First aid legislation in Australia

Australian first aid legislation for commercial and public spaces varies by state and territory, despite a national Work Health and Safety (WHS) framework. This means requirements for trained first aiders, kit contents, and facilities differ based on factors like workplace hazards and occupancy. This section outlines the specific first aid legislation for each Australian state and territory, helping you ensure compliance and workplace safety.

Requirements for Victoria-based businesses:

• First-aid kit on site – Every Victorian workplace, school, shop or public venue must have a clearly signed, fully stocked kit under the OHS Regulations 2017 (Part 4.3) and WorkSafe’s First Aid in the Workplace Compliance Code 2021. 

• Risk-based extras – Add eye-wash, burns modules or a dedicated first-aid room where hazards are higher or you have > 200 people on site (or > 100 in high-risk work). 

• Trained first-aiders – Guideline ratios: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk), 1 per 25 (high-risk) and 1 per 10 (remote/high-risk).

• AEDs: best practice, not law (yet) – WorkSafe says you should consider installing a defibrillator where crowd size, hazard level or ambulance delay make it prudent; there is no blanket mandate. 

• Register & maintain if installed – List your AED on the Ambulance Victoria register, add green/white signage and check pads & batteries monthly. 

• Schools & education – Principals are advised to include an AED when risk assessments warrant it; units need monthly checks and annual refresher training.

Requirements for New South Wales-based businesses

• First-aid kit on site – Every NSW workplace, school, shop or public venue must have a clearly-signed, fully stocked kit under the Work Health & Safety Regulation 2017 (r.42) and the state First-Aid Code. 

• Risk-based extras – Add eye-wash, burns modules or a dedicated first-aid room where hazards are higher or you have > 200 people on site (or > 100 in high-risk work).

• Trained first-aiders – Guideline ratios: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk), 1 per 25 (high-risk) and 1 per 10 (remote/high-risk). 

• AEDs: best-practice, not law (yet) – The NSW Code says you should consider an automated defibrillator where electrocution risk, large crowds or ambulance delays exist; there’s no blanket mandate. 

• Register & maintain if installed – List your AED on the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry, display green/white signage and check pads & batteries monthly. 

Requirements for South Australia-based businesses

• First-Aid Kit on site – Every SA workplace, public venue, school or shop must have an easily-found kit stocked to the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice standard. 

• Extra facilities when risk demands – Add eye-wash, burns modules or a full first-aid room if high-risk or > 200 workers. 

• Trained first-aiders on duty – Minimum ratios: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk); 1 per 25 (high-risk); 1 per 10 (remote high-risk). 

• Document & log – Record first-aid arrangements and incidents as part of your WHS emergency plan. 

• NEW AED Law – The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 (the Act) mandates the requirement for owners of relevant buildings, facilities, or vehicles to install AED's. 

  One publicly-accessible automated defibrillator (AED) required in all public-access buildings, facilities & prescribed vehicles. Deadlines: Crown sites 1 Jan 2025; everyone else 1 Jan 2026. 

• Register, signpost, maintain – List each AED on the SA Ambulance (GoodSAM) register, display green/white signage, and check pads/batteries monthly (non-compliance fines up to $20 000).

Requirements for Queensland-based businesses

• First-aid kit on site – Every Queensland workplace, school, shop or public venue must provide a clearly marked, stocked kit under Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011 (r.42) and the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021. 

• Risk-based extras – Add eye-wash, burns modules or even a dedicated first-aid room where hazards are higher or you have >200 people on site. 

• Trained first-aiders – Guideline ratios: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk), 1 per 25 (high-risk) and 1 per 10 (remote/high-risk). 

• AEDs: best-practice, not law (yet) – The Queensland Code of Practice says you should consider a defibrillator where crowd size, hazard level or ambulance delay make it prudent; there is no blanket mandate or deadline. 

• Register & maintain if installed – List your AED on the Queensland Ambulance Service register, add green/white signage and check pads & batteries monthly.

Requirements for Tasmania-based businesses

• First-aid kit on site – Every Tasmanian workplace, school, shop or public venue must have a clearly signed, fully stocked kit, as set out in the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice and WHS Regulations 2022 (r.42). 

• Risk-based extras – Add eye-wash, burns modules or a dedicated first-aid room where hazards are higher or you have > 200 people on site (or > 100 in high-risk work). 

• Trained first-aiders – Recommended ratios: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk), 1 per 25 (high-risk) and 1 per 10 (remote/high-risk). 

• AEDs: best practice, not law (yet) – No statewide mandate, but the Tasmanian Government’s Community Defibrillator Fund and WorkSafe guidance strongly encourage installing AEDs where crowd size, hazard level or ambulance delays warrant it. 

• Register & maintain if installed – List your AED on the Ambulance Tasmania GoodSAM register, display green/white signage and check pads & batteries monthly. 

Requirements for Western Australia-based businesses

• First-aid kit on site – Every WA workplace, school, shop or public venue must keep a clearly-signed, fully stocked kit under the WHS (General) Regulations 2022 r.42 and WorkSafe’s First-Aid Code.

• Risk-based extras – Add eye-wash, burns modules or a dedicated first-aid room where hazards are higher or more than 200 people are on site. 

• Trained first-aiders ready – Guideline minimum: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk), 1 per 25 (high-risk) and 1 per 10 (remote/high-risk) as outlined in WorkSafe’s Code of Practice. 

• AEDs: best practice, not law (yet) – WA encourages AEDs where crowd size, hazard level or ambulance delay warrant them; public schools must have at least one AED by 30 June 2024. 

• Register & maintain if installed – List your device with St John WA’s Community First Responder program, display green/white signage and check pads & batteries monthly. 

Requirements for Northern Territory-based businesses

• First-aid kit on site – Every NT workplace, shop, school or public venue must keep a clearly-signed, fully stocked kit under WHS (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 r.42 and the NT First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2020. 

• Risk-based extras – Add eye-wash stations, burns modules or a dedicated first-aid room where hazards are higher or more than 200 people are on site, as advised by the Code. 

• Trained first-aiders – Recommended minimum: 1 per 50 workers (low-risk), 1 per 25 (high-risk) and 1 per 10 (remote/high-risk). 

• AEDs: best practice, not law – No Territory-wide mandate yet, but the NT Code and St John NT Heart Grant program strongly encourage defibrillators, especially in remote areas where ambulance response may be delayed. 

• Register & maintain if installed – List your AED with the St John NT/Triple Zero register, display green-and-white signage, and check pads & batteries monthly.

How are we different?

Initial offers a range of first aid kits that can be tailored specific to the varying needs of our customers. We take the onus off the business owner to ensure that first aid kits are replenished, in date and maintained. Initial will manage the inventory, audit expiration dates and ensure that all components of the First Aid Kit(s) on premise are always compliant with Health & Safety regulations.

Agility of our service

The size and reach of our service operation allows us to offer a tailored service offering to each customer. Some customers will require one first aid kit or defibrillator on site because of company size, whereas our larger customers that perhaps engage in more hazardous industries may require multiple first aid kits offering more specific first aid components.

How are our products different?

We offer standard and modular first aid kits that can be customised depending on the nature of the business or risks associated with specific labour related workload - customised first aid kits containing burn packs may be required in a catering environment, whereas snakebite kits may be more appropriate for those operating businesses where there labour force work in high risk outdoor environments.

Who we service

We support customers across Australia. We have a 470+ strong team of Initial service technicians located throughout the country that allows us to tailor frequency of replenishment visits to your individual needs. Because our first aid kits are modular, we are capable of servicing the first aid requirements of customers across the widest range of industries

For an obligation free review of your current first aid protocols and for an introduction to the Initial service, contact us today.

Hygiene insights

Hygiene solutions tailored to your business

Our expert technicians are committed to helping you keep your environment hygienic, safe and healthy. Their aim, especially in the current situation, is to improve operational efficiencies with hygiene standards across all facilities, making significant contributions to the hygiene and wellbeing of employees and visitors.