Get involved with Heart of the Nation
Turning bystanders into responders
Heart of the Nation is the Heart Foundation’s flagship program dedicated to improving survival rates from cardiac arrest. We want to equip more individuals with the confidence to act in cardiac arrest events, transforming bystanders into responders.
To support the Heart of the Nation program, you can:
- Attend one of our free Shockingly Simple CPR and AED awareness sessions.
- Register AEDs in your area with your state ambulance service
- Spread the word about our CPR and AED awareness campaigns
- Make a donation to Heart Foundation
Shockingly Simple: CPR and AED awareness sessions
One hour. Confidence for life
In 2025, our free, community-led CPR and AED awareness sessions will be running in four pilot local government areas in New South Wales.
In our one-hour sessions, we aim to build your confidence for life. These sessions will help you:
- Identify the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest.
- Build confidence to act in a cardiac arrest emergency with three simple steps – CALL, PUSH, SHOCK.
- Understand that you don’t need training to help save someone’s life.
Register for upcoming sessions in New South Wales:
- Cumberland
- Strathfield
- North Sydney
- Tamworth
These sessions will be expanded to other communities throughout 2026. To be informed of sessions hosted in your area, subscribe to our newsletter.
Are you a local council interested in facilitating CPR information sessions in 2026?
Following our pilot program, we will be rolling out our community information sessions across Australia.
Note for MK: Embed enquiry form for LGAs here.
Become a volunteer community trainer in your local government area
Help us save more lives by sharing lifesaving knowledge with your community. As a Heart of the Nation volunteer community trainer, you will help in our mission to give every person the confidence to respond in the moments that matter most.
By teaching others about cardiac arrest, CPR and defibrillators you will empower your community to act and potentially save lives.
What is involved
- A flexible commitment – 2 hours per month.
- Lead interactive education sessions in your area.
- Comprehensive induction training and support provided.
If you are confident to speak in front of a group, have a passion for saving lives in your community and, have first aid experience – we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Heart of the Nation team.
Join a community responder program in your state
If you are confident to perform CPR and use an AED, you may be eligible to join a community responder program in your state.
Most states have an alert system that uses a phone app to notify registered responders, like off-duty health professionals and first-aiders, if a cardiac arrest occurs near them. These responders can provide CPR while an ambulance is on the way.
Register to become a responder in your state
- NSW: https://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/goodsam
- VIC: https://www.goodsamapp.org/AV
- SA: https://www.goodsamapp.org/saas
- ACT and WA: https://www.stjohnwa.com.au/online-resources/st-john-first-responder-app
- TAS: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/goodSAM
- Northern Territory: https://www.stjohnnt.org.au/about-us/community-resources
Get in touch
- Contact the Heart of the Nation team by emailing [email protected]
Frequently asked questions
What's the cost of the Shockingly Simple CPR and AED awareness sessions?
They are FREE to attend.
What’s difference between the community information sessions and accredited CPR training?
Our free education sessions are designed to give you confidence to recognise cardiac arrest and focus solely on Call, Push, Shock. They are non-accredited and do not provide a qualification.
How I can encourage my local council to run the Shockingly Simple CPR and AED awareness sessions?
Contact your local council, to let them know about our program, and how they partner with the Heart Foundation to provide the Shockingly Simple CPR and AED awareness sessions.
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