Every business has to provide first aid equipment, and a first aid kit is where most people start. This guide sets out what the NSW First aid in the workplace Code of Practice, which is based on Safe Work Australia's national model Code, says about first aid kits, and how to match a kit to your workplace. Other states and territories publish their own versions, so check your regulator if you work outside NSW.
Do workplaces have to have a first aid kit?
Yes. Under clause 42 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation, a business must ensure first aid equipment is provided and that each worker can access it. The Code of Practice says that means at least one first aid kit at each workplace, stocked for your hazards and kept where it can be reached quickly.
Kits are one part of the duty. The same Regulation requires access to first aid facilities and enough trained first aiders, or access to trained people. If you share a site, another duty holder's first aid equipment can count, as long as it is adequate and easily accessible whenever your workers are there.
Which first aid kit does my workplace need?
The Code groups workplaces by risk and recommends the kit, the number of trained first aiders and, for larger sites, a first aid room.
| Workplace | First aid kit | Trained first aiders (recommended) | First aid room |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Low risk Offices, shops, libraries |
Basic first aid kit | 1 for every 50 workers | Recommended at 200 or more workers |
|
High risk Factories, motor vehicle workshops, construction, welding, electrical work |
Basic kit plus extra equipment for the specific risks | 1 for every 25 workers | Recommended at 100 or more workers |
|
Remote high risk All-night service station workers, long-distance freight drivers |
Basic kit plus a heavy duty 10 cm crepe bandage for snake bites, large clean sheeting for burns, a thermal blanket, a whistle and a torch, and any equipment for specific risks | 1 for every 10 workers | n/a |
A high risk workplace is one where workers use hazardous machinery or substances, risk serious falls, or do hazardous work such as welding, electrical work, confined space work, demolition or abrasive blasting. These are recommended ratios, so your own risk assessment decides the final numbers.
For a basic kit, the Trafalgar WM1 wall-mount kit and the WP1 portable kit are listed with the contents recommended in the Code, and Trafalgar's National Workplace kits are described as designed in accordance with it. Each listing shows the full contents.
What should be in a workplace first aid kit?
The Code says a kit should cover cuts, sprains, minor burns, major bleeding, broken bones, eye injuries and shock, and its contents should be based on a risk assessment. Its example list (Appendix E) includes dressings, bandages, saline, nitrile gloves, a resuscitation mask or shield, eye pads, an emergency rescue blanket and an ice pack.
- Wound care: sterile gauze, non-adherent dressings in three sizes, wound dressings No. 14 and No. 15, a combine pad, adhesive dressing strips and tape
- Bandages: conforming cotton bandages in two widths, a 10 cm crepe bandage for serious bleeding and pressure, and triangular bandages
- Cleaning and tools: saline, wound-cleaning wipes, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers or forceps, splinter probes and safety pins
- Protection and shock: disposable nitrile gloves, a resuscitation face mask or shield, and an emergency rescue blanket
- Eyes, burns and sprains: single-use eye pads, hydrogel sachets (or 20 minutes of clean running water) and an instant ice pack
- Also: clip-seal bags, a notebook and pen, and first aid instructions with a CPR flow chart
Quantities for each item are in Appendix E of the NSW Code.
Add to the basic kit for your hazards. The Code suggests more eye pads where there is welding, cutting or machining, chemical spraying or a risk of flying particles. It also describes three add-on modules:
- Outdoor: a heavy duty 10 cm crepe bandage for snake bites and a sting relief cream, gel or spray, where there is a risk of insect or plant stings or snake bites.
- Remote: a heavy duty 10 cm crepe bandage for snake bites, large clean sheeting for covering burns, a thermal blanket, a whistle and a torch. The National Outdoor & Remote kit is listed with a wind-up torch, a thermal rescue blanket, a snake bite treatment and a splint, and the Small Remote kit is a fold-out case that stores easily in a vehicle.
- Burn: burn treatment instruction cards, hydrogel sachets and dressings, clean polythene sheets and a conforming bandage, where workers are at risk of burns. See the Brady Portable Burns kit; the Trafalgar Electrical Trades kit includes burn gel dressings.
Medication such as paracetamol and aspirin should not be in a first aid kit, the Code says. The NSW Code adds that workplaces may consider an asthma-relieving inhaler with a spacer and an epinephrine auto-injector, stored to the manufacturer's instructions and with trained first aiders.
Which of our first aid kits match the Code's example list?
Trafalgar's WM1, WP1, HV1 and National Workplace kits, and Brady's Vehicle Breakdown Pack, each list a counterpart for nearly every item on the Code's example list, in at least the example quantity. The first table shows what to check in each kit. The second matches our remote, outdoor and burns kits to the Code's add-on modules.
The Code's full list is in Appendix E of the NSW Code. This comparison uses only the contents each product page lists.
| Kit | What the listing says about the Code | What to check against the Code's list | Extras listed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
WM1 wall-mount kit, plastic case WM1 wall-mount kit, metal case |
Listed with the contents that the Safe Work Australia Code recommends. | Lists a first aid booklet and a register of injuries book. It does not mention a CPR flow chart or a pen. | A biohazard bag. |
|
WP1 portable kit, soft case WP1 portable kit, hard case |
Listed with the contents that the Safe Work Australia Code recommends. | Lists a first aid booklet and a register of injuries book, and the soft case also lists a pen. It does not mention a CPR flow chart. | A biohazard bag. |
|
National Workplace kit, wall mount plastic case National Workplace kit, wall mount metal case National Workplace kit, portable soft case National Workplace kit, portable hard case |
Described as designed in accordance with the Safe Work Australia Code. | Lists a first aid pamphlet, a CPR pocket card and a register of injuries book. It does not mention a pen. | A saline eye shower, alcohol wipes, a burns dressing, cotton buds, a kidney dish, a sharps container and a biohazard bag, among other items. |
| Trafalgar HV1 heavy vehicle kit | Listed with the contents that the Safe Work Australia Code recommends, plus a 500 ml eye wash and a first aid sign. | Lists a first aid booklet, a register of injuries book and a pen. It does not mention a CPR flow chart. | A 500 ml eye wash, a first aid sign and a biohazard bag. |
| Brady Vehicle First Aid Kit, Breakdown Pack 876399 | Does not mention the Code. Described as a workplace vehicle first aid kit with extra roadside safety gear. | Lists a CPR chart, a first aid manual and a register of injuries book with pen. Every item has a counterpart. | Three warning triangles, a 1 kg fire extinguisher, a floating torch, a hi-vis vest and a 500 ml eye wash. |
| Trafalgar PV1 passenger vehicle kit | Does not mention the Code. Described as a compact kit for vehicles. | Lists a short set of items, well short of the example list: for example one pair of nitrile gloves, two saline pods and one eye pad. | A plastic magnifier. |
The Code's example names hydrogel sachets, or 20 minutes of clean running water. The WM1, WP1 and National Workplace listings say burn gel or burn relief gel in 3.5 g units and do not say hydrogel, so check that the gel suits your risk assessment.
Add-on modules. Where there is a burn, remote or outdoor risk, the Code suggests extra items on top of the basic list. Here is how our specialist kits compare.
| Code module | Kit | What the listing shows | Not listed, or different |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Burn module Burn treatment instructions on two waterproof cards (one for the kit, one for the wall by the shower or water supply), hydrogel sachets and dressings, clean polythene sheets in small, medium and large, and a 7.5 cm conforming bandage. |
Brady Portable Burns kit | A burns treatment poster and card, 10 burn relief gel sachets (3.5 g), burn relief dressing pads, a sterile burns dressing, sterile plastic sheets and 7.5 cm conforming bandages. The description mentions hydrogel products. | The plastic sheets are listed in two sizes (60 x 45 cm and 61 x 91 cm), not three. |
| Trafalgar Electrical Trades kit | Burn gel dressings in three sizes (10 x 10 cm, 20 x 20 cm and a 40 x 30 cm face dressing). | No burn instruction cards, plastic sheets or 7.5 cm bandage are listed. The listing says the kit is made in accordance with the NSW Guide to Electrical Workers' Safety Equipment, not the Code. | |
|
Remote module A heavy duty 10 cm crepe bandage, large clean sheeting for covering burns, a thermal blanket, a whistle and a torch. |
National Outdoor & Remote kit (large, soft case) | Two heavy support crepe bandages (10 cm x 2 m), a 61 x 91 cm plastic sheet, a thermal rescue blanket, a plastic whistle and a wind-up emergency torch. | A counterpart is listed for all five. |
| Small Remote kit | A heavy support crepe bandage (7.5 cm x 2 m) and two thermal rescue blankets. | No whistle, torch or large sheeting is listed, and the heavy support crepe bandage is 7.5 cm wide, not 10 cm. | |
|
Outdoor module Where there is a risk of insect or plant stings or snake bites: a heavy duty 10 cm crepe bandage and a sting relief cream, gel or spray. |
Snake Bite kit | Two heavy crepe bandages (10 cm x 2 m), a triangular bandage and a snake bite treatment instruction sheet, in a belt-mountable wallet. | No sting relief is listed. |
| National Outdoor & Remote kit (large, soft case) | A snake bite treatment and snake ID card, and two heavy support crepe bandages (10 cm x 2 m). | No sting relief cream, gel or spray is listed. |
Kit details come from each product listing as published on 12 October 2026 and can change, so check the listing before you buy. Your own risk assessment decides what your workplace needs.
Where should a first aid kit go, and how should it be marked?
The Code gives these rules for where kits go:
- Prominent and quick to reach. Keep kits in a prominent, accessible place where they can be retrieved quickly.
- Near the risk. Put kits close to areas with a higher risk of injury, such as a workshop. In a multistorey workplace, keep at least one kit on every second floor.
- On the floor plan. Show kit locations on your emergency floor plans.
- Not locked away. All workers must have access to first aid equipment, including in security-controlled workplaces.
- In vehicles. Mobile workers such as couriers, taxi drivers and sales representatives should have a portable kit in the vehicle, safely located so it cannot become a projectile in a collision.
Each kit should be immediately identifiable with a white cross on a green background on the outside, contain a list of its contents, and be made of material that protects the contents from dust, moisture and contamination. Kits can be any size, shape or type. Neither the Code nor SafeWork NSW's guidance gives a mounting height; what matters is that the kit is easy to see and quick to reach.
The Code recommends well-recognised first aid signs to help people find first aid equipment and facilities, and points to AS 1319-1994 for sign design. Brady's First Aid sign is listed as complying with AS 1319-1994, with a white symbol and text on a green background.
How often should a first aid kit be checked?
Check it after each use or, if it has not been used, at least once every 12 months. The Code says to nominate a person, usually a first aider, to keep the kit stocked, sign and date an inventory list in the kit after each check, and make sure items are in date and sterile products are still sealed.
- Replace items as soon as practicable after use.
- Make sure items are in working order, have not deteriorated and are within their expiry dates.
- Make sure sterile products are sealed and have not been tampered with.
- Sign and date the inventory list in the kit after each check.
You do not need a new kit if the case is fine. Refill packs restock the contents, so match the refill to your kit, because each listing says which kits it restocks. The National Workplace refill kit is contents only, with no case.
Other first aid equipment: vehicles, AEDs and eye wash
- Vehicles. Trafalgar's PV1 is a compact kit for vehicles, and its HV1 is listed for trucks, vehicles carrying dangerous goods and earth moving equipment.
- Defibrillators (AEDs). Consider an AED if workers face a risk of electrocution, if an ambulance could be delayed, or if large numbers of the public visit. The Code says AEDs are designed for trained or untrained users and should be clearly visible, accessible, not exposed to extreme temperatures, clearly signed and maintained to the manufacturer's specifications. Our range includes the LIFEPAK CR2 and the HeartSine SAM 360P.
- Eye wash and showers. Emergency eye wash equipment should be provided where hazardous chemicals or infectious substances could cause eye injuries, and emergency showers where there is a risk of skin absorption of hazardous chemicals or serious burns. The Code points to AS 4775-2007. Brady's combination safety shower is listed as complying with AS 4775-2007, and First Aiders Choice Eye Wash 500ml is a sterile saline bottle for flushing eyes and cleansing wounds.
Choosing and stocking your kit
Work out your risk level, choose a kit that suits it, put it where it can be reached quickly and set a date to check it. Our first aid range includes workplace, vehicle, remote and burns kits, refills, signs, eye wash and AEDs.
Shop First Aid Kits and Supplies
Questions about which kit suits your site? Contact our team.
Sources: SafeWork NSW: First aid in the workplace; NSW Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace (January 2020); Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace (July 2019). This guide summarises them in our own words. It is general information, not legal advice.
1st Safety is based in Auburn, NSW, and supplies AS/NZS-compliant PPE to trades, construction, and industrial businesses across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do workplaces have to have a first aid kit?
Yes. A business must ensure first aid equipment is provided and that each worker can access it. The Code of Practice says that means at least one first aid kit at each workplace, with contents based on a risk assessment.
What must be in a workplace first aid kit?
The Code says a kit should cover cuts, sprains, minor burns, major bleeding, broken bones, eye injuries and shock, and its contents should be based on a risk assessment. Appendix E of the Code gives an example list, including dressings, bandages, saline, nitrile gloves, a resuscitation mask or shield, eye pads and an emergency rescue blanket.
Which of your first aid kits match the Code's example list?
Trafalgar's WM1, WP1, HV1 and National Workplace kits, and Brady's Vehicle Breakdown Pack, each list a counterpart for nearly every item on the Code's example list, in at least the example quantity. A few small items, such as a pen or a CPR flow chart, are not mentioned in some of the listings. Check each listing and your own risk assessment.
How many first aid kits does a workplace need?
At least one. The Code says to keep kits close to higher-risk areas, at least one on every second floor of a multistorey workplace, and a portable kit in the vehicles of mobile workers. It does not give a number of kits per worker, so your risk assessment and layout decide.
Should a first aid kit be locked?
No. The Code says kits should be kept in a prominent, accessible place where they can be retrieved quickly, and that all workers must have access to first aid equipment, including in security-controlled workplaces.
How often should a first aid kit be checked?
After each use or, if it has not been used, at least once every 12 months. The Code says a nominated person, usually a first aider, should replace used items, check expiry dates and the seals on sterile products, and sign and date the inventory list in the kit after each check.
Does a first aid kit need a sign?
Each kit should be immediately identifiable with a white cross on a green background on the outside. The Code also says well-recognised first aid signs help people find first aid equipment and facilities, and points to AS 1319-1994 for sign design.
What first aid kit do I need for a work vehicle?
The Code says mobile workers, such as couriers, taxi drivers and sales representatives, should have a portable first aid kit in their vehicle, safely located so it cannot become a projectile in a collision. Choose contents to suit the hazards of the work.
Can a first aid kit include paracetamol?
The Code says medication, including paracetamol and aspirin, should not be included in first aid kits. The NSW Code says workplaces may consider an asthma-relieving inhaler with a spacer and an epinephrine auto-injector, stored to the manufacturer's instructions and with trained first aiders.
Is there an Australian Standard for workplace first aid kits?
In NSW the reference for workplace kit contents is the Code of Practice, whose Appendix E gives an example list. AS 2675-1983, Portable first aid kits for use by consumers, was written for consumer kits and has been withdrawn.
How many first aiders does a workplace need?
The Code recommends one first aider for every 50 workers in a low risk workplace, one for every 25 in a high risk workplace and one for every 10 in a remote high risk workplace. First aiders should hold nationally recognised first aid training, with CPR refreshed every year and first aid qualifications renewed every three years.