If you’ve recently been certified as a first aider, you may be wondering how long your training is valid for. You may also wonder why experts recommend that you renew your first aid certificates at all.
In this article, we’ll answer each of these questions in detail and show you where to find the best courses to keep your first-aid skills up-to-date.
Does a first aid certificate expire?
While first aid certificates don’t have an official expiry date, most workplaces follow government-regulated guidelines when it comes to first aid training. This ensures that the business remains compliant with the workplace compliance code.
A first aider in the workplace is classified as someone in the workplace that has completed the necessary training that gives them the competencies required to deliver first aid. Businesses are required by law to make sure they have an active, up-to-date first aider in the workplace who can handle any emergency situations that arise.
Workplace obligations typically require certified first aiders to complete first aid refresher courses at set intervals to ensure that their knowledge is up-to-date and relevant.
How long does a first aid certificate last?
For most nationally recognised training courses, it is recommended that you renew your first aid certificate every three years. Certificates for workplace first aiders will expire after this length of time.
However, depending on the content of the first aid course and the individual needs of your employer, you may be required to refresh your training more frequently than this. Let’s look at some common courses and their recommended renewal intervals.
HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
This nationally accredited training course gives the trainee the basic knowledge required to perform CPR, use a defibrillator and take charge of medical situations until help arrives.
The Australian resuscitation council (ARC) recommends renewing the CPR training certificate with a refresher course once every 12 months.
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
The HLTAID011 is the fundamental course for first aid compliance in the workplace. The course teaches the basic skills required to initiate an emergency first aid response, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, provide basic emergency life support, and control casualties until medical help arrives.
The ARC advises that the HLTAID011 course should be renewed every 36 months (3 years). As the course also includes the course content from HLTAID009, the ARC recommends that you renew your HLTAID009 CPR certificates on a yearly basis.
HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
The HLTAID012 First Aid course gives you the first aid skills to tackle emergencies in an education and care setting. The program will teach you how to handle anaphylaxis and allergies. It will also give you the knowledge to control bleeding and perform CPR.
The ARC recommends renewing the HLTAID012 course every 36 months (3 years) As with all other courses containing CPR training, it is recommended that the first aider renews the CPR component of the course once every 12 months.
Why do I need to refresh my first aid training?
It’s common to wonder why your first aid certification isn’t valid for a lifetime. Unfortunately, first aid knowledge doesn’t last forever. Completing refresher first aid courses is the easiest way to ensure you’re always ready for the worst case scenario. Let’s look at some of the core reasons you should regularly renew your first aid certificates.
To keep up-to-date with first aid best practice
As new medical discoveries are made, guidelines are continually updated. This means that first aid best practices are regularly updated to match new advancements. For example, in July 2021 all of the HLTAID courses were updated to reflect a modernised approach to first aid.
A first aid refresher course lets you learn of any changes and ensures your knowledge is always up-to-date.
To prevent existing knowledge from fading
One of the challenges of first aid training is that you (hopefully) rarely need to put your skills into action. If you haven’t had to use your first aid knowledge for a long time, it’s likely that you’ll have forgotten some key details you learned in training. Unfortunately, when it’s time to provide first aid, details matter. Having your knowledge refreshed and up-to-date could save a life.
Taking a regular refresher course keeps your skills sharp and your knowledge fresh, allowing you to provide an emergency first aid response without hesitation when the need arises.
To keep in line with workplace requirements
Most businesses in Australia are required by law to have a certified first aid giver in the workplace.
The first aid officer is required to attend regular refresher courses to keep their skills up to date. This ensures the trainee is prepared and ready to act without hesitation when delivering first aid in the workplace.
To build your confidence
Responding to a first aid emergency requires speed, efficiency and confidence. You need to be comfortable handling pressure and putting your skills into action at a moment’s notice.
Having a regular first aid refresher gives you the confidence you need to carry out necessary protocols quickly and calmly.
What will a first aid refresher course teach me?
A refresher first aid course will recap all of the knowledge that a trainee learned on their previous courses. As the knowledge is simply being recapped, it may be delivered in a fast-paced, streamlined style. However, following workplace compliance code you may be required to complete the same course you completed originally.
A first aid refresher course will get you up to speed on any recent medical developments that you should be aware of. You may be taught new first aid methods and introduced to new scenarios in line with updated best practices.
How long does a first aid refresher course take?
The length of time required to complete a first aid refresher course will vary depending on the type of course and the registered training organisation you get the course from. Most first aid refresher courses will take between 7-10 hours to complete, but the HLTAID009 CPR course can be completed in 2-3 hours.
How do I know if I need to renew my first aid certificates?
It can be tough to remember exactly when you last took first aid training, especially if it’s been over two years since your last course. After you complete a course, you should receive paperwork or an email that contains the exact date you completed your course. If in doubt, check your certificate to see when you’re due a renewal.
Where do I go to complete a first aid certificate?
Here at Sage Education, we provide top-class, nationally recognised HLTAID009, HLTAID011 and HLTAID012 first aid courses in and around the Brisbane area. Since our launch in 1998, we’ve helped over 3000 successful applicants graduate with first-class certificates in a variety of care subjects.
Across our range of first aid courses, we’ll teach you how to respond to allergic reactions, handle anaphylaxis, deliver CPR and more. Our accredited courses will provide you with the certifications you need to provide an emergency first aid response in a variety of settings.
Our first aid courses are split into two parts, the first being a study from home, and the second being a face-to-face practice seminar. We empower our applications with the skills and support they need to thrive.
When you enrol with Sage, you’re enrolling with a diverse team that cares about valuable education. We believe in the power of hands-on training, and create first aid courses that apply to the real world. This gives you the confidence to take the skills you’ve learned and apply them to real situations., ensuring that you can take the skills you learn and apply them to the real world.
How do I get started with first aid?
Whether you’re itching to get started with a new career or simply need a refresher to touch up your first aid skills, we’ll make it our number one priority to give you the skills you need to succeed.Want to get in touch? Find more information about our accredited first aid courses here, or contact us directly to find out more.
