Are First Aid Kits Mandatory in the Workplace? Australian WHS Rules Explained

Reviewed by the Medibc First Aid Team — last updated July 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Yes — first aid kits are effectively mandatory in Australian workplaces. Under work health and safety law, every business has a duty to provide first aid, and a stocked, accessible first aid kit is the most basic part of meeting that duty. Safe Work Australia is clear that workers must be able to get first aid quickly if they are injured or become ill at work.

This guide explains what the law actually requires, what a compliant workplace first aid kit must contain, whether cafes and restaurants need one, and how many kits your workplace should have. For the wider legal picture, see our companion guide on duty of care in workplace first aid.

Are first aid kits mandatory in the workplace?

In practice, yes. The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 places a primary duty of care on a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking — usually the employer) to ensure the health and safety of workers, so far as is reasonably practicable. The model First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice spells out how to meet that duty, and it requires every workplace to provide first aid equipment — at minimum, at least one suitably stocked and accessible first aid kit.

What the law requires: risk assessment first

The Code of Practice asks you to base your first aid provision on a first aid risk assessment that considers:

• the nature of the work and the hazards involved;
• the size and layout of the workplace and where workers are located;
• the number of workers, contractors and visitors; and
• the workplace’s location and distance from medical help.

A low-risk office needs a basic kit; a workshop, kitchen, construction site or remote worksite needs more comprehensive provision. Following the Code of Practice is the recognised way to comply with your WHS duties on this subject.

What must a compliant workplace first aid kit contain?

The Code of Practice includes an example contents list, which you adjust up based on your risk assessment. A general workplace first aid kit typically includes:

High-risk settings add items to match the hazard — extra eye wash where there are chemicals or machinery, more burn dressings around heat, and trauma supplies on remote sites. Browse compliant workplace first aid kits and kit refills to restock.

Are restaurants and food businesses required to have a first aid kit?

Yes — restaurants, cafes and food businesses are workplaces, so the same WHS duty applies. Kitchens see a lot of burns and knife cuts, so a catering kit is weighted toward burn gel, dressings and plasters. Many food businesses also use blue detectable plasters, which are easy to spot if they come loose near food and are often metal-detectable — supporting good food-safety practice. See our catering & kitchen first aid kits.

How many first aid kits does a workplace need?

There is no single number — it comes back to your risk assessment. The guiding principles are:

• Accessibility: kits must be in prominent, clearly-signed places where they can be reached quickly.
• Proximity to risk: place kits near higher-risk areas — a workshop, kitchen or laboratory should have its own.
• Size and spread of the workplace: large sites, multiple floors or separate buildings need multiple kits so no worker is far from one.
• Mobile and remote work: vehicles and remote teams need their own portable kits.

For spread-out or higher-risk operations, also look at remote-area kits and vehicle kits, and consider a defibrillator (AED).

Keeping your kit compliant

Providing a kit once is not enough — you must keep it ready. Nominate someone to maintain each kit, restock items after use, replace anything past its expiry date, and check kits regularly. Make sure workers know where kits are and who the first aiders are.

Sources: Safe Work Australia — Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace; Safe Work Australia — First aid. Requirements vary by state and territory — confirm the rules that apply to your workplace.