Sharon has 21+ years of experience as a qualified Emergency Care Nurse registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and 12+ years as a First Aid Trainer.
She takes pride in FirstAidPro making first aid training available, comprehensive and affordable to everybody.
Key Takeaways
- A Statement of Attainment (SoA) is the official AQF document an RTO issues when you complete units of competency that don’t make up a full qualification — like HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
- It is not a lesser certificate — for standalone CPR and first aid, it’s the correct, expected credential.
- Every compliant SoA must show the RTO name, code and logo, the NRT logo, your name, the unit code + title, and the date issued.
- Your USI is not printed on the document — it’s recorded on your USI transcript.
- The document doesn’t expire, but employers and WHS regulators recommend refreshing CPR every 12 months.
- Employers can verify your SoA via your USI transcript, the training.gov.au register, or by contacting the issuing RTO.
What Is a Statement of Attainment?
A Statement of Attainment is the formal VET (Vocational Education and Training) certification issued when you successfully complete one or more accredited units of competency that don’t amount to a full qualification.
According to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), a Statement of Attainment is issued when a student has “successfully completed a number of accredited units of study which do not amount to a full qualification.”
For CPR training, this means you’ve completed HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation — a nationally recognised unit of competency. Because CPR is a standalone unit (not a full qualification like a Certificate III), you receive a Statement of Attainment rather than a testamur.
Here’s the key point: a Statement of Attainment is not a lesser document. For standalone CPR and first aid units, it is the correct and expected certification under the AQF. It’s formal, nationally recognised proof that a Registered Training Organisation assessed you as competent on a specific date.
Only RTOs registered with ASQA (the Australian Skills Quality Authority) can legally issue a Statement of Attainment for nationally recognised training.
Statement of Attainment vs Certificate vs Qualification
This is where people get confused. Let’s clear it up.
| Document Type | What It Means | When You Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Statement of Attainment | Certifies you’ve completed specific units of competency that don’t make up a full qualification | After completing standalone units like HLTAID009 (CPR) or HLTAID011 (First Aid) |
| Testamur + Record of Results | The official certification that you’ve completed a full AQF qualification | After completing all required units of a qualification (e.g., Certificate III in Health Services) |
| “Certificate” | A colloquial catch-all term people use for any training document | Varies — could refer to either of the above |
According to ASQA, a testamur is “an official certification document that confirms that a qualification has been awarded to an individual.” You receive a testamur and record of results only when you complete all required units of a full AQF qualification.
A Statement of Attainment is issued when you complete units that form part of a qualification, or standalone units that don’t belong to a larger qualification pathway.
So is a Statement of Attainment “as good as” a certificate?
For CPR and first aid, yes — because the Statement of Attainment is your certificate. It’s the nationally recognised proof that you’re competent. When employers ask for your “CPR certificate,” they’re asking for your Statement of Attainment showing HLTAID009.
Your CPR Statement of Attainment, Decoded
Nobody shows you what the actual document means. Let’s fix that.
Every compliant Statement of Attainment must include specific mandatory fields. Here’s what to look for and where each element typically sits:
Mandatory Fields on Your Statement of Attainment
1. Issuing RTO Name, Code, and Logo
- Where: Usually in the header or footer
- Example: FirstAidPro (RTO 31124)
- Why it matters: This identifies the Registered Training Organisation that assessed and certified you. The RTO code (like 31124) is your key to verifying the organisation is legitimate.
2. NRT Logo (Nationally Recognised Training)
- Where: Prominently displayed, often near the header or alongside the RTO logo
- What it looks like: A distinctive tick-and-scroll design
- Why it matters: This registered trade mark signals the document represents genuine nationally recognised training under the AQF.
3. Your Full Name
- Where: Prominently displayed in the body of the document
- Why it matters: This is how the document is linked to you personally.
4. Unit National Code and Full Title
- Where: In the body, often in a table or list format
- Example: HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Why it matters: The unit code (HLTAID009) is what employers scan for. It’s the exact nationally recognised unit listed on training.gov.au and describes CPR performed in line with Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.
5. Date Issued
- Where: Near the unit details or at the bottom of the document
- Why it matters: This is your anchor date for CPR currency. Employers and WHS regulators use this to determine when you need to refresh your training.
What’s NOT on the Document: Your USI
You might notice your Unique Student Identifier (USI) doesn’t appear anywhere on your Statement of Attainment. This is intentional.
According to ASQA guidelines, “a student’s Unique Student Identifier must not be entered onto any official certification or results statement.”
Your USI is recorded against your training record in the national system, but it’s kept off the physical document for privacy. You can access your complete training history through your USI transcript.
What the NRT Logo and Unit Code Actually Mean
These two elements are the most-scanned marks on your Statement of Attainment. Here’s what they actually prove.
The NRT Logo
The Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) logo is more than decoration. According to ASQA’s NRT Logo Specifications, it’s “a distinguishable mark of quality for promoting and certifying national vocational education and training leading to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or Statements of Attainment.”
The NRT logo is a registered trade mark. Only RTOs registered with the national VET regulator can legally use it on certification documents. If you see this logo, it signals the training meets national standards and is recognised across Australia.
According to ASQA’s Integrity of NRT Products guidance, the NRT logo must appear on all AQF certification documentation issued by an RTO.
The Unit Code: HLTAID009
The unit code HLTAID009 is listed on the National Training Register (training.gov.au). It describes “the skills and knowledge required to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.”
When an employer asks for “current CPR,” they’re looking for this code (or HLTAID011, which includes CPR). The code proves you completed the nationally standardised CPR unit — not a generic or non-accredited course.
How Employers Verify a Statement of Attainment
Employers can verify any Statement of Attainment using these four methods:
Step 1: Check the USI Transcript
The most reliable verification method is through the student’s USI transcript. The USI Registry provides “access to your government authenticated USI VET transcript which records all nationally recognised training you’ve completed since 2015.”
According to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), the USI provides a government-authenticated record of all nationally recognised training. The student can share access to their transcript, or provide an official extract.
Step 2: Look Up the RTO on training.gov.au
Employers can verify the issuing RTO is legitimate by searching training.gov.au — the national register of VET.
For example, FirstAidPro (RTO 31124) is listed and Current on the register. Employers can confirm:
- The RTO’s registration status (Current, Expired, etc.)
- Whether the unit (like HLTAID009) is within the RTO’s scope of registration
An RTO can only issue Statements of Attainment for units within its registered scope.
Step 3: Contact the Issuing RTO
For additional confirmation, employers can contact the RTO directly. Legitimate RTOs maintain student records and can confirm whether they issued a specific Statement of Attainment.
Step 4: Understand ASQA’s Role
ASQA is the national VET regulator that registers RTOs and enforces compliance standards. If an employer has concerns about an RTO’s legitimacy, they can check ASQA’s public register or contact ASQA directly.
Does a Statement of Attainment Expire?
This is one of the most common questions — and most misunderstood topics.
The short answer: The document itself does not expire.
A Statement of Attainment is permanent evidence that you were assessed as competent in the named unit(s) on a specific date. There’s no “expiry date” field on the document, and no mechanism in the AQF or ASQA rules that causes the Statement to expire. Your USI transcript retains the record for life.
However, CPR currency is a separate matter.
While your Statement of Attainment remains valid indefinitely, workplace health and safety regulators recommend refreshing your CPR skills regularly.
Guidance from Safe Work Australia and state WHS regulators such as SafeWork NSW recommends that CPR refresher training be carried out each year, and that first aid qualifications be renewed every three years.
The HLTAID009 unit description on training.gov.au notes that refresher requirements “should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities.”
The industry standard:
- CPR (HLTAID009): Refresh every 12 months
- First Aid (HLTAID011): Refresh every 3 years
These are WHS regulator and industry recommendations — not a legal expiry stamped on your document. Many employers and industry bodies require current CPR as a condition of employment, which means your training must fall within the recommended currency window.
Lost Your Statement of Attainment? How to Replace It
If you’ve misplaced your Statement of Attainment, you have options.
Check your USI transcript first. Your USI account contains a record of all nationally recognised training you’ve completed since 1 January 2015. You can download or share this transcript as proof of your qualifications.
Contact the issuing RTO. The RTO that delivered your training maintains student records and can issue a replacement document. There may be an administrative fee for reissuing.
Trained with us? If you completed your training with FirstAidPro (RTO 31124), contact our team for a replacement. We issue Certificates Same Day* (T&Cs Apply) for current students and can arrange replacement documents for past participants.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about Statements of Attainment and CPR certification in Australia. It is not legal, medical, or compliance advice. For specific workplace requirements, consult your employer, relevant WHS regulator, or a qualified professional.
Recent Posts
What Is HLTAID009? Your Complete Guide to CPR Certification
CPR Certificate Renewal: When and How to Refresh Your Training
What Is a USI and Why Do You Need One for First Aid Training?
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid: What’s Covered and Who Needs It
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Statement of Attainment a Qualification?
No. A Statement of Attainment certifies that you’ve completed specific units of competency that don’t make up a full AQF qualification. According to the AQF, it’s issued when you complete accredited units that don’t amount to a full qualification. For standalone CPR or first aid, the Statement of Attainment is the correct and expected credential.
Does a CPR Statement of Attainment Expire?
The document itself doesn’t expire — it’s permanent proof you were competent on the issue date. However, WHS regulators like Safe Work Australia and SafeWork NSW recommend refreshing CPR training every 12 months to maintain workplace currency. Your employer may require proof of current CPR based on these guidelines.
How Do I Verify a Statement of Attainment?
You can verify a Statement of Attainment three ways: (1) Check the holder’s USI transcript for a government-authenticated training record; (2) Look up the issuing RTO on training.gov.au to confirm they’re registered and the unit is in their scope; (3) Contact the RTO directly to confirm they issued the document.
Why Isn’t My USI on the Certificate?
ASQA rules prohibit printing your Unique Student Identifier on any official certification or results statement. Your USI is recorded against your training record in the national system and appears on your USI transcript — not on the physical Statement of Attainment.
Is a Statement of Attainment the Same as a Certificate?
“Certificate” is a colloquial term people use for any training document. Technically, a Statement of Attainment certifies completion of individual units, while a testamur (formal certificate) certifies completion of a full AQF qualification. For standalone CPR (HLTAID009), the Statement of Attainment is your “certificate” — it’s the nationally recognised document.
What Unit Code Is on a CPR Certificate?
The current CPR unit code is HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. This is the nationally recognised unit listed on training.gov.au that describes CPR performed in line with Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines. This code should appear on your Statement of Attainment.
