AIIMS Training Pathways in Australia

Key Takeaways

• AIIMS training is delivered through nationally recognised courses, not a single qualification. Where you enter the pathway depends on your role.
• Entry-level Awareness training suits community members and support staff in non-managerial roles. It is not a prerequisite for every pathway, but it gives useful grounding.
• Core AIIMS training prepares personnel to work within an AIIMS-based incident management team (IMT) structure.
• Performing a specific function, such as Operations, planning, or logistics, requires additional function-specific and role-specific training beyond the core course.
• Progressing to Incident Controller, particularly at Level 2 or Level 3, involves agency-based training, mentoring, and formal registration or certification, not a single short course.
• AFAC is the custodian of AIIMS. Registered training organisations (RTOs) deliver the accredited courses, and individual agencies manage role authorisation on top of that.

AIIMS training pathways in Australia provide a structured progression from entry-level awareness training to core AIIMS education, function-specific roles, and, for those pursuing incident command, formal registration and certification as an Incident Controller.

At Reflective Fabrications, we’ve supported Australian emergency services and government organisations for decades by manufacturing AIIMS-aligned role identification tabards and high-visibility safety apparel used in training and incident response. That experience gives us practical insight into how AIIMS training supports effective incident management.

In this guide, we’ll explain how AIIMS training in Australia is structured, the different training levels, who delivers AIIMS courses, and how personnel progress towards specialist and incident controller roles.

AIIMS Training Pathway at a Glance

What AIIMS Training Actually Prepares You For

AIIMS, the Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System, is the incident management doctrine used by Australia’s fire, land management, and emergency services agencies. It is not a single course or qualification but a nationally recognised framework that enables agencies to coordinate personnel, functions, and decision-making under a common system.

AIIMS Training Is a Structured Pathway

AIIMS training is a progression of learning, not a one-off course. It combines layered training that builds the knowledge and skills required for different roles within an Incident Management Team (IMT).

The pathway typically includes:

• Awareness training for foundational knowledge.
• Core AIIMS training for working within an IMT.
• Function-specific training for roles such as Control, Operations, Planning, Intelligence, Public Information, Logistics, Finance, and Investigation.
• Incident Controller registration and certification for personnel progressing into command roles.

Where you begin depends on your role and career goals. Understanding the AIIMS training pathway helps you choose the right course and plan your progression within the incident management system.

The Entry Point: Awareness-Level Training

For people who are new to incident management or who support incident response without holding a managerial role, the pathway typically begins with an awareness-level course. This training is aimed at community members and support staff who need a working understanding of AIIMS concepts without needing to operate inside a formal IMT structure themselves.

Awareness training suits people such as:

• Community members involved in local risk management or volunteer support roles
• Support staff who work alongside incident response teams but are not part of the formal command structure
• People considering a future pathway into incident management who want foundational knowledge first

This level of training is not a mandatory first step for every AIIMS pathway. Some personnel move straight into the core AIIMS course if their role requires it. But for those without prior exposure to incident management, it is a practical starting point.

Core AIIMS Training

Core AIIMS training prepares personnel to work within an Incident Management Team (IMT). It focuses on applying AIIMS principles in operational environments, including management by objectives, functional management, span of control, and incident action planning.

Completing the core course provides the shared knowledge needed to work within an AIIMS structure. It does not authorise personnel to perform specialist or leadership roles. Additional function-specific training and agency approval are required.

Function-Specific and Role-Specific Training

After completing core AIIMS training, personnel progress into the function they will perform within an Incident Management Team (IMT). Each function has its own responsibilities, training requirements, and, in many cases, a corresponding AIIMS tabard colour.

Common function-specific pathways include:

• Operations
• Planning
• Logistics
• Intelligence
• Public Information
• Finance
• Investigation

Role Authorisation

Completing training alone does not authorise someone to perform a role. Positions such as Incident Controller typically require additional role-specific training, practical experience, and approval from the person’s agency. Role authorisation is determined by agency policies and procedures, not the training provider.

Related: See our AIIMS Tabard Colours Guide to learn how each function is identified in the field.

Incident Controller Progression: Levels 1, 2 and 3

AIIMS classifies incidents into Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 based on their size and complexity. As incident complexity increases, so do the training, experience, and responsibilities expected of the Incident Controller.

Progressing to Level 2 or Level 3 Incident Controller is not achieved through a single course. It typically involves:

• Completing the required education and prerequisites.
• Agency-based training and mentoring.
• Practical experience managing incidents at or below the target level.
• Formal registration and, ultimately, certification against recognised professional standards.

Typical Progression

Registration and Certification

For Level 3 Incident Controllers, registration generally follows completion of agency training and mentoring requirements. Certification is typically achieved later, once the required operational experience has been gained.

Experience Matters

Incident Controller progression is agency-led and experience-based, so requirements vary between organisations. While core and function-specific training provide the foundation, progression to higher levels is built through supervised, real-world incident management experience.

Who Delivers AIIMS Training

AFAC Sets the Framework

AFAC, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, is the custodian of AIIMS. It maintains the AIIMS manual, develops the incident management framework, and updates the system as industry practices evolve. The current edition, AIIMS 2025, replaced the 2017 edition.

Related: See our guide to What Changed in AIIMS 2025 to explore the key updates introduced in the latest edition of AIIMS.

Registered Training Organisations Deliver the Courses

AIIMS training is delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) approved to deliver the relevant nationally recognised units of competency. Course availability, delivery formats, and entry requirements vary between providers and agencies.

Before enrolling, check with your preferred RTO or your agency’s learning and development team for the latest course information and prerequisites.

How Training Connects to the Team on the Ground

AIIMS training prepares personnel to work effectively as part of an Incident Management Team (IMT). In the field, responders from multiple agencies must understand their responsibilities and identify each other’s roles at a glance.

Clear Role Identification Matters

Knowing your role is only part of the equation. Being clearly identifiable helps teams communicate, coordinate, and make decisions more efficiently during an incident. That’s why AIIMS uses standard role identification, including colour-coded tabards for key functions.

AIIMS-Aligned Identification Gear

At Reflective Fabrications, we manufacture AIIMS-aligned tabards and high-visibility safety apparel for emergency services and organisations across Australia. Built to recognised AIIMS colour conventions and relevant Australian standards, our identification gear helps teams remain visible, organised, and ready for deployment.

Related: Explore our AIIMS Tabards and AIIMS Tabard Colours Guide to learn more.

Building Capability Through AIIMS Training 

AIIMS training is a structured pathway that develops the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to work within Australia’s incident management system. Whether you’re starting with awareness training or progressing towards Incident Controller, each stage builds on the last through formal training, practical experience, and agency authorisation.

For organisations training personnel into AIIMS roles, clear role identification is just as important as training itself. At Reflective Fabrications, we manufacture AIIMS-aligned tabards and high-visibility safety apparel that help incident management teams remain organised, visible, and ready for deployment.

Contact us to discuss AIIMS-compliant role identification solutions for your organisation.