First Aid Qualifications

To meet the First Aid requirements under either the 1998 regulations or 2008 regulations the Ministry of Education recognises any First Aid qualification from courses that:

1. are delivered by a New Zealand Qualifications Authority accredited first aid provider; and
2. meet the minimum requirements of Unit Standard 6400 (or the successor to that Unit Standard); and
3. are evidenced by a certificate issued by the trainer that is valid for a period of up to 2 years following qualification; and
4. require a refresher course every 2 years to maintain the certificate as current.

For centres operating under the 1998 regulations all previous Gazette Notices relating to regulation 25(3) remain in force. Anyone holding a current First Aid Certificate meeting these requirements, or a previously recognised qualification, can therefore be included in the count towards meeting 1998 regulation 25(3).

If you hold a current First Aid Certificate meeting the requirements above you can also be included in the count towards meeting 2008 regulation 46(1)(a).

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority maintains the list of currently accredited First Aid course providers who meet the Unit Standard 6400.  A provider accredited to ‘Core Health (to level 3 and above)’ includes recognition that the provider is able to deliver the requirements of Unit Standard 6400.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my current First Aid Certificate valid?

Anyone holding a current First Aid Certificate meeting the above requirements, or a previously recognised qualification, can be included in the count towards meeting 1998 regulation 25(3).

Will my current First Aid Certificate meet the requirements of the 2008 regulations?

The 2008 regulatory requirements will only apply to your service once it has been licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.

Under the 2008 regulatory framework, services need to ensure that:

There is an adult present at all times while children are attending who either:

• holds a current First Aid qualification meeting the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour; or
• is a registered medical practitioner or nurse with a current practising certificate; or
• is a qualified ambulance officer or paramedic.

If a child is injured, any required first aid is administered or supervised by an adult meeting these qualification requirements.

To meet the 2008 regulations your First Aid course provider, and your subsequent First Aid qualification, must meet the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour. The detail of what is required by the Department of Labour is outlined above.

You may wish to visit the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website to view the list of currently accredited First Aid course providers who meet the Unit Standard 6400. A provider accredited to ‘Core Health (to level 3 and above)’ includes recognition that the provider meets the requirements of Unit Standard 6400.

What are the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour?

The requirements above summarise the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour. The Occupational Safety and Health Service, operated by the Department of Labour, has developed a publication that provides information about meeting the first aid requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

My First Aid Certificate needs to be renewed; can I use the same First Aid course provider?

Early childhood education teachers who need to renew their First Aid Certificate are required to obtain their new certificate from a provider who meets the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour. The detail of what is required by the Department of Labour is outlined above.

To ensure your provider meets these requirements, you may wish to visit the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website to view the list of currently accredited First Aid course providers who meet the Unit Standard 6400. A provider accredited to ‘Core Health (to level 3 and above)’ includes recognition that the provider meets the requirements of Unit Standard 6400.

I don’t currently have a First Aid Certificate; where can I find a list of courses?

Early childhood education teachers currently wanting to get a First Aid Certificate are required to obtain a certificate from a provider who meets the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour. The detail of what is required by the Department of Labour is outlined above.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority maintains a list of currently accredited First Aid course providers who meet the Unit Standard 6400. Unit Standard 6400 is the current minimum requirement for the Department of Labour. A provider accredited to ‘Core Health (to level 3 and above)’ includes recognition that the provider meets the requirements of Unit Standard 6400.

Where can I find a list of First Aid course providers who meet these requirements?

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority maintains a list of currently accredited First Aid course providers who meet the Unit Standard 6400. Unit Standard 6400 is the current minimum requirement for the Department of Labour. A provider accredited to ‘Core Health (to level 3 and above)’ includes recognition that the provider meets the requirements of Unit Standard 6400.

Am I required to have a First Aid Certificate?

If your service is licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998:

"The licensee of a licensed centre must ensure that there is at the centre, at all times while children are attending, at least 1 staff member who holds a current first-aid certificate, or some other qualification recognised by the Secretary for the purpose."

If your service is licensed under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 the licensing criteria for your service type state:

"There is an adult present at all times while children are attending who either:

• holds a current First Aid qualification meeting the training requirements outlined by the Department of Labour; or
• is a registered medical practitioner or nurse with a current practising certificate; or
• is a qualified ambulance officer or paramedic.

If a child is injured, any required first aid is administered or supervised by an adult meeting these qualification requirements."