Legislation & Code of Practice
Primary Legislation
WHS Regulation 2025 s.42
Requires PCBUs (employers) to ensure adequate first aid provisions are available at every workplace.
Code of Practice
SafeWork NSW — Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace (January 2020)
Provides practical guidance on how to comply with first aid obligations. While not mandatory, courts may reference CoPs as evidence of what is reasonably practicable.
First Aider Ratios
The number of trained first aiders required depends on your workplace risk level and headcount. New South Wales follows the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice ratios:
| Risk Level | Ratio | Min. | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Risk | 1 per 50 workers | 1 | Offices, retail, libraries |
| High Risk | 1 per 25 workers | 1 | Factories, workshops, forestry |
| Remote High Risk | 1 per 10 workers | 1 | Remote convenience stores, freight transport |
Use our free calculator to check your workplace's first aider requirement instantly.
Quick Reference
Kit Inspection Interval
Regular checking recommended; CoP advises quarterly minimum. SafeWork NSW has announced the Code becomes mandatory from 1 July 2026 unless an equivalent or better safety outcome is achieved.
First Aid Certificate Validity
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid must be renewed every 3 years.
CPR Refresh Interval
HLTAID009 Provide CPR requires annual competency refresh.
Record Keeping
Keep a Register of Injuries. WHS Regulation 2025 s.592 requires records to be kept for 5 years. Exposure records must be kept for 30 years.
State-Specific Compliance Notes
- From 1 July 2026, NSW codes of practice become mandatory unless a PCBU provides an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety.
- NSW guidance says extra first aiders may be needed for multiple shifts, overtime, seasonal surges, or large numbers of other people on site.
First Aid Kit Requirements
Every workplace in New South Wales must have at least 1 first aid kit. Additional kits should be provided based on workplace size, layout, and hazards present.
Contents Standard
SafeWork NSW CoP: First Aid in the Workplace (Jan 2020), Appendix A
Kit contents are guidance-based (suggested, not mandatory). The Code of Practice provides a suggested minimum contents list that should be adapted based on your workplace risk assessment.
Training Requirements
First aiders in New South Wales must hold the following nationally recognised qualifications:
| Qualification | Code | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Provide First Aid | HLTAID011 | 36 months (3 years) |
| Provide CPR | HLTAID009 | 12 months (annual refresh) |
These are units of competency under the Australian Qualifications Framework and must be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Emergency Plan
✅ Required
WHS Regulation 2025 s.43 requires a workplace emergency plan covering evacuation, communication, and testing.
First Aid Room
A dedicated first aid room is recommended when your workforce exceeds:
Low-Risk Workplaces
Offices, retail, call centres
High-Risk Workplaces
Factories, construction, manufacturing
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
💡 Recommended — Not Legally Required
Recommended where electrocution risk exists, ambulance delay likely, or large public numbers present. CoP recommends consideration in risk assessment.
Notifiable Incidents
WHS Act 2011 (NSW) Part 3 ss.35-39. Covers death, serious injury or illness requiring immediate treatment, and dangerous incidents. Notify SafeWork NSW immediately by phone (13 10 50) and preserve the incident site.
Fire Safety
Emergency plan must address fire. Fire extinguisher training recommended for high-risk workplaces. AS 3745 compliance for evacuation.
Compare Other States
Sources & References
Key official references used for this summary:
- SafeWork NSW — Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace (January 2020)
- WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) s.42–43
- Official guidance from SafeWork NSW
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult SafeWork NSW or a qualified WHS professional for definitive compliance guidance. Last reviewed March 2026.
Simplify NSW First Aid Compliance
Automate kit tracking, inspection scheduling, expiry monitoring, and audit reporting for your New South Wales workplace.
Get Started Free →