Level 3, 5 credits

Toitū te Waiora is pleased to announce that its first aid micro-credential Manage first aid in an emergency situation (Micro-Credential) has been approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (‘NZQA’) and is now listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (‘NZQCF’).

You can access the micro-credential by clicking this link Manage first aid in an emergency situation (micro-credential)

This is the first nationally recognised first aid micro-credential to be listed on the NZQCF, and over time will replace existing first aid training schemes. The micro-credential can be awarded to a learner who has completed unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402, and can be reported on the learner’s NZQA Record of Achievement alongside the unit standards.

On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners/ākonga will have the essential knowledge and skills required to enable effective responses to a range of first aid emergency situations and providing care when needed. They will be skilled in assessing and managing an accident scene and determining the severity of a person’s condition, and in treating a range of common injuries and life-threatening medical emergencies.

Gaining accreditation from NZQA to deliver and award the micro-credential

Providers will require consent to assess against unit standards 6402 – Provide basic life support (version 9), 6401 – Provide first aid (version 7), and 6400 – Manage first aid in an emergency situation (version 7 or 8).

Providers are expected to design a micro-credential that includes delivery mode/method and a breakdown of teaching and learning hours.  This could offer learners self-directed options including: a) background reading and resources relating to managing basic first aid, b) a range of training scenarios, and c) online tests for self-testing competencies.

Providers are encouraged to read through NZQA’s Guidelines for micro-credential listing, approval, and accreditation prior to making an application, and should also consult with Toitū te Waiora in respect to:

• requirements for entry, sequence, or integration of practical work and theory components;
• acceptable delivery modes and/or methods, and assessment methods;
• learning or assessment materials available for use, recommended, or other guidance for the development and design of resources.

Please note that Toitū te Waiora does not provide any teaching or learning materials for this micro-credential.

Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Micro-credential Basics

NZQA intends to manage the process of transferring approved first aid training schemes to the new micro-credential in early 2026. If you have any questions about this process, please approach your NZQA contact person.

• Providers who rely on awarding first aid training scheme to satisfy NZQA registration requirements will need to move to the micro-credential in order to maintain NZQA registration, or obtain approval and accreditation for another qualification or micro-credential listed on the NZQCF.
• Providers who deliver and award an approved first aid training scheme that only assesses against 6401 and 6402 will either have to adopt the new micro-credential (and assess 6400 along with 6401 and 6402), or award ‘local’ certification.
• There is no intention at present to develop a micro-credential to replace existing training schemes assessed only by 6401 and 6402, but this will be re-considered in the forthcoming review of first aid standards provision.
• Providers who wish to replace existing training schemes with the micro-credential will therefore be required to assess against unit standards 6400, 6401, and 6402.

Q&A First Aid Micro-credential

NZQA listing: – govt.nz/nzqf/search/displayMicrocredentialOverViewWidgetJS.do?&selectedItemKey=5084

Q: Will it be compulsory for all providers to award the micro-credential?

A: No. The decision on whether to seek accreditation for the micro-credential rests entirely with the provider.

Q: Can providers continue to report unit standard completion and not award the micro-credential?

A: Yes. Providers can continue to assess and report against the unit standards, and make decisions on awarding ‘local’ certification as they see fit.

Q: CMR 0230 and the micro-credential approval document states a minimum duration of 12 hours of training and assessment. However, duration of the micro-credential is notionally 50 hours. How are the intervening 38 hours expected to be filled?

A: The micro-credential is five credits because award of unit standards 6400, 6401, and 6402 amounts to five credits. At present, the micro-credential and unit standards share the same credit even though in reality most providers award unit standards based on 12 hours of training and assessment.

The issue of unit standard and micro-credential credits is leading to a comprehensive review of first aid provision later in 2025.

In relation to the ’38-hour gap’, we encourage providers to contact us to discuss potential approaches at [email protected]

You can access an accessible word document of the micro-credential basics and Q&A here

You can view the NZQCF micro credential here.