Workplace First Aid Kits: The Complete Australian Guide

From offices and retail stores to warehouses, kitchens and cleaning crews, every Australian workplace carries the same baseline duty under WHS law: make sure first aid equipment is available and that every worker can reach it when it counts. Getting it right isn't about buying a box of band-aids — it's a legal obligation, and it's easier to meet than you might think. This guide walks you through the requirements, how to size your kit, what belongs inside it, and the exact kits we stock for Australian businesses.

Table of Contents

• What is a workplace first aid kit?
• Australian WHS requirements for first aid kits
• How many first aid kits does your business need?
• Workplace first aid kits compared
• What should be inside a first aid kit?
• First aid kit maintenance and restocking
• Frequently asked questions

What Is a Workplace First Aid Kit?

A workplace first aid kit is a stocked container of medical supplies that every Australian business must provide under WHS Regulation 42. The number and contents you need depend on your workplace's hazards, size, location and headcount — not just how many staff you employ — and kits must be checked and restocked regularly.

In practice, a first aid kit is the front line of workplace safety. It's the difference between a minor cut staying minor and a preventable injury escalating while someone hunts for supplies. But "a kit" is not one-size-fits-all: a high-risk manufacturing site needs far more than a two-person office, and a mobile cleaning crew needs a kit that travels with the vehicle.

Australian WHS Requirements for First Aid Kits

Under WHS Regulation 42, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure workers have access to first aid equipment, facilities for administering first aid, and an adequate number of trained first aiders. The exact requirements are shaped by four factors: the nature of the work, the hazards present, the size and location of the workplace, and the number and composition of people on site.

Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace sets out the practical standard — and it's the reference point WHS inspectors use. Two authoritative resources are worth bookmarking: the Safe Work Australia first aid topic page and the Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace.

What the law requires you to provide

At a minimum, every workplace must provide at least one first aid kit that all workers can access — including night-shift, overtime and mobile or remote workers. Beyond the kit, you must arrange access to trained first aiders and, where a risk assessment calls for it, a dedicated first aid room.

How many first aiders do you need?

Safe Work Australia recommends one trained first aider for every 50 workers in a low-risk workplace, one for every 25 workers in a high-risk workplace, and one for every 10 in a remote high-risk setting. CPR refresher training should be annual, and full first aid qualifications renewed every three years.

How Many First Aid Kits Does Your Business Need?

The rule of thumb from Safe Work Australia: every worker must be able to reach a kit quickly. That means at least one kit per workplace, plus more if your site is spread across multiple floors, buildings or work areas. A kit buried in a back office on level three is no help to a worker who cuts themselves in the loading dock.

• Low-risk workplaces (offices, retail): one clearly marked kit per floor or work area
• High-risk workplaces (warehouses, kitchens, manufacturing): kits positioned close to hazards, plus a wall-mounted cabinet
• Vehicles and mobile teams: a portable kit per vehicle
• Large sites: a first aid room is recommended for low-risk workplaces with 200+ workers or high-risk sites with 100+

Workplace First Aid Kits Compared

We stock a first aid kit for every size of Australian workplace. Here's how they line up.

Basic First Aid Kit — 120 Piece (best for small teams)

A 120-piece kit covering everyday workplace injuries — cuts, grazes, burns and sprains. The right starting point for offices, retail counters and small cleaning teams. Shop the Basic First Aid Kit — 120 Piece Workplace Kit (SKU 210337, $59.60).

Portable First Aid Kit — 120 Piece (vehicles and field work)

A compact 120-piece kit built for the road. Ideal for cleaning crews, delivery drivers and site teams who work away from a fixed workplace. Shop the Portable First Aid Kit — 120 Piece Compact Kit (SKU 211419, $72.90).

Workplace First Aid Kit 2 — Premium Soft Pack (mid-size teams)

A premium soft-pack kit with extra capacity for growing teams and multi-area sites. Easy to carry, hard to outgrow. Shop the Workplace First Aid Kit 2 — Premium Soft Pack (SKU 210341, $93.86).

What Should Be Inside a First Aid Kit?

Your risk assessment determines the exact contents, but a sound workplace kit includes the basics for the most common workplace injuries:

• Adhesive dressings (band-aids) in assorted sizes
• Sterile wound dressings and gauze
• Triangular and crepe bandages
• Disposable nitrile gloves (for the first aider's protection)
• Antiseptic wipes and saline solution
• Burn treatment and instant cold packs
• Scissors, tweezers and safety pins
• Adhesive tape and conforming bandages
• Eye pads and eyewash
• CPR face shield or mask
• First aid instructions and an incident log

For the person administering first aid, disposable gloves and hand hygiene are just as important as the bandages themselves. See our nitrile gloves buying guide and our workplace hygiene products guide for the supporting supplies every first aid station needs.

First Aid Kit Maintenance and Restocking

A first aid kit is only as good as its contents on the day they're needed. Safe Work Australia requires kits to be maintained and checked regularly. Assign one person responsibility for the kit and schedule a monthly check: replace used items immediately, discard anything past its expiry date, and log every restock.

Two supporting items every kit keeper should have on hand: heavy-duty nitrile gloves to restock cleanly and safely, and a caution wet floor sign for cleaning up the spills that cause slips in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many first aid kits does a small office need?

At least one, positioned where every worker can reach it quickly. A single-floor office of fewer than 25 people usually needs one well-stocked kit; if your team is split across floors or a separate warehouse, provide one kit per work area.

Do I need a first aider as well as a kit?

Yes. Under WHS law you must provide access to trained first aiders in addition to first aid equipment. Safe Work Australia recommends roughly one first aider per 50 workers in low-risk workplaces and one per 25 workers in high-risk workplaces.

How often should a first aid kit be checked?

At least monthly, and after every use. Check for expired or depleted items, restock anything missing, and keep a log. High-traffic or high-risk sites benefit from weekly spot checks.

What is the difference between a workplace kit and a portable kit?

A workplace kit lives in a fixed, clearly marked location such as a wall cabinet or shelf. A portable kit is a compact, carry-friendly case for vehicles, mobile crews and off-site work, so it travels with the worker rather than waiting for them to come to it.

Shop Workplace First Aid Kits

Equip your business with a compliant first aid kit today. Choose from our 120-piece basic kit, the portable kit for vehicles, and the premium soft pack for mid-size teams — all shipped fast across Australia.