First Aid Kit Compliance Checklist for Australian Workplaces 2026

Why Compliance Matters

Under Australian WHS legislation, employers have a duty of care to provide adequate first aid facilities. Non-compliance can result in improvement notices, prohibition orders, and substantial fines. Penalties under the Work Health and Safety Act run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and vary by the category of offence, the jurisdiction, and annual indexation — always confirm the current figures with Safe Work Australia or your state or territory WHS regulator.

This checklist covers all requirements from the national Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace, current as of 2026.

1. Risk Assessment

• Conduct a workplace risk assessment to determine the type and number of first aid kits, first aiders, and facilities required.
• Classify workplace risk level — low risk (office, retail) vs high risk (construction, manufacturing, mining).
• Consider remote/isolated work — workers more than 30 minutes from emergency services need enhanced kits and communication devices.
• Document the assessment and review at least annually, or when hazards change.

2. First Aider Ratios

• Low-risk workplaces: 1 trained first aider per 50 workers (minimum).
• High-risk workplaces: 1 trained first aider per 25 workers (minimum).
• Ensure coverage across all shifts — first aiders needed for each shift, including night and weekend shifts.
• Verify qualifications — HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid) current within 3 years, CPR refresher within 12 months.

3. Kit Contents — Minimum Requirements

The WHS Code of Practice specifies minimum contents for workplace first aid kits. For a low-risk workplace with up to 25 workers:

• Adhesive strips (assorted sizes) — 20
• Conforming bandages (7.5 cm) — 3
• Crepe bandages (10 cm) — 1
• Non-adherent wound dressings (7.5 × 10 cm) — 6
• Triangular bandages (110 cm) — 2
• Wound closure strips — 6
• Gauze swabs (7.5 × 7.5 cm) — 5
• Adhesive tape (2.5 cm × 5 m) — 1 roll
• Scissors (blunt/sharp, 12.5 cm) — 1 pair
• Tweezers (stainless steel) — 1 pair
• Disposable nitrile gloves — 5 pairs
• Resuscitation face mask — 1
• Saline eye wash (15 mL) — 4 ampoules
• Space blanket — 1
• Plastic bags (resealable) — 2
• Notepad and pencil — 1
• First aid booklet — 1
• Contents list — 1

4. Kit Placement & Signage

• Location: Kits must be in easily accessible, clearly visible locations — not locked or obstructed.
• Signage: White cross on green background sign (AS 1319) must be displayed near each kit and at entrances/corridors.
• Number of kits: 1 kit per floor as a minimum; more based on workspace size, risk, and staff count.
• First aid room: The Code of Practice recommends considering one for low-risk workplaces with 200+ workers, or high-risk workplaces with 100+ workers.

5. Inspection & Maintenance

• Regular inspections: At least quarterly (monthly for high-risk). See our full inspection guide.
• After each use: Replenish used items immediately.
• Expiry tracking: Check and replace expired items on every inspection.
• Record keeping: Maintain inspection logs for at least 5 years.

6. Documentation & Records

• Risk assessment records — documented and reviewed annually.
• First aider register — names, qualifications, expiry dates.
• Inspection logs — date, inspector, items checked, actions taken.
• Incident records — all first aid treatments provided (5-year retention).
• Training records — certificates for all first aiders.