A.F.I. was born out of a shared passion between two emergency nurses, Janke and Chris, who have spent the last several years working in rural and remote communities across Australia. As contract nurses ourselves, we experienced first hand the challenges of staying up to date with mandatory training when access to education was limited, travel was long, and the local training simply wasn’t made available to us.
After repeatedly missing out on in-service education and struggling to juggle rosters with distant training locations, we realised something needed to change, not just for us, but for everyone who relies on essential training to maintain their employment. That’s when A.F.I. came to life.
Our mission is simple: to make essential training more accessible, flexible, and practical. We believe that professional development shouldn’t require days off work, long drives, or disruption to your personal life. That’s why we’re committed to offering online learning options wherever we can, supported by face-to-face training for those local to the Sunshine Coast.
Whether you’re a rural nurse, a teacher needing to refresh your CPR, or someone keen to build confidence in emergency care skills, we’re here to support you with high quality, zero fuss training designed by people who truly get it.
Co-Founder and Trainer
B.NSc, Cert IV EMT, Cert IV TAE40122, Dip Outdoor Ed
Chris is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in emergency departments across Australia. His passion for practical, high-impact education has led him to roles as a Basic Life Support trainer in the hospital setting and, more recently, as part of the teaching team for the Diploma of Nursing.
Before transitioning into nursing, Chris spent several years working both within Australia and internationally as an expedition raft guide, first aid manager, and operations manager in challenging outdoor environments. This unique background brings a dynamic, real-world perspective to his teaching, blending clinical expertise with leadership, risk management, and hands on problem solving.
Through Australian First Aid Institute, Chris is committed to making quality first aid education more accessible, especially for healthcare workers and community members in rural and remote areas.
Co-Founder and Trainer
B.ExNutSc, B.NSc, GradCertEmergNurs, Cert IV TAE40122
Janke is a Registered Nurse with a strong background in emergency care and a passion for practical, skills-based education. With postgraduate qualifications in Emergency Nursing, she has worked across busy tertiary emergency departments and rural health settings throughout Australia.
Janke has previously worked as a Basic Life Support trainer in hospital settings and as a Clinical Facilitator for University nursing students, combining clinical expertise with a supportive teaching style. She co-founded Australian First Aid Institution to help make high-quality first aid education more accessible, without the fuss.