In a NSW first, up to 100 people who recently completed first aid training have been given the opportunity to add an easily accessible digital version of their certificate to the Service NSW app.

The ground-breaking trial run by the NSW Department of Customer Service, in partnership with St John Ambulance NSW will see a group of employees, trainers, and volunteers offered the first ever Digital First Aid Certificates.

“We’re proud to be the first non-government organisation to participate in this initiative” says Dominic Teakle, CEO of St John Ambulance NSW.

The trial marks another major step towards for the NSW Governments implementation of the NSW’s Digital Identity and Verifiable Credential program, transforming the way people transact digitally in the state.

Participants who complete a specific first aid or CPR course with St John Ambulance NSW will have their first aid qualifications sent to the Digital Wallet on the Service NSW Mobile App.

Individual course credentials earned during first aid training may also be included in Digital First Aid Certificate product, giving future users choice over which units of learning they want to share.

Mr Teakle states “Just as we’ve been at the forefront of first aid training innovation for over 140 years, St John Ambulance is excited to lead the way in how people receive and manage their first aid certifications.”

Currently there are around 860,000 current First Aid Certificate holders in NSW.

Once the simulation phase of the Digital First Aid Certificate trial finishes, the third-party verification features of verifiable credentials will be further tested with organisations as part of a broader pilot.

As more verifiable credentials are added to the Service NSW Digital Wallet it is expected to help millions around NSW and Australia share their information conveniently while ensuring it is better protected.

For instance, a nurse with a digital first aid qualification could share it with an employer or other organisation while giving them the option to withhold other personal information.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib states “We’re simplifying the processes needed to store and share digital identification documents, and the new Digital First Aid Certificate is going to help people across the state, including our hardworking medical professionals.”

The launch of the Digital First Aid Certificate will help people around NSW and Australia easily access and share the important credential with employers and other organisations.

Mr Teakle states “A digital first aid certificate will mean a better experience for students and employers, but also helps the Vocational Education and Training (VET) industry to progress in the digital space.”   

For more information about the NSW Digital Identity and Verifiable Credential program, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/nsw-digital-id