First Aid Requirements for Australian Workplaces
Under Australian WHS law, all workplaces must provide first aid. This guide covers what you're legally required to have, how many trained first aiders you need, and which certificate meets the standard.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011(and its state and territory equivalents), all Australian employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace — and that includes ensuring adequate first aid. Here's what the law requires and how to comply.
What the Law Requires
The WHS Regulations require all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable:
- ·First aid equipment is provided and maintained
- ·Access to facilities for administering first aid is available
- ·An adequate number of workers are trained to administer first aid
What is “adequate” depends on your workplace type, hazard level, number of workers, and remoteness from emergency services. Safe Work Australia's Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace provides practical guidance on meeting these requirements.
Which First Aid Certificate Do You Need?
The standard first aid certificate that satisfies WHS requirements for most Australian workplaces is HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid. This supersedes the former HLTAID003 code — if your WHS policy references HLTAID003, HLTAID011 is the direct replacement.
HLTAID011 covers CPR, bleeding control, burns, fractures, anaphylaxis, asthma, choking, stroke, heart attack, poisoning and more. It is recommended to be renewed every 3 years, with the CPR component (HLTAID009) renewed annually.
How Many First Aiders Does Your Business Need?
The Safe Work Australia Code of Practice provides the following guidance. These are minimum recommendations — your specific obligations depend on your workplace circumstances.
| Workplace type | Suggested ratio |
|---|---|
| Low-risk (office, retail, service) | 1 trained first aider per 50 workers |
| High-risk (construction, manufacturing, warehousing) | 1 trained first aider per 25 workers |
| Remote or isolated workplaces | Higher ratios required — specialist advice recommended |
| Any workplace | At least 1 trained first aider available at all times when workers are present |
Source: Safe Work Australia, Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace (2021). Check with your state or territory regulator for jurisdiction-specific requirements.
First Aid Kits
First aid kits must be appropriate for the hazards present in your workplace. The contents should be regularly checked and restocked. The Code of Practice provides guidance on minimum kit contents for different workplace types. A trained first aider should know the location of all first aid kits on site.
Group Bookings for Your Team
If you need to get multiple staff certified, we offer group training options at our Canberra Phillip venue. Contact us on 1300 628 299 to discuss scheduling for your organisation.
Get Your Team Certified in Canberra
HLTAID011 First Aid — $95 per person. Daily sessions at our Phillip venue.