An office may feel like one of the safest workplaces in Australia and by WHS standards, it is classified as a low-risk environment. But low risk does not mean no risk. Paper cuts, scalds from the kitchen, rolled ankles, and allergic reactions happen in offices every week. Under Australian law, every office is required to have a properly stocked, accessible first aid kit with no exceptions.
This guide covers exactly what an Australian office must provide to meet the requirements of Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace and state/territory WHS legislation.
Is Your Office Required to Have a First Aid Kit?
Yes. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Commonwealth and state/territory equivalents), every Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must ensure workers have access to first aid equipment. There is no minimum employee threshold even a one-person business with a single employee requires a basic first aid kit on the premises.
| Important: Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice does not create an exemption for small offices or home-based offices. If you have employees working at a location, that location requires a compliant first aid kit. |
How Many First Aid Kits Does an Australian Office Need?
The number of kits required scales with the size of the workplace. For low-risk office environments, the recommended guidance is:
| Number of Employees | Kits Required |
|---|---|
| 1 – 25 | 1 standard kit |
| 26 – 50 | 1 standard kit (may need to consider an additional unit on larger floors) |
| 51 – 100 | At least 2 kits positioned to ensure accessibility across the floor area |
| 100 – 200 | 1 additional kit per additional 50 employees |
| 200+ | 1 additional kit per additional 100 employees |
Multi-storey office buildings should ensure at least one kit is available per floor particularly in buildings where stairwells and lifts could delay access to a kit on another level.
What Must an Australian Office First Aid Kit Contain?
The Code of Practice does not prescribe a mandatory item-by-item list. Instead, it requires that the kit contains enough to treat the injuries and illnesses most likely to occur in that workplace. For a standard Australian office, this means:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Adhesive dressings / plasters (assorted sizes) | Paper cuts, minor lacerations, small abrasions |
| Sterile gauze swabs | Wound cleaning and covering |
| Conforming bandages (5 cm and 7.5 cm) | Wound wrapping, sprain support |
| Triangular bandages (at least 2) | Slings, splinting support, large wound covering |
| Non-stick wound dressings | Covering moderate wounds without adherence |
| Wound closure strips | Holding wound edges together for minor lacerations |
| Antiseptic wipes or solution | Cleaning wounds and surrounding skin before dressing |
| Sterile eye wash pods (15ml) | Flushing eye irritants, dust, or chemical splashes |
| Eye pads (sterile) | Protecting injured or irritated eyes |
| Disposable gloves (nitrile/latex-free, multiple pairs) | Infection control for the person providing first aid |
| CPR face shield / pocket mask | Enabling safe resuscitation |
| Emergency thermal / space blanket | Treating shock or maintaining body temperature |
| Instant cold pack | Minor sprains, strains, bruising |
| Burn gel sachets or dressing | Kitchen scalds, hot beverage spills, minor contact burns |
| Tweezers and scissors | Splinter removal, cutting tape and dressings |
| Safety pins | Securing bandages and slings |
| First aid instruction booklet/reference card | Guidance for trained and untrained responders |
| Kit contents list (current) | Compliance record and restocking reference |
Optional but Recommended Office First Aid Additions
Depending on your office size, location, and workforce needs, consider adding:
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) strongly recommended for offices with more than 25 workers or where access to emergency services may be delayed
- Resuscitation mask with oxygen inlet port for workplaces where CPR may need to be delivered for an extended period
- Blood pressure monitor useful in offices with older workers or known cardiovascular risk
- Emergency contact list including local ambulance, hospital, and a workplace emergency contact
- Personal medication supplies workers must carry their own EpiPens and inhalers, but the office should know who requires these and where they are kept
Kit Location and Signage
An office first aid kit must be:
- Located in a place accessible to all workers a common accessible area such as a kitchen, reception, or central corridor is ideal
- Clearly labelled with the green and white first aid cross symbol (AS 1319-1994)
- Not locked or obstructed if the kit is inside a cupboard, a first aid sign must be displayed on the exterior
- Known to all employees staff should be informed of the kit’s location and the name of the trained first aider during onboarding and refreshers
First Aider Requirements for Offices
Low-risk office workplaces are required to have at least one trained first aider per 50 workers. Key requirements:
- Minimum qualification: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (valid for 3 years)
- CPR: HLTAID009 must be refreshed annually, even if the broader qualification is still valid
- For small offices where it is not practical to have a full-time trained first aider, the PCBU must arrange documented access to a first aider through a nearby business or medical practice
Maintenance and Compliance
An office first aid kit is only valuable if it is maintained properly. Requirements include:
- Inspect and audit the kit at least every 12 months
- Restock immediately after any use
- Check expiry dates on consumables particularly saline pods, antiseptic wipes, and burn gel
- Keep an inspection log in or near the kit
- Review kit contents when the office moves, when the workforce grows significantly, or when new risks are identified
| Common Mistake: Many Australian offices have a first aid kit on the shelf but have never audited it. Kits purchased years ago may contain expired saline, dried-out antiseptic wipes, and missing plasters. An expired kit does not meet WHS obligations. Schedule an annual audit and log it. |
State and Territory Variations
While Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice applies as a national framework, first aid obligations are enforced by state and territory regulators. Key contacts:
- NSW: SafeWork NSW safework.nsw.gov.au
- Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria worksafe.vic.gov.au
- Queensland: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland worksafe.qld.gov.au
- Western Australia: WorkSafe WA worksafe.wa.gov.au
- South Australia: SafeWork SA safework.sa.gov.au
- Tasmania: WorkSafe Tasmania worksafe.tas.gov.au
- ACT: WorkSafe ACT worksafe.act.gov.au
- Northern Territory: NT WorkSafe worksafe.nt.gov.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a home office require a first aid kit?
If you have workers including employees or long-term contractors performing work at your home-based business, a basic first aid kit is required. If you are a sole trader working alone, the obligation is less strict but still advisable.
Can I use a personal first aid kit for the office?
No. A personal first aid kit is for individual use. A workplace kit must be dedicated to the workplace, clearly marked, accessible to all workers, and appropriately stocked for the workplace’s risk profile.
What if we have a first aid room?
Larger offices (generally those with 200 or more workers or with elevated risk) may be required to provide a dedicated first aid room in addition to first aid kits. The room must be equipped with appropriate supplies, a wash basin, and a bed or stretcher.