Anaphylaxis First Aid in Australia — Signs, Response and What to Have Ready

Reviewed: 27 April 2026

Anaphylaxis moves fast. Within minutes of exposure to a trigger, a mild reaction can escalate into a life-threatening emergency. Knowing the signs, knowing the steps, and having the right equipment ready before it happens is what saves lives — not trying to remember what to do in the moment.

This is the hub guide for anaphylaxis first aid in Australia — covering signs and symptoms, the correct ANZCOR response, equipment requirements for parents, schools, daycares and workplaces, and specific considerations for neurodiverse children and adults who may present or communicate differently during a reaction.

What Australians Need to Know About Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, anaphylaxis affects approximately 1 in 3,000 Australians at some point in their lives, and rates of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have been increasing over the past two decades.

The most common triggers in Australia include food allergens — particularly peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, wheat, and sesame — as well as insect stings, medications, and latex. For children, food is the most common trigger. For adults, medications and insect stings are more prevalent.

What makes anaphylaxis particularly dangerous is its speed and unpredictability. A person who has previously experienced only mild allergic reactions can have a severe anaphylactic response to the same trigger. There is no reliable way to predict the severity of a reaction in advance.

Recognising Anaphylaxis — Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms can affect multiple body systems simultaneously and may develop within seconds or take up to 30 minutes after exposure. The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network notes that the following symptom combinations are key indicators of anaphylaxis:

First Aid Steps for Anaphylaxis — As per ANZCOR Guidelines

The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation guidelines are clear. Follow these steps in order every time.

1. Lay the person flat. Do not allow them to stand or walk. If breathing is difficult, allow them to sit up slightly — but keep them as flat as possible. If unconscious, place in the recovery position.
2. Give adrenaline autoinjector. Administer the EpiPen or Neffy as per the person's ASCIA Action Plan if one is available. If no plan is available and anaphylaxis is suspected, use the autoinjector. Adrenaline is safe — the risk of not giving it is far greater than the risk of giving it unnecessarily.
3. Call 000 immediately. Call even if the person appears to be improving. Symptoms can return after initial treatment — this is called a biphasic reaction and can occur hours later. All anaphylaxis requires emergency medical assessment.
4. Give a second adrenaline dose if no improvement after 5 minutes. If a second autoinjector is available and symptoms are not improving, give a second dose. Note the time of each dose.
5. Begin CPR if the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing. Follow ANZCOR CPR guidelines — 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths. Continue until emergency services arrive.
6. Do not leave the person alone. Stay with them, keep them calm, and keep them flat until paramedics arrive.

What Every Australian Home, School and Workplace Needs

For Families

If anyone in your household has a known severe allergy, the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne recommends keeping two adrenaline autoinjectors available at all times — one at home and one on the person or in their bag. Your kit should also contain a copy of the person's ASCIA Action Plan.

Both the Assurance Family First Aid Kit and the Family 4WD Outdoor Kit include a dedicated medication storage pouch — suitable for carrying an autoinjector and action plan alongside your first aid supplies.

For Schools and Daycares

Under Australian guidelines and the ASCIA Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Schools, early childhood services and schools must have an anaphylaxis management policy. This includes having adrenaline autoinjectors available for students with known allergies, a current ASCIA Action Plan for each at-risk student, and staff trained in anaphylaxis response.

Many states and territories also require schools to have a general-use EpiPen or Neffy for students who have not previously been diagnosed — because a child's first anaphylactic reaction may occur at school. Check your state's specific requirements with your state education department.

For Workplaces

Under Australian WHS legislation, employers must provide appropriate first aid for foreseeable emergencies. In workplaces where employees or visitors have known severe allergies, or where allergen exposure is a realistic risk — such as food service, manufacturing, or outdoor environments — having an adrenaline autoinjector as part of the first aid provision is appropriate. Always conduct a workplace risk assessment.

The ASCIA Action Plan — What It Is and Why It Matters

An ASCIA Action Plan is a personalised emergency response document prepared by a medical practitioner for an individual with a known severe allergy. It specifies the person's triggers, their symptoms, which medication to give, and at what threshold — removing any ambiguity in an emergency.

Every person with a known severe allergy should have a current, signed ASCIA Action Plan. It should be kept with the adrenaline autoinjector — not in a separate location. For children, a copy should be held by the school or daycare, by carers, and at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Your Kit Ready for an Anaphylactic Emergency?