Workplace First Aid Checklist Australia | Kits, First Aiders & WHS Readiness

June 21, 2026

Workplace first aid is more than having a kit on the wall

First aid is an important part of workplace health and safety. In Australia, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has duties relating to the provision of first aid in the workplace.

Safe Work Australia states that workplaces must provide access to at least one first aid kit, first aid facilities and trained first aiders. Workers must be able to access first aid equipment, facilities and trained first aiders at all times, including during night shifts, overtime and when working away from the usual workplace.

A workplace first aid checklist can help you review whether your workplace is prepared, whether your kits are stocked and accessible, and whether your first aid arrangements still reflect your current workplace risks.

If you are reviewing your workplace supplies, you can also browse our first aid consumables and replacement supplies, workplace first aid kits and broader first aid supplies range.

Why use a workplace first aid checklist?

First aid needs are not the same for every workplace. An office, construction site, warehouse, mobile workforce, clinic, school, support service or remote worksite may all require different first aid arrangements.

Safe Work Australia recommends using a first aid risk assessment to determine what equipment, facilities and training are needed. The assessment should consider the type of work, workplace hazards, workplace size and location, and the number and needs of people at the workplace, including workers, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers and visitors.

A regular workplace first aid review can help confirm that:

first aid kits are available and easy to access;
supplies are clean, sealed where required, in date and suitable for workplace risks;
trained first aiders are available and easy to identify;
workers know where to find first aid equipment and support;
first aid arrangements are reviewed when workplace conditions change.

For official national guidance, visit Safe Work Australia – First Aid. ACT workplaces can also refer to the WorkSafe ACT First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice.

1. Check your workplace first aid risk profile

Start by reviewing the workplace itself. Consider whether your current first aid arrangements still reflect the work being performed and the risks present in your organisation.

Consider:

What type of work is being performed?
Are there risks such as cuts, burns, chemicals, machinery, sharps, falls, heat exposure or manual handling injuries?
Are workers spread across several areas, floors, buildings or vehicles?
Do workers travel, work remotely or work alone?
Are visitors, children, clients, patients or support participants present?
Have staffing levels, work activities or site layouts changed?
How quickly can emergency services reach the workplace?

Safe Work Australia advises considering workplace hazards, size and location as well as the number and needs of people at the workplace. Consultation with workers is also an important part of assessing and reviewing first aid arrangements.

2. Check that first aid kits are available and accessible

Safe Work Australia states that workplaces must have access to at least one first aid kit. More kits may be appropriate where a workplace is spread across several areas, where workers travel for work or where the risk assessment identifies a need for additional equipment.

First aid kits should be located where workers can see and access them quickly. Safe Work Australia also recommends locating them close to areas where there is a higher risk of injury or illness and inside work vehicles where workers travel as part of their job.

When checking your workplace first aid kits, confirm that:

each kit can be readily located;
kits are accessible when workers need them;
appropriate signage is provided;
workers know where kits are located;
kits are available close to relevant higher-risk areas;
vehicle kits are available where required;
kits are clean, intact and appropriately protected from damage.

If you need an additional or replacement kit, browse our workplace first aid kits.

3. Check kit contents, expiry dates and condition

Workplace first aid kits should be maintained and checked regularly. Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice recommends checking a kit after each use or, where the kit has not been used, at least once every 12 months. Used items should be replaced as soon as practicable.

Many organisations choose to perform additional routine checks based on kit usage, workplace hazards and operating conditions. A monthly internal inspection, for example, can provide a practical opportunity to identify missing items, damaged packaging and products approaching their expiry dates.

During a kit check, review whether:

required items are present;
sterile dressings are sealed and within their expiry dates;
bandages are clean and usable;
disposable gloves are available and suitable;
resuscitation barriers or CPR face shields are present where required;
wound care products remain appropriately packaged;
burn-related products are available where workplace risks require them;
eye care products are available where relevant;
scissors, tweezers, safety pins and waste bags are present where required;
used, damaged, contaminated or expired items have been removed and replaced;
the kit contents still reflect the workplace's current first aid needs.

Individual replacement products can be ordered through our First Aid Consumables & Kit Refills collection.

For more detail on checking schedules, read How Often Should Workplace First Aid Kits Be Checked?

4. Check trained first aider coverage

First aiders may be workers or other trained people. Safe Work Australia recommends that first aiders hold a nationally recognised statement of attainment from a registered training organisation and attend training regularly to keep their knowledge current.

As a general guide, Safe Work Australia recommends:

one first aider for every 50 workers in low-risk workplaces;
one first aider for every 25 workers in high-risk workplaces;
one first aider for every 10 workers in remote high-risk workplaces.

These are recommended ratios rather than a substitute for assessing the actual first aid needs of the workplace.

Review whether:

there are enough first aiders for the workforce and workplace risks;
first aiders are available across relevant shifts and operating hours;
first aider contact information is easy to find;
workers know how to contact a first aider;
first aider training remains current;
additional training is appropriate for specific workplace risks.

Additional first aid training may be appropriate where work is remote or isolated, dangerous substances are present, specialist equipment or a first aid room is required, children are present, psychological risks have been identified or workers have known medical conditions that may require first aid.

5. Check first aid facilities and first aid room needs

Not every workplace requires a dedicated first aid room. A workplace risk assessment should help determine whether one is appropriate.

Safe Work Australia recommends having a first aid room in:

low-risk workplaces with 200 or more workers;
high-risk workplaces with 100 or more workers.

Where first aid is provided, consider whether your workplace has:

a suitable area where first aid can be provided;
appropriate access to hygiene and waste disposal facilities;
space for first aid treatment where required;
clear access for emergency services;
suitable arrangements for higher-risk work areas.

6. Keep records and schedule regular reviews

A workplace first aid checklist should not be completed once and then forgotten. First aid arrangements should be reviewed regularly and when workplace circumstances change.

Consider reviewing your arrangements when:

new hazards are introduced;
staffing numbers change;
work moves to a new site;
workplace layouts change;
incidents or near misses occur;
kit products are repeatedly used;
first aiders leave or their training requires renewal;
workers raise concerns;
vehicles, shifts or remote work arrangements change.

Keeping a simple record of each kit check can help track kit locations, missing products, expiry dates, replacement items and follow-up actions.

For workplaces managing several kits, vehicles or locations, a first aid kit register can make ongoing checks easier to coordinate.

7. Review whether consumables need replacing

Routine first aid checks will often identify individual items that need replenishing rather than requiring the complete kit to be replaced.

Common replacement products may include:

adhesive dressings;
wound dressings;
non-adherent dressings;
combine dressings;
gauze swabs;
saline ampoules;
bandages;
medical tape;
disposable gloves;
eye pads;
thermal blankets;
CPR barriers;
other workplace-specific first aid products.

Browse our first aid consumables and replacement supplies for individual products used during first aid kit restocking.

8. Review whether you need additional or replacement first aid kits

Restocking individual products may be sufficient when the existing kit remains suitable. However, your organisation may need additional or replacement first aid kits if:

the existing kit container is damaged;
the kit no longer reflects current workplace risks;
your workforce has grown;
new locations or work areas have been added;
additional vehicles require first aid equipment;
your workplace needs a more organised or modular system;
existing kits are difficult to inspect or replenish efficiently.

View our First Aid Kits Australia collection for workplace, vehicle, modular, sports and remote-work kit options.

Download a workplace first aid checklist

To make your next workplace review easier, Enzo Medix has prepared a practical Workplace First Aid Checklist that can be printed and used during routine inspections.

Use it to review:

workplace risk factors;
first aid kit access and visibility;
stock levels and expiry dates;
first aider coverage;
first aid facilities;
restocking requirements and follow-up actions.

Download the checklist: Workplace First Aid Checklist.

First aid kit management for Canberra and Queanbeyan workplaces

Some organisations prefer to manage their own workplace first aid kit checks, while others may benefit from assistance with inspecting, organising and replenishing multiple kits.

Enzo Medix provides first aid kit checking, restocking and management support for eligible workplaces across Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding areas.

The service can assist with identifying used, expired, damaged or missing consumables and replacing individual items where appropriate. It can also support organisations managing first aid kits across offices, vehicles, site rooms and other workplace locations.

If you manage your own kits, you can instead order individual first aid consumables and replacement products for delivery Australia-wide.

Buying workplace first aid supplies

Organisations setting up new workplaces or purchasing centrally may need more than kit refill products. Enzo Medix supplies complete workplace kits, individual consumables, PPE, AED products and other first aid equipment.

Browse our First Aid Supplies collection for our broader workplace first aid range.

For larger quantities, multi-site requirements or recurring purchasing, visit our bulk first aid supplies and account pricing page.

Related workplace first aid guides

Continue reviewing your workplace first aid arrangements with these related Enzo Medix resources:

Frequently asked questions

Does every workplace need a first aid kit?

Safe Work Australia states that workplaces must provide access to at least one first aid kit. Additional kits may be appropriate depending on the size, layout, location and risks of the workplace.

How often should workplace first aid kits be checked?

Safe Work Australia's Model Code recommends checking kits after each use or, if a kit has not been used, at least once every 12 months. Workplaces may choose to conduct more frequent routine checks depending on kit usage and workplace risks.

How many trained first aiders should a workplace have?

Safe Work Australia recommends one first aider for every 50 workers in low-risk workplaces, one for every 25 workers in high-risk workplaces and one for every 10 workers in remote high-risk workplaces. Workplace circumstances should also be considered when determining first aider coverage.

When is a first aid room recommended?

Safe Work Australia recommends a first aid room for low-risk workplaces with 200 or more workers and high-risk workplaces with 100 or more workers. The workplace risk assessment should determine whether a first aid room is required.

Can individual first aid products be replaced instead of the entire kit?

Yes. Where the existing kit remains suitable, individual used, expired, damaged or missing consumables can often be replaced. Browse our first aid consumables and kit refill supplies for individual replacement products.

Does Enzo Medix provide first aid kit restocking in Canberra?

Yes. Enzo Medix provides first aid kit checking and restocking support for eligible workplaces across Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding areas.

Keep your workplace first aid arrangements up to date

Workplace first aid involves more than simply having a kit available. First aid equipment, trained first aiders, facilities and workplace procedures should reflect the actual risks, size, location and needs of your organisation.

Regular reviews can help identify missing or expired supplies, changes in workplace risks and areas where additional first aid equipment or training may be needed.

Need to review, restock or replace your workplace first aid supplies?

This article provides general information only and does not replace a workplace risk assessment or advice from the relevant work health and safety regulator. First aid arrangements should be determined according to the circumstances and risks of your workplace. Refer to Safe Work Australia and your state or territory regulator for current guidance.

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