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, or fines up to $159,000+ for individuals and $795,000+ for businesses under the Work Health and Safety Act (Category 3 — 2025/2026 indexed values under the Model WHS Act; WA and Commonwealth penalties are even higher).
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
High-Risk Additions
High-risk workplaces should add: eye pads, burns dressings, heavy crepe bandages, splints, instant cold packs, and additional quantities of all items. Check your state-specific requirements.
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: Required for high-risk workplaces with 200+ workers (or 100+ for very high risk).
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.
📊 Free Compliance Checklist PDF
Download our printable 2-page WHS compliance checklist covering all six areas above — risk assessment, ratios, kit contents, signage, inspections, and documentation.
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