Is Your First Aid Kit Still Legal — or a Liability?
Most Australians don’t realise their first aid kit has an expiry date — until an incident happens and the gloves tear, the saline’s out of date, or there’s no sterile dressing in sight. The truth? Kits expire, and in many cases, an expired kit can leave your workplace non-compliant.
In this guide, you’ll learn why first aid supplies expire, what SafeWork Australia expects, and the fastest way to make sure you’re covered.
⚖️ First Aid Kit Compliance: What SafeWork Australia Expects
Under the SafeWork Australia First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice, businesses must provide and maintain first aid equipment that is “suitable and adequate.” That includes making sure the contents are in date, in good condition, and replenished after use or expiry.
WHS inspectors do check expiry dates — and expired kits are one of the most common non-compliance issues in audits across NSW and regional Australia.
🔎 What We See from Real Clients
At Assurance, we’ve audited hundreds of workplaces — and the pattern is consistent:
- Eye wash bottles that expired 3 years ago
- Saline and antiseptic wipes dried out and unusable
- Gloves that rip when you put them on
- CPR masks stored in kits with cracked or brittle plastic
One client had a workplace injury where their wound dressing didn’t stick — because the adhesive had degraded. That incident alone sparked a full compliance review across their sites.
🛠 Why Do First Aid Supplies Expire?
Even unopened, items like saline, antiseptic, creams and sterile dressings have a shelf life. Over time, they lose effectiveness or become unsafe to use. Here’s what typically expires:
- Saline solution and eyewash bottles
- Adhesive bandages and tapes
- Antiseptic wipes and creams
- Latex and nitrile gloves
- CPR face shields and barrier devices
Temperature, humidity, and age all reduce performance — and the risks are too high to ignore. That’s why first aid kits aren’t “set and forget.” They need regular review.
🔧 What You Should Do (And How We Help)
Start with a proper check of your kit. We've made it easy:
- Download our free First Aid Kit Restock Checklist
- Compare your supplies against WHS requirements
- Replace expired items fast — see our first aid kit range here
- Need a proper audit? Book a compliance check or training with our team
Our kits are built for Australian workplaces — with hospital-grade items, expiry dates clearly marked, and the ability to restock online or by chat.
🔍 More Helpful Links
- Workplace-Compliant Kits
- Free First Aid Kit Checklist PDF
- Free First Aid Sign
- CPR Courses for Businesses
🥊 What Now?
If you haven’t checked your kit in over 6 months — do it today. It’s one of the simplest ways to stay compliant and protect your team. Join our newsletter for regular reminders, tips, and free tools. Or use the live chat to speak directly with me — Samantha — I’ll help you get sorted in minutes.
Written by Samantha, Director of Assurance First Aid Kits, EMT, Trainer & Assessor.
With over 20 years in first aid compliance training across Dubbo and regional NSW, Samantha helps businesses stay safe and compliant.
