Reviewed: 22 April 2025
What First Aid Does Australian Law Actually Require for Your Business?
The answer is not the same for every business — and getting it wrong can mean serious penalties. Let us help you get it right from the start.
Find My Kit →The Short Version — What Every Australian Business Must Have
- A first aid kit appropriate for your workplace size and hazards
- At least one trained first aider on site (ratio depends on industry and workforce size)
- Clear signage showing where the first aid kit and trained first aider are located
- A system for maintaining and replenishing the kit — expired items are a compliance failure
- A first aid needs assessment documented as part of your risk management
It is one of the most common questions Australian business owners ask — and one of the most Googled WHS queries in the country. "What first aid do I legally need for my business?" The answer is not a single number or a single product. It depends on your industry, your workforce size, your location, and the specific hazards your workers face.
This guide gives you a plain-language breakdown of exactly what Australian WHS law requires — so you can get compliant, stay compliant, and spend your energy on running your business rather than worrying about what an inspector might find.
More Guides in This Series
What Australian Law Actually Requires
First aid in the workplace is governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Commonwealth) and its state and territory equivalents, alongside Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace. These apply to every person conducting a business or undertaking — from a sole trader to a national corporation.
The obligation is not to provide any particular kit or any specific number of bandages. The obligation is to ensure that workers can access first aid — and that the provisions you have in place are suitable and adequate for your specific workplace.
1. Suitable and adequate first aid equipment: Your kit must be matched to the hazards in your environment, your workforce size, and your remoteness from emergency services. A kit that is adequate for a city office is not adequate for a remote construction site.
2. Access to trained first aiders: The number of trained first aiders required depends on your industry risk classification and number of workers. At minimum, at least one trained first aider must be available at all times when workers are present.
3. A first aid needs assessment: You are required to assess your first aid needs as part of your broader risk management obligations. This assessment must consider your hazards, workforce size, and layout — and it must be reviewed whenever your workplace changes significantly.
Your Four Core Obligations — Explained Simply
First Aid Kit
Appropriate for your hazards, workforce size, and distance from emergency services. In date, in good condition, and replenished after use. Clearly marked and accessible to all workers.
Trained First Aider
At least one person with a current first aid certificate on site at all times. Ratio requirements increase for larger workforces and higher-risk industries.
Clear Signage
Every workplace must clearly display the location of the first aid kit and the name and contact details of the trained first aider. Workers must be able to find both quickly in an emergency.
Needs Assessment
A documented assessment of your first aid needs — covering hazards, workforce size, and proximity to emergency services. Must be reviewed when your workplace changes.
Free First Aid & AED Wall Signs — Print Ready
Signage showing the location of your first aid kit is a legal requirement. Our free, print-ready wall signs help you stay compliant — designed to Australian standards, no sign-up required.
Download Free Signs →How Many First Aiders Does My Business Need?
Safe Work Australia's Code of Practice provides a recommended ratio of trained first aiders to workers. This is a guide, not a fixed legal number — but it is what inspectors use as a benchmark, and it is the standard you should aim to meet or exceed.
| Workplace Type | Recommended First Aider Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Low-risk workplace (office, retail, hospitality) | 1 per 50 workers | Minimum 1 at all times workers are present |
| High-risk workplace (construction, manufacturing, mining) | 1 per 10–25 workers | Higher ratio reflects increased likelihood and severity of injury |
| Remote or isolated workplace | At least 1 per shift | Additional training in advanced first aid recommended due to extended emergency response times |
| Small business / sole operator | At least 1 (owner or designated worker) | Safe Work Australia recommends owner hold current first aid certification |
Having a trained first aider on your payroll does not satisfy the obligation if they are not actually on site when workers are present. If your sole first aider is on leave, at lunch, or working from home — you are not compliant for that period. Plan for absences and ensure cover is always in place.
How Many First Aid Kits Does My Business Need?
The number of kits required depends on your workplace layout, the number of workers, and the nature of the hazards. Safe Work Australia's guidance identifies several factors that may require additional kits:
- Multiple levels or buildings: A kit on each floor or in each building — workers should not have to travel far to access first aid in an emergency
- Multiple shifts: Kits must be accessible during all shifts, not just business hours
- Mobile or field workers: Each vehicle used by workers should carry a suitable first aid kit
- High-risk work areas: A dedicated kit accessible within or immediately adjacent to the hazardous area — for example, directly in a kitchen, workshop, or chemical storage area
A first aid kit that takes more than a few minutes to reach is not meeting its purpose. In a genuine emergency — severe bleeding, anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest — seconds matter. Your kit should be where the work is, not where it was convenient to put it three years ago.
Not Sure What Your Specific Business Needs?
Answer a few quick questions about your industry, workforce size, and location — we'll match you with the right kit and point you to the right compliance information.
Find My Kit →What Must Be Inside the Kit?
Safe Work Australia does not prescribe a single fixed list of items. What must be in your kit depends on a risk assessment of your workplace. That said, for a standard low-to-medium risk workplace, the following items represent the generally accepted minimum for a compliant and practical kit.
- First aid guide and accident report notepad
- CPR face shield or pocket mask
- Nitrile disposable gloves — minimum two pairs
- Assorted adhesive bandages (plasters)
- Low-adherent wound dressings (various sizes)
- Combine dressing (10×20cm)
- Eye dressing and eye wash solution
- Crepe bandage and triangular bandage
- Wound closure strips
- Antiseptic spray or wipes
- Burn gel sachets or dressing
- Instant ice pack
- Scissors and tweezers
- Thermal (space) blanket
- Amputated parts bag
For higher-risk workplaces — construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and remote operations — additional items such as a tourniquet, haemostatic wound gauze, pressure immobilisation bandages, and trauma shears are strongly recommended and may be required under your industry's specific guidance.
For a full breakdown by industry, read our companion guide: First Aid Kits for Trades, Construction and High-Risk Workplaces →
Does It Differ by State or Territory?
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 is a national model law — but each state and territory has its own WHS legislation, which largely mirrors the national model with some local variations. The practical requirements for first aid are consistent across most jurisdictions, but it is worth knowing who your regulator is and where to find state-specific guidance.
| State / Territory | WHS Regulator | Website |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | SafeWork NSW | safework.nsw.gov.au |
| Victoria | WorkSafe Victoria | worksafe.vic.gov.au |
| Queensland | WorkSafe Queensland | worksafe.qld.gov.au |
| South Australia | SafeWork SA | safework.sa.gov.au |
| Western Australia | WorkSafe WA | dmirs.wa.gov.au/worksafe |
| Tasmania | WorkSafe Tasmania | worksafe.tas.gov.au |
| Northern Territory | NT WorkSafe | worksafe.nt.gov.au |
| ACT | WorkSafe ACT | accesscanberra.act.gov.au |
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Compliant — Before You Need To Be
First aid compliance in Australia is not complicated — but it does require the right kit, the right people, and a system for keeping everything current. Every Assurance kit is packed in Dubbo, NSW with clinical-grade supplies, clearly marked expiry dates, and designed for real Australian workplaces. Samantha is available via the live chat on our site if you need personalised advice for your specific situation.
Answer a few quick questions about your business and we will match you with the right WHS-compliant kit for your industry, size, and location.
Know what you need? Go straight to the right collection for your industry.
Download a free audit checklist and add only what you need to cart — clinical-grade replacements, no guesswork.
References
- Safe Work Australia — Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace — safeworkaustralia.gov.au
- Safe Work Australia — Work Health and Safety Act 2011 — safeworkaustralia.gov.au
- SafeWork NSW — First Aid in the Workplace — safework.nsw.gov.au
- WorkSafe Victoria — First Aid Requirements — worksafe.vic.gov.au
- Better Health Channel — Workplace Safety and First Aid — betterhealth.vic.gov.au
- Australian Resuscitation Council (ANZCOR) — First Aid Guidelines — resus.org.au
