Trusted by safety professionals across health, construction, and aged care, and designed to prepare you for RESP-FIT® accreditation.
This fit testing course is delivered by accredited fit testers and aligned with both AS/NZS 1715:2009 and AS/NZS ISO 16975.3:2023. The focus is on practical competency — giving you the skills to test accurately, interpret results correctly, and satisfy the compliance requirements your workplace or clients will hold you to.
Delivered by accredited fit testers. Designed to meet AS/NZS AS/NZS 1715:2009 and ISO 16975.3:2023 standards.
Includes fit testing using the qualitative methodology.
Our respirator fit testing course uses a blended learning format that combines self-paced online study with a full-day, hands-on practical session — because reading about fit testing and actually doing it are two very different things.
The theory component is delivered through an easy-to-use online platform. You work through it at your own pace, at a time that suits you. Once that’s complete, you attend a full-day practical workshop where you apply everything you’ve learnt in real fit testing scenarios, working alongside an accredited trainer. Both a theory and a practical assessment are included to confirm that you’re genuinely competent before your certificate is issued.
Why respirator fit testing matters and the regulatory requirements and standards that underpin it — including when testing is legally required and what it needs to demonstrate.
How to assess the working environment and select the right respiratory protective equipment for the person and the hazard. Factors affecting fit, comfort, and protection levels.
How to document test results properly, maintain records that satisfy regulatory requirements, and produce accurate fit test reports and certificates that hold up to audit.
Step-by-step instruction in both methodologies, with hands-on practice throughout. Quantitative testing includes practical use of the PortaCount machine.
Cleaning, storage, and routine inspection practices that keep respiratory equipment functioning as it should between tests.
Every participant receives three months of telephone support from our lead trainer — free, as part of your enrolment. It’s there precisely for the period when you’re putting your new skills into practice for the first time, and questions start coming up that a manual doesn’t quite answer.
You’ll also receive a comprehensive 100-page training manual covering everything from step-by-step testing procedures to reference material you’ll use on the job long after the course is finished.
For questions about the course or to speak with our course coordinator directly, call 1300 153 438.
We look forward to helping you build a genuine, working competency in respirator fit testing — and to supporting the safety of the teams you’ll go on to protect.
How do I become a qualified fit tester in Australia?
The recognised pathway is to complete a respirator fit test training course that aligns with AS/NZS 1715 and ISO 16975.3, then apply for accreditation through RESP-FIT®. Our course covers both the theory and practical components required to take that step, and our trainers are available to guide you through the accreditation process once you’ve completed your training.
Do I need to be RESP-FIT® accredited to work as a fit tester?
Strictly speaking, RESP-FIT® accreditation isn’t a legal requirement — but in practice, most organisations that hire or contract fit testers will ask for it. Healthcare providers, government bodies, construction companies, and mining operations regularly include it in their contractor requirements, and many have made it a non-negotiable part of their internal health and safety protocols.
Accreditation tells a client that you’ve been trained to current standards, that you use validated test methods, that you can read and explain results accurately, and that your documentation practices are sound. Beyond the credential itself, it also makes you considerably more competitive — particularly as expectations around respiratory protection continue to rise across Australian workplaces.
Do I need technical qualifications or a medical background to become a fit tester?
No. Participants come from a wide range of professional backgrounds — nursing, occupational health, site safety, construction supervision, and more. There are no formal entry requirements beyond a willingness to engage properly with the material. The course is structured to take you from the basics through to practical competency, regardless of where you’re starting from.
Is there a test or assessment?
Yes. The course includes both a theoretical and a practical assessment. You need to pass both to receive your fit test certificate. The practical component is conducted during the face-to-face workshop, so you’ll have had a full day of hands-on practice before you’re assessed. It’s not designed to catch people out — it’s there to make sure you leave the course genuinely capable of doing the job.
What equipment do I need to start conducting fit tests?
That depends on which method you intend to use. Qualitative fit testing requires a test hood, nebulisers, test solutions, and appropriate half-face masks. Quantitative fit testing — the more precise and more widely used method — requires a PortaCount® or equivalent device, along with the relevant adaptors. We’re happy to advise on equipment options during training, and you’ll have three months of post-course support to help you get set up properly once you’re qualified.
Can I run my own fit testing business after completing the course?
Yes, and many of our graduates do exactly that. Once you’ve completed your fit tester training, earned your certificate, and sourced the appropriate equipment, you’re in a position to offer fit testing services commercially — whether through a mobile operation or a fixed clinic setup. The three months of telephone support included in your enrolment is particularly useful during this early stage, when the questions tend to come thick and fast.
