How Long Does a First Aid Certificate Last in Australia?

One of the most common questions we get is: “When does my first aid certificate expire?” The short answer depends on which certificate you hold — but here's what you need to know to stay compliant at work and confident in an emergency.

CPR Certificate (HLTAID009) — Renew Every 12 Months

The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) and the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) recommend that CPR skills be refreshed every 12 months. Research shows that CPR skills — particularly the quality of compressions — can deteriorate significantly within months of training without practice.

Most Australian workplaces and industry bodies follow this recommendation and require annual CPR renewal. Your Statement of Attainment for HLTAID009 does not have a printed expiry date, but the industry standard treats it as current for 12 months from the date of issue.

First Aid Certificate (HLTAID011) — Renew Every 3 Years

HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid) is recommended to be renewed every 3 years. This applies to HLTAID012 (Childcare First Aid) as well. However, because HLTAID011 includes CPR (HLTAID009), you will still need to renew your CPR component annually in the years between your full renewal.

In practice, a typical compliance schedule looks like this:

Does My Certificate Actually “Expire”?

Technically, a Statement of Attainment is a permanent record that a qualification was achieved — it does not expire. However, competency is considered to lapse after the recommended renewal period. This means:

• ·Employers can require renewal as a condition of employment
• ·Industry regulators (e.g. ASQA, ACECQA for childcare) can require currency
• ·Insurers may not cover incidents involving a person whose certificate is overdue for renewal
• ·In practice, most workplaces treat a certificate as 'expired' after 12 months (CPR) or 3 years (First Aid)

Industry-Specific Requirements

Some industries have stricter or more specific requirements than the general recommendations:

• ·Childcare & early education: HLTAID012 every 3 years + HLTAID009 annually (ACECQA requirement)
• ·Construction (White Card trades): first aid officer requirements vary by site size
• ·Mining and resources: often require more frequent renewal
• ·Healthcare settings: employer-specific requirements may exceed general recommendations

Always check your specific industry's requirements and your employer's policy — these take precedence over general recommendations.

How to Check If Your Certificate Is Current

Check the date on your Statement of Attainment. If your CPR was completed more than 12 months ago, or your First Aid more than 3 years ago, it's time to renew. You can also check your training record through your USI transcript at usi.gov.au, which lists all nationally recognised training you've completed.

Renewing Your Certificate in Canberra

Renewal courses are the same as the original courses — there is no separate “renewal” format. Simply book the relevant course at our Phillip venue. CPR renewal (HLTAID009) takes 1.5 hours, First Aid renewal (HLTAID011) takes 3 hours. Courses run Monday to Friday with morning and afternoon sessions available.