Reviewed: 17 April 2026
Do you have the right kit for a funnel-web bite?
A funnel-web bite requires a pressure immobilisation bandage — immediately. Most generic first aid kits do not include one. Every Assurance snake and spider kit is packed in Dubbo with clinical-grade supplies, ready for Australian conditions.
Shop Snake & Spider Kits → Find My Kit →If You Suspect a Funnel-Web Bite — Act Now
Call 000 immediately. Keep the person completely still. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. Do not wait for symptoms to develop — life-threatening effects can occur within 10 minutes.
Australia has not recorded a single death from a funnel-web spider bite since antivenom was introduced in 1981. That statistic is not luck — it is the result of fast, correct first aid combined with effective emergency treatment. But the first aid only works when it is applied correctly, immediately, and by someone who knows what to do before the emergency happens.
If you live on the east coast of Australia — particularly in greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Region, or the Central Coast — funnel-web spiders are part of your environment. They do not announce themselves. They are found in suburban gardens, garden shoes, woodpiles, pool filter boxes, and sheds. During summer storms they move indoors.
This guide covers exactly what to do, how to apply a pressure immobilisation bandage correctly, what symptoms to watch for, and which kit you need. It is based on ANZCOR Guideline 9.4.2 and written by a first aid trainer with 19 years of Australian experience.
What Australians Need to Know About Funnel-Web Spiders
Funnel-web spiders belong to the Atracidae family. The male Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) is considered the most dangerous to humans. Their venom contains delta-atracotoxin — a neurotoxin that overstimulates the human nervous system and can cause respiratory failure without treatment.
Critically, ANZCOR guidelines note that any bite from a large, dark-coloured spider — what they describe as a "big black spider" — in the regions of Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, northern and southern highlands, or south coast of NSW, or south-east Queensland, should be treated as a suspected funnel-web bite and managed accordingly.
Where Are Funnel-Web Spiders Found in Australia?
| State / Region | Areas of Risk |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter Region, Southern Highlands, South Coast |
| Queensland | South-east Queensland including Brisbane hinterland |
| Victoria | Eastern and alpine areas |
| ACT | Common in residential gardens |
Funnel-webs prefer cool, moist environments. They become most active in late spring through early autumn — particularly after rain and during warm, humid weather.
If you live in regional NSW but travel regularly to Sydney or the coast, this information is relevant to you. Funnel-web bites do not discriminate between locals and visitors.
Symptoms of a Funnel-Web Spider Bite
Symptoms may begin within minutes. Life-threatening effects can occur within 10 minutes of a bite from a male Sydney funnel-web. Do not wait for symptoms to escalate before calling 000.
| Time After Bite | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|
| 0 – 5 minutes | Intense local pain, profuse sweating, anxiety |
| 5 – 15 minutes | Tingling around the mouth, muscle twitching, nausea |
| 15 – 30 minutes | Vomiting, difficulty breathing, elevated heart rate |
| 30+ minutes | Severe envenomation, risk of respiratory failure — without antivenom |
Funnel-Web vs Redback — Critical Difference
The first aid for a funnel-web bite is the opposite of what you do for a redback bite. A pressure immobilisation bandage is essential for funnel-web bites — but must never be used on a redback bite. Getting this wrong can make the situation significantly worse.
Read our full guide: Redback vs Funnel-Web Spider Bite: Why the First Aid Is Completely Different
First Aid Steps — As per ANZCOR Guideline 9.4.2
These steps must be followed immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
- Call 000 immediately. Tell the operator you suspect a funnel-web bite. Do not drive yourself — wait for the ambulance.
- Keep the person completely still. Do not allow them to walk. Lay them down. Movement accelerates the spread of venom through the lymphatic system.
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage — a broad elasticised bandage (10–15 cm wide) — directly over the bite site first, then extend it from the fingers or toes up the entire limb. The bandage should be as firm as one applied for a sprained ankle. You should not be able to easily slide a finger underneath it.
- Mark the bite site on the outside of the bandage with a pen. Note the time of the bite and the time the bandage was applied.
- Immobilise the limb using a splint — a stick, rolled magazine, or any rigid object — to prevent joint movement and further spread of venom.
- Do not remove the bandage until the person is at hospital with antivenom available. Removing the bandage prematurely can cause a rapid surge of venom into the bloodstream.
- Do not wash, cut, or suck the bite site. Do not apply a tourniquet. Do not try to catch or kill the spider — a photo on a phone is sufficient for identification and should not delay steps 1 and 2.
- Monitor breathing and consciousness. If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately and follow the ANZCOR Basic Life Support flowchart.
Do NOT Do Any of the Following
- Do not allow the person to walk
- Do not wash or clean the bite site — venom traces help identify the spider
- Do not cut or suck the bite
- Do not apply a tourniquet
- Do not try to catch or bring the spider to hospital — a photo is enough
- Do not remove the bandage before arriving at hospital
How to Apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage — Watch the Technique
Knowing the steps is one thing — applying a pressure bandage correctly under pressure is another. Samantha demonstrates the exact technique below. Note: these videos reference snake bite, but the pressure immobilisation technique is identical for funnel-web spider bites — ANZCOR guidelines apply to both.
Video 1 — How to bandage an arm on your own:
Video 2 — How to bandage a full limb:
Free Resource — Download the Snake Bite First Aid Poster
Print and display Samantha's free snake and spider bite first aid poster in your home, shed, or vehicle. The pressure immobilisation technique is illustrated step by step — so anyone can follow it in an emergency.
Download Free Poster →Funnel-Web Bites and Neurodiverse Children — A Special Note
Applying a pressure immobilisation bandage is challenging enough in a standard emergency. For parents of autistic children or children with sensory processing differences, there is an additional layer of complexity — a child in sensory overload may refuse touch, struggle to stay still, or be unable to communicate where the pain is.
We have written a dedicated guide for this exact scenario: Snake Bite First Aid for Neurodiverse Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide — covering sensory regulation first, how to apply the bandage with minimal resistance, and how to brief emergency services about your child's needs.
If your child is neurodiverse, we also strongly recommend completing an All About Me emergency card and keeping it in your first aid kit — so any first responder knows exactly how to help your child.
Which Kit Do You Need for a Funnel-Web Bite?
A funnel-web bite requires a pressure immobilisation bandage — immediately. Most generic kits do not include one. Every Assurance snake and spider kit is packed locally in Dubbo with clinical-grade supplies. Here is which kit suits your situation.
| Kit | Best For | Pressure Bandage | Extra Support | Ideal Location | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Bite Kit | Bushwalkers, regional homes | ✓ | Basic | Daypack, shed | Shop Now |
| Snake Bite Plus Kit | Families, vehicle storage | ✓ | Cleaning & support items | Car, home | Shop Now |
| Snake Bite Max Kit | High-risk areas, campers, 4WD | ✓ | Multi bite & sting coverage | 4WD, caravan | Shop Now |
| Family First Aid Kit | Everyday injuries + venom response | ✓ | Burn care & wound management | Kitchen, home | Shop Now |
| 4WD Outdoor Kit | Remote travel, off-grid trips | ✓ | Comprehensive trauma coverage | Vehicle, camper | Shop Now |
Free First Aid Signs for Your Home or Workplace
Download and print free first aid signs for your home, shed, vehicle, or workplace — including snake and spider bite emergency instructions. No cost, no login required.
Download Free Signs →Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly do funnel-web spider bite symptoms appear?
Symptoms can begin within minutes of a bite. Life-threatening effects from a male Sydney funnel-web bite can occur within 10 minutes. Never wait for symptoms to develop before calling 000 and applying a pressure immobilisation bandage.
Can funnel-web spiders bite through shoes?
Yes — funnel-web fangs are strong enough to pierce soft footwear and even fingernails. Always shake out shoes, gloves, and clothing that has been left outside in funnel-web habitat. Be particularly careful when gardening, moving woodpiles, or checking pool filter boxes.
What if I am not sure whether it was a funnel-web spider?
ANZCOR guidelines are clear: any bite from a large, dark-coloured spider in eastern Australia should be treated as a suspected funnel-web bite. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, call 000, and do not wait for confirmation. A photo on your phone for identification is useful, but should never delay first aid steps.
Is the pressure immobilisation technique the same for snake bites?
Yes — the pressure immobilisation technique is identical for Australian snake bites and funnel-web spider bites. Both venoms travel through the lymphatic system, and compression with immobilisation slows that spread in both cases. The videos above demonstrate the technique for snake bite, but the method is exactly the same.
Do funnel-web spiders come inside?
Yes — particularly during summer storms and humid weather, male funnel-web spiders wander in search of mates and can enter homes. Check shoes, towels, and clothing left on the floor. Pool filter boxes, garden sheds, and wood piles are common habitats. If you find a funnel-web spider inside, do not attempt to handle it — contact your local council or a pest control professional.
Are children more at risk from funnel-web bites?
Yes — children are more vulnerable to envenomation due to their smaller body mass. The same venom dose has a greater effect. For neurodiverse children who may respond differently to pain and treatment, additional preparation is critical. See our guide on snake bite first aid for neurodiverse kids for specific guidance.
Be Ready Before It Happens
Funnel-web spider bites are survivable — but only with immediate, correct first aid. The bandage has to be in the kit. The steps have to be known. The kit has to be where you can reach it. That preparation happens before the emergency, not during it.
Samantha suggests one of the following — choose what suits your audience best:
Option A — Kit Collection
Every Assurance snake and spider kit includes a clinical-grade pressure immobilisation bandage — packed in Dubbo, ready for Australian conditions.
Shop Snake & Spider Kits →Option B — Kit Finder
Not sure which kit suits your home, vehicle, or adventure? Answer three quick questions and we'll match you with the right one.
Find My Kit →Option C — Urgency
If you live on the east coast and you do not have a pressure immobilisation bandage within reach right now — that is the gap to fix today. Not after something happens.
Shop the Snake Bite Kit → Shop the Max Kit →References
- Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) — Guideline 9.4.2: First Aid Management of Spider Bite — anzcor.org
- Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) — Guideline 9.4.8: Pressure Immobilisation Technique — anzcor.org
- Australian Venom Research Unit, University of Melbourne — Funnel-Web Spider First Aid — biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/avru
- NSW Health — Emergency Care Institute: Snake and Spider Bite Clinical Tool — aci.health.nsw.gov.au
- Better Health Channel (Victoria) — Funnel-Web Spider — betterhealth.vic.gov.au
- SafeWork Australia — First Aid in the Workplace — safeworkaustralia.gov.au
