Did you know that under the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice, every single workplace in Australia must provide accessible first aid equipment? Failing to comply not only risks the safety of your staff but can lead to significant penalties for business owners.
Whether you run a corporate office in Sydney, a warehouse in Revesby, or a remote mining site in WA, the requirements differ drastically based on your risk profile. In this guide, we break down exactly which First Aid Kit you need to stay compliant in 2025.
1. Assessing Your Risk: Which Kit Do You Need?
The first step in compliance is determining if your workplace is "Low Risk" or "High Risk". This classification dictates the contents and container type of your required kit.
Low-Risk Workplaces
Examples: Offices, Libraries, Retail Shops.
For these environments, hazards are generally limited to minor cuts, headaches, or burns. You require a standard kit that protects against common illnesses and minor injuries.
- Requirement: Basic B-Type Kit.
- Container: Can be a soft pack or hard plastic case, usually stored in a cupboard or kitchen area.
- Recommendation: Shop our Office & Low Risk First Aid Kits.
High-Risk Workplaces
Examples: Construction Sites, Manufacturing, Trades, Warehouses.
If your staff use power tools, hazardous machinery, or work in mobile environments, the risk of serious injury (crush injuries, severe cuts, eye trauma) is higher. You need a comprehensive kit.
- Requirement: Pro/Industrial Kit (often with additional modules for burns or eye injuries).
- Container: Must be rugged. We recommend metal wall-mountable cabinets for warehouses or durable soft-packs for vehicle fleets.
- Recommendation: View our range of Industrial First Aid Kits.
2. What Must Be In Your Kit? (The Compliance Checklist)
While specific contents vary, a compliant workplace kit should generally meet AS 2675-1983 standards. Essential items typically include:
- Eye Pads: Essential for protecting eyes from dust and debris common on sites.
- Thermal Shock Blanket: Mandatory for treating shock after a major injury.
- Burn Gel/Dressings: Critical for environments with welding equipment or hot machinery.
- Resuscitation Mask: To safely perform CPR without direct contact.
- Heavy Duty Bandages: For supporting sprains or securing dressings.
3. Location & Signage Rules
Having a kit is useless if nobody can find it in an emergency. Australian Standard AS 1319 sets out the requirements for safety signage.
Your First Aid Kit must be:
- Clearly Visible: Marked with the white cross on a green background.
- Accessible: Not locked away (unless there is a security risk, in which case key holders must be known).
- Signed: If the kit is hidden in a cupboard, a First Aid Sign must be placed on the exterior door.
4. Maintenance: Don't Get Caught Empty
A common compliance failure is an expired or empty kit. We recommend auditing your First Aid supplies every 12 months.
Check for:
- Expired saline or eye wash.
- Dried out antiseptic swabs.
- Missing band-aids (these get used the most!).
Tip: Don't replace the whole kit if the box is fine. Simply buy a First Aid Refill Pack to bring your supplies back up to standard instantly.
Ensure Your Workplace is Safe Today
Compliance doesn't have to be complicated. At 1st Safety, we stock pre-packed, code-compliant kits ready for immediate dispatch across Australia.