FAQs What is first aid?
First aid is the first help or treatment given to a sick or injured person. It has been shown that early recognition of an emergency and early action is very important in saving lives and aiding recovery.

How often does my certificate need to be renewed?
First Aid certificates must be renewed every two years to ensure that certification remains valid and skills are current.  Some industries require their members to revalidate even more frequently.

If my first aid certificate expired six months ago, do I need another course?
Yes you do, New Zealand Red Cross allows people to revalidate their certificate up to three months after expiry date, however after this time a full course is required.

Does New Zealand Red Cross run courses throughout the country?
Yes, click here to see a map of where public courses are run in New Zealand.
Our courses and teaching curriculum are standard throughout New Zealand. A first aid course completed in one region can be revalidated in another region if necessary.

How is the first aid training delivered?
You can attend any of our scheduled public courses throughout the country or you can arrange for us to come to your organisation, place of business or location convenient to you.

Student Entry Criteria - Minimum Levels
Procedures to ensure student capability and the health and safety of the student and others

Levels 1, 2 and 3 Must be able to Ensure Compliance by 

Communication skills
Literacy and numeracy

Show they have basic ability to speak and understand English show that their communications and literacy and numeracy skills meet the level of the course they wish to attend, or above. 

  • Check the participants NZQA Record of Learning for other L1,2 or 3 subject completions, or
  • Completion of Course Enrolment form AND completion of the NZQA section; OR have identified their highest academic achievement as being equivalent to the level of the course they wish to attend.
  • Have achieved any required pre-requisite unit standards.

Physical abilities

L1 & 2 - Must be able to perform CPR and place casualty in recovery position.


L3 - And be strong enough to move a casualty from danger safely.

  • Be physically able to perform CPR or have an appropriate level of fitness.
  • Hold a position requiring an appropriate level of fitness to perform CPR, placing a person in the recovery position or moving a casualty from danger.