Training
Improving confidence and capability of allied health professionals in supporting children's vehicle seating needs
Free training offer for New South Wales health professionals
Free training offer for Tasmanian health professionals
Welcome
Welcome allied health professionals.
The information and resources on this page will help you in your leading role supporting families with their children's motor vehicle transport needs. We introduce you to our training course, the MACA Guide, as well as relevant standards, vehicle restraint options and products.
About the course
MACA's specialist online training course Transporting Children with Disabilities and Medical Conditions, is available now.
This evidence-based training course has been developed with funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services. It aims to build knowledge and confidence in assessing and prescribing for children’s motor vehicle transport needs (under 16 years).
The course is suitable for both novice and experienced allied health professionals, and is also relevant to government agencies, product suppliers, road safety practitioners and other interested professionals.
This specialised course provides nine CPD hours and is structured over three weeks; however, participants progress at their own pace (e.g., over a couple of months) and have ongoing access to the course after completion.
Course supporters
We greatly appreciate the contributions and/or support of our valued stakeholders in developing this course.
Department of Social Services
Transport Accident Commission
Neuroscience Research Australia
Medifab
Britax
Australian Assistive Technology Suppliers Association
Curtin University
Monash University
The MACA Guide
Upon completion of the course, participants receive a free copy of the MACA Guide, Australia's leading prescribing resource, and a certificate.
This comprehensive resource, with easy to use templates, assist with clinical reasoning and decision-making when working with families to support children's motor vehicle transport needs.
More information about the content of the MACA Guide and its four step assessment and prescribing process is available here.
Cost and enrolment
Free training offer for NSW and Tasmanian health professionals
Transport for NSW has funded 100 places for eligible NSW health professionals.
Find out more and apply here.
The Department of State Growth has funded 40 places for eligible Tasmanian health professionals.
Find out more and apply here.
Health professionals in other states and territories
MACA offers a significantly discounted rate for Australian health professionals and students compared to the public rate of $949.
Eligible groups
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Rehabilitation engineers
- Medical practitioners
- Students of allied health or another relevant course
Discounted rates
- Individual: $590 (excl. GST)
- Organisations: $490 (excl. GST) per person - available for groups of five or more health professionals from the one organisation
Discounted rate enrolment
- Complete this short survey to confirm eligibility.
- If eligible, you will be sent an email with an invoice.
- Once paid, you will be emailed a receipt and a unique link to the course.
Full course cost
If you are not eligible for the discounted rate you can find out about the course and enrol here. The full course cost is $949 (excl. GST).
Course overview
The course aims to build confidence when assessing and prescribing for a child’s transport needs by providing key knowledge, along with practical tools.
The course, delivered on an online learning platform, FutureLearn, covers:
- Children’s vulnerability as road users
- Road safety principles and approaches
- Vehicle standards and road rules
- The leading role of allied health professionals
- Vehicle restraint products and devices
- Standards
- Best practice prescribing approaches and tools
- Common transport challenges
- Scope of practice and restrictive practice
- Importance of good documentation.
Please note that the course does not cover wheelchairs or public transport.
Participants receive a free copy of the MACA Guide, Australia's leading prescribing resource.
Learn more about the course here.
Expert contributors
MACA’S online training course is supported by esteemed experts in child restraint research, health, road safety, as well as leading national suppliers of car seats for children.
Samantha Hunter
Samantha Hunter, the CEO of Occupational Therapy Australia, features in a video which explores scope of practice.
Professor Lynne Bilston
Professor Lynne Bilston is a highly respected Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA and Faculty of Medicine UNSW, Co-Director of the Transurban Road Safety Centre, and Chair of the Australian Standards Committee for Child Restraints in Motor Vehicles.
David Dos Reis
David Dos Reis is an experienced Lead Product Engineer in child restraint safety at Britax Childcare. In the course, he discusses the range and features of Australian standard car seats.
Warwick Teague
Associate Professor Warwick Teague is an accomplished paediatric surgeon and researcher.
As Director of the Royal Children's Hospital Trauma Services in Melbourne, Warwick oversees the emergency treatment and care of Victoria's most severely injured children.
Graham Mascull
Graham is the General Manager of Medifab, one of the largest suppliers of special purpose car seats in Australia and New Zealand. Medifab produced a video for the training course to educate participants about the unique features of special purpose car seats.
Gabby O'Neill
Gabby O'Neill is the Head of the Office of Road Safety in Australia. In the course, Gabby explores the National Road Safety Strategy and its targets to reduce road trauma.
FAQs
MACA's online training course
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services
Learn about standards, vehicle restraint options & products
Learn about Australian and overseas standards, vehicle restraint options and products used for children with disabilities and medical conditions.
Thank you for providing a wonderful learning resource and guide. I will definitely be encouraging other I work with and supervise to complete this.
