How Many First Aiders Does My Workplace Need? Australian WHS Requirements

How Many First Aiders Does My Workplace Need?

Determining the correct number of first aiders for your workplace is a legal obligation under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. Getting this wrong — having too few first aiders — can have serious consequences in the event of a workplace medical emergency. This guide explains the requirements that apply to Perth and Western Australian businesses.

The Legal Framework

In Western Australia, workplace first aid requirements are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022. These regulations require that every Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) provide first aid equipment and ensure access to facilities for the administration of first aid.

The specific number of first aiders required is not fixed by a single ratio. Instead, the regulations require employers to conduct a risk assessment to determine the appropriate number of first aiders based on the nature of the work, the number of workers, and other relevant factors.

Safe Work Australia Guidance on First Aider Numbers

Safe Work Australia's First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice provides practical guidance on determining appropriate first aider numbers. The Code recommends the following as a starting point:

Workplace Type	Recommended Ratio
Low-risk workplace (e.g., office)	1 first aider per 50 workers
High-risk workplace (e.g., construction, manufacturing)	1 first aider per 25 workers
Remote or isolated work	At least 1 first aider on site at all times

These ratios are minimum starting points and should be adjusted upward based on the specific risk assessment for your workplace.

Factors That Increase First Aider Requirements

Several factors may require you to have more first aiders than the basic ratio suggests:

Shift work: If your workplace operates across multiple shifts, you need first aiders on each shift. Having five first aiders who all work the same shift provides no coverage during other shifts.

Large or dispersed workplaces: If your workplace covers a large physical area or multiple buildings, you may need first aiders in different locations to ensure that first aid can be provided promptly in any part of the facility.

High-risk work activities: Work involving heights, confined spaces, hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery, or other high-risk activities increases the likelihood and potential severity of injuries, requiring more first aiders.

Remote locations: Workplaces that are remote from emergency medical services require more first aiders because the response time of ambulance services will be longer.

Workers with known medical conditions: If your workforce includes workers with known medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart conditions, or severe allergies) that may require first aid intervention, this should be factored into your assessment.

What Qualifications Do First Aiders Need?

In Australia, there are two primary first aid qualifications:

HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): This is the basic qualification covering CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). It does not qualify someone as a first aider for general workplace purposes but is a prerequisite for higher-level qualifications.

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid: This is the standard workplace first aid qualification. It covers CPR, management of a wide range of injuries and medical emergencies, and the use of an AED. This is the qualification required for designated workplace first aiders.

HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting: This qualification is required for first aiders working in childcare centres, early learning centres, and schools. It includes additional content relevant to paediatric first aid.

How Often Must First Aid Training Be Renewed?

First aid qualifications have a limited validity period:

• HLTAID009 CPR: Must be renewed every 12 months
• HLTAID011 First Aid: Must be renewed every 3 years, with CPR component renewed annually

These renewal requirements apply to all workplace first aiders. Employers should maintain a register of first aider qualifications and their expiry dates, and ensure that renewals are scheduled well in advance of expiry.

First Aid Equipment Requirements

In addition to having trained first aiders, employers must provide appropriate first aid equipment. The minimum requirement is a first aid kit that is:

• Appropriate for the nature and size of the workplace
• Maintained in good condition with all items in date
• Accessible to all workers
• Clearly marked with a white cross on a green background

For workplaces with higher risk profiles, additional equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), eyewash stations, or emergency showers may be required.

The Importance of Regular Training

First aid skills deteriorate rapidly without regular practice. Research shows that CPR skills in particular decline significantly within months of training. Annual CPR refresher training is not just a regulatory requirement — it is essential for ensuring that your first aiders can actually perform effective CPR when it is needed.

Ready Set Rescue WA delivers HLTAID011 First Aid and HLTAID009 CPR training onsite at your Perth workplace, minimising disruption to your operations while ensuring your team is genuinely prepared to respond to a medical emergency.