Legislation & Code of Practice
Primary Legislation
WHS Regulations 2012 r.42
Requires PCBUs (employers) to ensure adequate first aid provisions are available at every workplace.
Code of Practice
SafeWork SA — Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
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. South Australia follows the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice ratios:
| Risk Level | Ratio | Min. | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Risk | 1 per 50 workers | 1 | Offices, retail |
| High Risk | 1 per 25 workers | 1 | Manufacturing, construction |
| Remote High Risk | 1 per 10 workers | 1 | Sites more than 60 minutes from an ambulance service |
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Quick Reference
Kit Inspection Interval
Regular inspection and restocking required. Quarterly checking is recommended minimum, and general kits should not include analgesics unless a documented medical management plan justifies them.
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
WHS Regulations 2012 r.592 requires incident records to be kept for at least 5 years.
State-Specific Compliance Notes
- South Australian first aid kits must be identifiable with a white cross on a green background.
- From 1 January 2026, public-access buildings or facilities caught by the AED Act may need at least one registered AED, with extra units for some larger commercial sites.
First Aid Kit Requirements
Every workplace in South Australia must have at least 1 first aid kit. Additional kits should be provided based on workplace size, layout, and hazards present.
Contents Standard
Safe Work Australia Model CoP: First Aid in the Workplace, 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 South Australia 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 Regulations 2012 (SA) r.43 requires an emergency plan for each workplace.
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
From 1 January 2026, at least one registered AED is required in public-access commercial buildings of 600m² or more, with additional units required for larger sites. Outside that scope, AED provision remains risk-assessment driven.
Notifiable Incidents
WHS Act 2012 (SA) Part 3 ss.35-39. Covers death, serious injury or illness, and dangerous incidents. Notify SafeWork SA immediately: life-threatening incidents 1800 777 209 (24 hours); non-life-threatening incidents 1300 365 255.
Fire Safety
Emergency plan must address fire. South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Act applies.
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Sources & References
Key official references used for this summary:
- SafeWork SA — Adoption of Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
- WHS Act 2012 (SA) Part 3 — Incident Notification
- Official guidance from SafeWork SA
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult SafeWork SA or a qualified WHS professional for definitive compliance guidance. Last reviewed March 2026.
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