How much does a First Aid at Work (3-day) course cost?

The full First Aid at Work qualification costs £1,300 per group of up to 12 delegates with Skills 42U — under £109 per person for a full group. It covers three days, is delivered on-site at your premises, and the Level 3 certificate is valid for 3 years.

Can I claim first aid training as a business expense?

Yes. First aid training required to comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 is a legitimate business expense for tax purposes. Consult your accountant, but in practice virtually all employer-funded workplace first aid training qualifies for full deduction against taxable profits.

How Much Does First Aid Training Cost in the UK?

Q: How much does an Emergency First Aid at Work course cost?

With Skills 42U, EFAW costs £495 per group of up to 12 delegates — under £42 per person when a full group attends. The course is one day (6 hours) and is delivered at your premises anywhere in Kent and the South East, with all equipment and same-day certificates included.

Q: Is first aid training VAT-exempt?

Yes. Under HMRC guidance, vocational training that leads to a regulated qualification is exempt from VAT. Both EFAW (Level 2) and First Aid at Work (Level 3) are Ofqual-regulated awards, so Skills 42U prices are not subject to VAT — the price you see is the price you pay.

Q: Does the number of delegates affect the price?

With Skills 42U, pricing is per group rather than per person — you pay one fixed price for up to 12 delegates. Whether you send 4 people or 12, the cost is the same. This makes on-site group training significantly cheaper per head than sending individuals to open public courses, which typically charge £110–£250 per person.

First aid training costs in the UK vary from under £40 per person to over £300, depending on the qualification level, provider, and delivery format. For employers trying to budget accurately, the key distinction is between open public courses (you send individuals to a venue) and on-site group training (the trainer comes to you). For businesses with more than three or four staff to train, on-site group training is almost always significantly cheaper per head.

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Cost

EFAW is a one-day (6-hour) Level 2 qualification suitable for most offices, retail environments, schools, and lower-hazard workplaces. It covers CPR, AED use, choking, bleeding, burns, and shock. The certificate is valid for 3 years.

Typical EFAW pricing in the UK (2026):

Option	Cost	Best for
Open public course (per person)	£110–£250	1–2 individuals
On-site group training — Skills 42U	£495 per group (up to 12)	3+ staff to train
Per-person cost (full group of 12)	Under £42	Best value scenario

The Skills 42U on-site EFAW price includes the trainer travelling to your Kent or South East premises, all training equipment (CPR manikins, AED trainers, dressings), and certificates issued on the day. There are no hidden extras and no VAT — Ofqual-regulated training is VAT-exempt.

First Aid at Work (FAW) Cost — 3-Day Course

The full First Aid at Work qualification is a Level 3 award spanning three days (18 hours). It is required for higher-hazard workplaces — construction, warehousing, manufacturing, and any site with significant physical risks. See our guide to EFAW vs First Aid at Work if you are unsure which your business needs.

Option	Cost	Best for
Open public course (per person)	£250–£400	1–2 individuals
On-site group training — Skills 42U	£1,300 per group (up to 12)	3+ staff to train
Per-person cost (full group of 12)	Under £109	Best value scenario

Three consecutive days at your premises, all equipment included, Level 3 certificate valid 3 years. No travelling to a public venue, no staff time lost to commuting, and no hidden costs.

Paediatric First Aid Cost

Paediatric First Aid is a separate two-day qualification required by Ofsted for all staff in nurseries, after-school clubs, childminders, and settings caring for children under 5. It is not a substitute for EFAW and vice versa — if your childcare staff need both, they must complete both courses.

Option	Cost	Note
Open public course (per person)	£180–£320	2-day course
On-site group training — Skills 42U	£900 per group (up to 12)	2 days at your setting
Per-person cost (full group of 12)	£75	Ofsted-accepted certificate

What Factors Affect the Price You Pay?

1. Course level and duration: EFAW (1 day) costs less than FAW (3 days), which costs less than combined or specialist courses. This is the biggest single factor.

2. Open vs on-site: Open public courses charge per person — typically £110–£400 depending on qualification. On-site group training charges a flat fee for the group, making it much cheaper per head when you have four or more delegates.

3. Location and travel: Some providers charge travel on top of the course fee, particularly for remote locations. Skills 42U includes travel within Kent and the South East in the group price — no surcharges for reaching sites across Medway, Maidstone, Dartford, or further into Kent.

4. Accreditation body: All HSE-compliant first aid qualifications must be Ofqual-regulated. Be wary of very cheap courses that are not regulated — they will not satisfy an HSE inspection or Ofsted visit.

5. VAT: Ofqual-regulated training is VAT-exempt under HMRC rules. Some providers add VAT to ancillary services (materials, admin fees) even when the training itself is exempt — check what is included in any quote you receive.

How to Get the Best Value — Practical Tips for Employers

Fill the group: On-site training with Skills 42U costs £495 regardless of whether you send 4 or 12 delegates. If you can pull together a full group — combining different teams or departments — the cost per person drops dramatically.
Stagger renewals sensibly: If you have 24 staff with certificates expiring at different dates, two full groups trained 18 months apart is cheaper than sending individuals to open courses on a rolling basis.
Don't over-train: Not every employee needs a full First Aid at Work certificate. A correct needs assessment — something we provide free as part of any enquiry — ensures you buy the right course, not the most expensive one.
Check your insurer: Some commercial insurers offer a small premium discount for businesses with documented, up-to-date first aid provision. Ask your broker whether holding Ofqual-regulated certificates affects your policy.

Summary: First Aid Training Cost UK 2026

Course	Duration	Skills 42U Price	Per Person (12 delegates)
EFAW	1 day	£495 per group	<£42
Paediatric First Aid	2 days	£900 per group	£75
First Aid at Work (FAW)	3 days	£1,300 per group	<£109

All prices are for on-site group training at your premises in Kent or the South East. No VAT. No travel surcharge. Certificates issued same day. Call 07481 344486 or use the form below for a fixed quote within 2 hours.

FAQs

Common questions about first aid training costs

With Skills 42U, EFAW costs £495 per group of up to 12 delegates — under £42 per person when a full group attends. The course is one day (6 hours) and is delivered at your premises anywhere in Kent and the South East, with all equipment and same-day certificates included.

The full First Aid at Work qualification costs £1,300 per group of up to 12 delegates — under £109 per person for a full group. It runs over three days at your premises and the Level 3 certificate is valid for 3 years.

Yes. Under HMRC guidance, vocational training that leads to a regulated qualification is exempt from VAT. Both EFAW (Level 2) and First Aid at Work (Level 3) are Ofqual-regulated awards, so Skills 42U prices are not subject to VAT — the price you see is the price you pay.

Yes. First aid training required to comply with the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 is a legitimate business expense. In practice, virtually all employer-funded workplace first aid training qualifies for full deduction against taxable profits — confirm with your accountant.

With Skills 42U, pricing is per group — you pay one fixed price for up to 12 delegates. Whether you send 4 people or 12, the cost is the same. This makes on-site group training significantly cheaper per head than sending individuals to open public courses, which typically charge £110–£250 per person for EFAW.

Get in Touch

Book Your First Aid Course

Tell us your location and team size and we'll recommend the right course and send a fixed quote — no obligation, no hard sell.

📞

Phone

07481 344486

💌

Email

Email us

📍

Coverage

Kent & the South East — we come to your premises

Loading enquiry form…

How Much Does First Aid Training Cost in the UK? A Complete Employer's Guide