Hand hygiene training
Hand hygiene course online
Clean hands are the single most effective way to stop infections spreading. Learn when and how to clean your hands at work — the 5 moments, the right technique and the common mistakes — as part of a practical infection control course.
- The 5 moments explained
- Hand rub and handwashing technique
- Free to study
- Verifiable certificate
Free to study · About 30 minutes · Certificate A$39 after you pass
What you'll learn about hand hygiene
- The 5 moments for hand hygiene: before touching a person, before a clean or aseptic procedure, after a body fluid exposure risk, after touching a person and after touching a person's surroundings
- Alcohol-based hand rub: covering every surface and rubbing until your hands are completely dry, usually 20–30 seconds
- Handwashing with soap and water, usually 40–60 seconds, and when it's needed instead of hand rub — visibly soiled hands, after the toilet, and gastro
- Why gloves don't replace hand hygiene, and cleaning your hands every time you take them off
- Nails, jewellery and skin care: short nails, no rings or watches during care, and moisturising to prevent dermatitis
Part of a complete infection control course
Hand hygiene is one module of our infection control course, alongside PPE, cleaning and disinfection, spills, waste and outbreaks. Choose the course for your work — aged care, disability support, cleaning, childcare, beauty or healthcare — then pass the 20-question assessment for your certificate. If you already know the material, you can go straight to the assessment.
Questions
Is this the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) module?+
No. The NHHI provides its own hand hygiene learning modules for healthcare workers, and some hospitals require those specifically. Our course is an independent infection control awareness course that covers hand hygiene in depth alongside other essentials. Check with your employer which training they accept.
Do I get a hand hygiene certificate?+
You get an infection control certificate of completion that covers hand hygiene, with a unique ID and QR code employers can verify. The course and assessment are free; the certificate is A$39 after you pass.
How long does it take?+
The full course takes about 30 minutes, followed by the assessment. You can study on your phone and stop and come back at any time.
Is this an accredited course?+
No. It is a non-accredited infection control awareness course. It is not a nationally recognised qualification and is not HLTINF006 or any other unit of competency. If a job advertisement asks specifically for a unit of competency, check with the employer before buying.
Get your certificate today
Start module one now — no account needed.