How long does First Aid Certification last?
- Written by Darcy Colwill
A First Aid qualification lasts three years within Australia, and CPR lasts just one year.
It is recommended that you renew them to stay on top of your knowledge and retain your employment if required for your workplace.
If you do not require a certificate for work, you are not obligated to renew your First Aid Certificate at the end of the three years. This being said, it is highly recommended that you do so that you’re ready and able to assist if an emergency arises.
Different types of First Aid
Many different types of First Aid can help in a variety of situations. Standard First Aid covers over two dozen symptoms and conditions, the most common in emergency situations. These include Asthma and allergic reactions, burns, how to bandage, and more.
If your work is in an educational setting, then there is a different course you need to complete. HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care setting covers all of the common issues in the standard first aid course and common ailments that affect children more often. This includes Febrile convulsion, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.
CPR
CPR can be completed on its own or as part of a First Aid Course. You can opt to do First Aid and CPR at once if both renewed or on their own if your First Aid Certificate is still valid.
CPR- (Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) will teach you how to respond if someone goes into cardiac arrest. CPR comprises chest compressions and breathing to move the casualty’s oxygenated blood around their body whilst their heart has stopped. CPR can bring a casualty back into a stable condition.
AED
Automated External Defibrillators can assist during CPR. These machines are now widely available, with many businesses and educational facilities housing them within. AED’s work by analysing a casualty’s heart rate after a round of CPR to assess whether a shock needs to be delivered. Often they come with audio instructions as to when to step back from the patient and when to recommence CPR. Manual instructions are also inside with diagrams on how to place the associated pads onto the patient correctly.
CPR courses include being shown and practising how to use AED’s.
How long does a First Aid Course take?
The length of the course depends on the type of course you do. There are also online options available as well as face-to-face.
First Aid
These courses are usually just 6 hours in person, or the majority of the course can be completed at your own pace online, with just 2 hours required in person before getting your certificate.
Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
In just 7 hours in person, you can receive your accreditation for this course. If you wish to complete most of your training from home, you are only required to come in for 2 hours.
CPR
This course is so short that there are no breaks needed! Come in for just two hours to get certified or with the online express, just one!
Where can I get certified?
In the Northern Territory, Darwin and Katherine both have courses available. Click here to see a complete list of locations.
