How many first aid kits are required in an Australian workplace?
While it's tempting to think a single kit on the wall is enough, workplace injuries rarely happen under convenient circumstances.
The reality is that insufficient or poorly located first aid provisions can delay treatment, potentially worsening injuries and exposing businesses to serious legal and employee consequences.
Understanding how many first aid kits are required isn’t about ticking a compliance box; it's about ensuring help is available where and when it’s needed.
Why the number of workplace first aid kits matters
In Australia, employers have a clear duty under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation to provide adequate and accessible first aid equipment.
But “adequate” doesn't mean just enough, and “accessible” isn't just somewhere on site. When an injury occurs, workers don’t have time to search, wait or improvise.
Employers and businesses that underestimate their first aid needs often do so unintentionally. They assume injuries are unlikely, that emergency services are close by, or that one well-stocked kit will cover all situations.
Unfortunately, these assumptions can prove dangerous in a real emergency. Delayed access to first aid can result in significant blood loss, complications from shock, infection risk, prolonged recovery times and even fatalities.
Beyond the human cost, businesses may also face regulatory penalties, workers’ compensation claims and reputational damage.
What Australian WHS law expects from employers
Australian legislation doesn’t specify a fixed number of first aid kits based solely on staff numbers.
Instead, Safe Work Australia requires employers to take a risk-based approach and ensure that first aid equipment is sufficient for the hazards present in the workplace.
Employers must actively consider how injuries are likely to occur, where they may happen, and how quickly help can realistically reach the injured person
A single kit may exist on site, but if it’s locked in an office, located two buildings away or depleted, it doesn’t meet legal expectations.
The focus of compliance is effectiveness and not just presence.
Why one kit is usually not enough
In many Australian workplaces, injuries don’t occur conveniently close to first aid rooms or reception desks.
They happen in loading bays, storerooms, kitchens, plant rooms, stairwells, bathrooms, outdoor areas and vehicles.
When only one kit is available, workers may need to leave an injured colleague unattended to retrieve supplies, increasing the risk of deterioration.
In heavy bleeding injuries, delays of even a few minutes can significantly worsen outcomes. In burn incidents, lack of immediate cooling can deepen tissue damage. In eye injuries, seconds can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent vision loss.
Insufficient first aid kits don’t just delay treatment, but also create panic, confusion and unsafe decision-making under pressure.
How workplace size and layout influence first aid kit needs
The physical layout of a workplace is one of the most overlooked factors when determining first aid kit numbers.
Even relatively small workplaces can have multiple risk zones separated by walls, floors or outdoor distances.
A multi-storey office building, for example, may technically present fewer hazards than a construction site, but a worker on the fifth floor cannot easily access a kit stored on the ground level.
Similarly, a warehouse with long aisles or divided work zones may require multiple kits to ensure timely access.
In practice, first aid kits should be reachable within seconds, without climbing stairs, unlocking doors or navigating obstacles.
Role of workforce size and movement
The more people on site, the greater the likelihood that first aid supplies will be needed, potentially at the same time.
Large teams, shared workplaces, shift work and high visitor traffic all increase demand. Workplaces with mobile staff, contractors or drivers face an additional challenge. If workers regularly operate away from a central location, vehicle-based or portable kits become essential.
Relying solely on a fixed kit inside the main building leaves these workers unsupported when incidents occur off-site.
How does the nature of work change first aid kit requirements
Not all injuries are equal, and not all kits are designed to handle them.
Low-risk office environments may primarily deal with minor cuts, scalds and slips, whereas higher-risk industries encounter crush injuries, burns, chemical exposure and trauma.
In higher-risk environments, more kits are needed. Not just to increase availability, but to ensure the right equipment is close to the hazard.
A single basic kit cannot adequately serve both an office area and a workshop with machinery or welding operations.
When the wrong kit is all that’s available, first aiders are forced to improvise, increasing the risk of ineffective or unsafe care.
Distance to medical help and emergency response times
Australian workplaces located in regional, rural or remote areas face additional challenges.
Emergency services may take longer to arrive, meaning workers rely on the available workplace first aid for extended periods.
In these situations, having multiple well-stocked kits is critical. A single depleted kit may not provide enough supplies to stabilise an injured worker while awaiting professional care.
Remote workplaces often require more and larger kits, specialist modules and additional training to support prolonged first aid response.
What happens when first aid kits are insufficient
The dangers of inadequate first aid provision extend beyond the immediate injury.
Workers who experience delayed or ineffective treatment are more likely to suffer complications, require time off work and experience reduced confidence in workplace safety.
From a legal perspective, regulators may view insufficient first aid equipment as a failure to meet duty of care obligations. This can lead to improvement notices, fines or legal action, particularly if the lack of equipment contributed to harm.
Perhaps most importantly, insufficient kits undermine trust. Workers expect their employer to be prepared for emergencies.
When that trust is broken, safety culture suffers.
How many kits are enough?
Rather than asking “What is the minimum?”, Australian workplace safety guidance encourages employers to ask, “What is reasonable and effective for our workplace?”
This involves assessing hazards, reviewing injury history, mapping the site layout and considering workforce patterns.
In many cases, workplaces discover they need more kits than expected—distributed across different areas rather than concentrated in one location.
A simple rule of thumb is that no worker should be more than 20-30 metres from appropriate first aid supplies, regardless of where an incident occurs.
Kit servicing matters as much as numbers
Having multiple kits is only effective if they’re properly serviced and maintained.
Expired dressings, missing gloves or empty kits offer a false sense of security. Regular inspections ensure kits remain fully stocked and fit for purpose.
After any incident, used items must be replaced immediately. Poor servicing effectively reduces the number of usable kits available, sometimes without anyone realising.
Conclusion
There’s no single number that defines how many first aid kits an Australian workplace requires.
The right number depends on risk, layout, workforce size, type of work and access to medical care. Insufficient first aid kits place workers at risk, delay treatment and expose businesses to legal and operational consequences.
By taking a thoughtful, risk-based approach and prioritising accessibility, servicing and maintenance and training, employers can ensure first aid kits aren’t just present, but truly effective when they’re needed most.
References
Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace
WorkSafe Victoria – Compliance code: First aid in the workplace