How Long Does a First Aid Certificate Last in Australia?

The short answer

CPR: refresh every year.
First aid: renew every three years.

Both intervals come from the workplace first aid code of practice. In WA the code reads: “Refresher training in CPR should be carried out annually and first aid qualifications should be renewed every three years” (WorkSafe WA). The SafeWork NSW code says the same thing. St John uses the same intervals on its course pages, saying first aid skills are renewed every 3 years and resuscitation skills every 12 months (St John Queensland).

Where the three-year rule comes from

Safe Work Australia publishes a model code of practice on first aid in the workplace, and the states adopt it. The code uses “should”, which it defines as a recommended course of action, and it tells readers to check with their local regulator about whether the code has legal effect where they work.

The training unit does not set an expiry either. The HLTAID011 page on training.gov.au says requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the national, state or territory work health and safety regulators. So your statement of attainment shows the date you passed, and the code of practice, your employer or your industry decides when you need to do it again.

Which unit codes are current

These first aid units are listed as current on training.gov.au. All were released on 16 October 2020, with HLTAID012 and HLTAID015 on a second release dated 7 December 2021.

Code	Title
HLTAID009	Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
HLTAID010	Provide basic emergency life support
HLTAID011	Provide First Aid
HLTAID012	Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
HLTAID014	Provide Advanced First Aid
HLTAID015	Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy

The older HLTAID003 Provide first aid is listed as superseded, with a currency period that ended in October 2020. If your certificate says HLTAID003, it is more than three years old and past the renewal guideline.

First aid on mine sites

In Queensland coal mining, the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 requires a sufficient number of people competent in giving first aid, and appropriate first aid training including refresher training. It does not name an interval, so check what your site asks for.

In Western Australia, WorkSafe WA says its first aid code applies to all workplaces covered by the general WHS regulations and the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022. So the same one-year CPR and three-year first aid guideline covers WA mine sites.

If a job ad asks for first aid, make sure yours is current before you apply. Our how to get into mining guide covers the other tickets employers ask for.

Childcare and education

ACECQA says first aid qualifications should be renewed every three years and CPR refresher training done every year. Since 1 October 2023 it has set currency periods for each unit: a qualification is current if done within the previous three years, except emergency life support and CPR training, which must be done within the previous year.

Renewing your certificate

You renew by completing the unit again with a registered training organisation. In Queensland, St John’s full-day Provide First Aid course was listed at $189, covering HLTAID011, HLTAID009 and HLTAID010. Its 2.5-hour CPR course was listed at $79. Prices vary by provider and state.

See our first aid course page for course length and providers in mining areas.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a first aid certificate last in Australia?

The workplace first aid code of practice says first aid qualifications should be renewed every three years and CPR refresher training should be done every year. WorkSafe WA and SafeWork NSW both publish that wording. Employers and industry rules set what they accept, so check with your employer or site.

Does the HLTAID011 statement of attainment have an expiry date?

The unit itself does not set one. The HLTAID011 page on training.gov.au says refresher requirements should be obtained from the work health and safety regulators. The three-year renewal comes from the code of practice, not from the unit.

How often do I need to redo CPR?

Every year, under the code of practice. CPR is covered by HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and St John says resuscitation skills are renewed every 12 months.

Is HLTAID003 still valid?

HLTAID003 Provide first aid is listed as superseded on training.gov.au. Whether an older HLTAID003 certificate is still accepted is up to your employer or regulator, but under the three-year guideline any HLTAID003 certificate would be overdue for renewal by now.

Do mine sites have their own first aid renewal rules?

Queensland's Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 requires appropriate first aid training, including refresher training, but does not set an interval. WorkSafe WA says its code applies to workplaces under both the general and mines WHS regulations. Individual sites can ask for more.

How long does first aid last for childcare workers?

ACECQA says first aid qualifications should be renewed every three years and CPR every year. For education and care, it says qualifications count as current if done in the previous three years, while CPR and emergency life support must be done within the previous year.

Sources

Last updated 13 October 2026. Facts on this page come from the sources below.

The sources are regulator, legislation and training register pages read on 13 October 2026. Prices from St John Queensland were shown on its course pages on that date and can change.

How Long Does a First Aid Certificate Last? CPR Yearly, First Aid Every Three Years