you do not use them. The ARC offers recertification courses for both ALS 1 and ALS 2 through approved course centres.
Recertification is usually shorter than the full course. It suits people who already hold a current certificate and want to renew it before it expires. Many employers also expect staff to refresh their skills more often than the certificate requires, so check your workplace policy.
Four Questions to Help You Decide
Still unsure? Ask yourself:
- Will I be expected to lead a resuscitation? If yes, choose ALS 2.
- Do I work in emergency, critical care or a remote setting? If yes, ALS 2 is likely the better fit.
- Is my role to respond first and support the team? If yes, ALS 1 may be enough.
- What does my employer require? Always confirm this before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is an ALS Course?
ALS 1 takes one day, about eight hours. ALS 2 runs over two full days, with study needed beforehand.
Is ALS 2 Harder Than ALS 1?
Yes. ALS 2 covers more advanced content and includes team leadership. Good preparation with the course manual makes a big difference.
Can Nurses Do ALS 2?
Yes. Many nurses complete ALS 2, especially those working in emergency, critical care, theatres or rural and remote health.
How Long Is an ALS 2 Certificate Valid?
An ARC ALS 2 provider certificate is valid for four years. Your employer may ask you to refresh your skills sooner.
The Bottom Line
ALS 1 and ALS 2 are both valuable. The right choice comes down to your role.
If you respond first and support the team, ALS 1 gives you the skills you need. If you lead, work in acute care, or practise where help is far away, ALS 2 is the course to choose.
Whichever level you pick, make sure it is an ARC accredited ALS course. That way, your certificate is recognised, respected and ready for your next shift.
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