Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Australia
If you run or manage a workplace in Australia — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Australia.
What the law requires in Australia
How many designated first-aiders?
The Code of Practice recommends at least 1 first aider per 50 workers in low-risk workplaces (offices, retail) and 1 per 25 workers in high-risk workplaces (construction, manufacturing, warehousing). Coverage must be maintained across all shifts, floors and remote sites.
Australia governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
The national 'Provide First Aid' statement of attainment (HLTAID011) may be completed via blended delivery: online theory is accepted, but the practical skills assessment (CPR, AED) must be conducted in person with an accredited trainer. CPR refresher is recommended annually, full certification every 3 years.
Region specifics
- The 'model WHS' is a harmonised regime but implemented state-by-state; Victoria and Western Australia have their own variants, so exact thresholds can vary slightly by jurisdiction.
- The employer (PCBU) must provide adequate first aid kits and access to first aid facilities in addition to trained first aiders.
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
Is this really what you're looking for?
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a recognized certification, and exceed the required standards; a hybrid option is also available and fits most needs. Choose the course that fits your situation:
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Healthcare Professional (16h) - Compliant with CSA Z1210-17
This 16-hour first aid training, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, the candidate will receive a certification valid for two years, meeting the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard. Skills will be updated annually, and the training must be renewed every two years to maintain active certification. Tailored for nurses, it strengthens the safety of residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Intermediate Level (16h) – CSA Z1210-17 Compliant
Upon successful completion of this 16-hour IN-PERSON intermediate-level first aid training, the candidate will receive a valid certification that meets the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Safe Work Australia (national WHS policy body) and the state/territory regulators (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, etc.).
Strict requirement: the workplace first-aider certificate must come from an ASQA-registered RTO; a certificate from an unregistered provider has no legal standing on audit regardless of course quality. Our online training is not a registered RTO: it CANNOT satisfy the statutory requirement, only prepare/complement the theory ahead of an HLTAID011 assessment with an RTO.