What should a restaurant first aid kit contain?

An Australian restaurant first aid kit should include burns gel and burns dressings (hydrogel sheets, cling film), adhesive bandages and gauze for cuts, eye-wash for splashes, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, a CPR mask, a tourniquet for severe bleeding, thermal blanket, and a body-fluid spill kit. Quantities depend on staff size and Safe Work Australia's first aid code for hospitality.

Are restaurant first aid kits a legal requirement in Australia?

Yes. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the model Code of Practice 'First Aid in the Workplace', all Australian restaurants must provide a first aid kit suitable for the workplace hazards. Restaurants are classified as higher-risk because of burns, knife cuts and chemical exposure - the kit should reflect that.

How often should a restaurant first aid kit be checked?

Restaurant first aid kits should be checked at least every 3 months. Verify all items are within expiry, sterile packs are intact, and used items are immediately replaced. Many restaurants build a monthly check into their food-safety audit routine.

Restaurant First Aid Kit: Essential WHS Checklist

Restaurant kitchen with workplace first aid kit ready

Reviewed by the Medibc First Aid Team — last updated May 2026.

If you manage a restaurant, you’ll know the importance of having a first aid kit to hand. Commercial kitchens can be hazardous areas, and you need to be prepared for common accidents and injuries like cuts, burns and falls.

But what special items should a first aid kit for your restaurant contain? And what else do you need to think about when it comes to first aid and safety in the kitchen?

In our article, we list restaurant first aid kit requirements and answer other kitchen safety-related questions to make your premises a safe and pleasant place to work and dine.

The basics

There are some items in our restaurant first aid kit checklist that are considered the essentials. A typical wall-mounted kitchen first aid kit will include as a basic requirement:

A selection of wound dressings for cuts and abrasions
Adhesive tape to be used with wound dressings
Antiseptic spray to clean and disinfect wound quickly
Alcohol wipes to offer another way to clean wounds
Saline solution, which can be used to clean wounds or as an eyewash
Crepe bandages to hold a dressing in place or support a sore or sprained limb
Cold pack for treating swelling and bruising
Nitrile gloves to prevent infection between caregiver and patient
Resuscitation mask in baby, child and adult sizes: this can be used in CPR to help prevent the transmission of germs
CPR resuscitation pocket card to remind first aiders of how to perform this potentially lifesaving procedure
First aid booklet to enable first aiders to easily look up what to do in the event of illness or injury

Special items

Your catering first aid kit will also contain some special items to be used for kitchen injuries. The best first aid kit for a restaurant will include:

Blue catering plasters, coloured to ensure easy identification should they get mixed up in food ingredients
Eye shower to flush out harmful substances from the eye
Eye pad to dress and protect injured eyes
Burn gel to treat minor burns
Sterile burn dressing to protect injuries sustained
Register of injuries book and pen, essential items to keep in any commercial kitchen

How many first aid kits does my restaurant need?

You will need at least one first aid kit in your kitchen, or more if it is a bigger space, so that supplies can be grabbed quickly in an emergency.

Keep a kit in your staff room and one in your public dining area as well for easy access.

If you offer a food delivery service, it’s sensible to keep a first aid kit in your vehicle to respond to any issues while your employees are out on their rounds.

Where should I store them?

Wall-mounted kits are a great option for commercial kitchens, as they can be seen by everyone and reached quickly in an emergency.

Restaurant first aid kit stocked for kitchen emergencies

You should also have at least one portable first aid kit so that it can be used with ease in any area of your premises.

If you keep your first aid kit in a cupboard, make sure there is a notice on the exterior so that it’s obvious where it’s stored.

All employees should be made aware of the locations of your first aid kits.

Keeping your restaurant first aid kits stocked up

As well as having an adequate number of first aid kits in all the right places, you will need to make regular checks to ensure they are fully stocked and that the products haven’t expired.

Make a checklist to ensure you have everything you need, and order any restaurant first aid kit refills well before the items are used up or go out of date.

Schedule a regular date in your diary when you make your first aid kit checks and order any extra supplies.

What about first aid training?

First aid training is a must for anyone who works in a commercial kitchen, where hazards can include:

Burns and scalds
Cuts while preparing food
Diners suffering anaphylactic shock if they have a severe allergic reaction to food

Get in touch with a registered training organisation that issues nationally recognised qualifications such as St John. They will be able to provide general or custom-designed courses to meet your specific workplace needs.

Find a first aid kit for your restaurant from our range

Follow our restaurant first aid kit checklist to help you source an appropriate kit for your workplace. Having the right items in place will mean you can confidently deal with any minor injuries or provide assistance until a healthcare professional arrives to take over.

Here at MediBC, we offer a range of kits for kitchen and catering premises as well as kit refills so you can restock when required.

We pride ourselves on helping to keep Australia’s catering industry safe with our quality products and responsive customer service.