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What Should Be in a Workplace First Aid Kit? An Australian Checklist
October 5, 2026 Innovation Project Team

What Should Be in a Workplace First Aid Kit? An Australian Checklist

Every Australian workplace needs access to first aid equipment, but there's no single kit that suits everyone. An office, a warehouse and a commercial kitchen face very different risks.

Key takeaways
  • First aid needs to match your workplace's risks, size and remoteness.
  • Use the Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice (or WorkSafe Victoria's compliance code in VIC).
  • Add modules for burns, eyes or remote work where relevant.
  • Check and restock kits regularly and after every use.

Start with your risks

Under work health and safety laws, employers need to provide first aid that suits their workplace. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace guides most states and territories, and in Victoria WorkSafe Victoria publishes a compliance code on first aid. Think about:

  • the type of work and hazards (machinery, chemicals, heat, sharp tools)
  • how many people are on site
  • how far you are from medical help
  • any additional modules needed (eye injuries, burns, remote work)

Core contents checklist

  • Instructions for providing first aid, including CPR
  • Disposable gloves (several pairs)
  • Resuscitation face shield or mask
  • Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings in assorted sizes
  • Sterile non-adherent wound dressings, small and large
  • Sterile eye pads
  • Sterile saline for cleaning wounds and flushing eyes
  • Wound cleaning wipes
  • Triangular bandages
  • Crepe or conforming bandages of different widths
  • Adhesive tape
  • Safety pins, scissors, tweezers and splinter probes
  • Emergency (space) blanket
  • Instant cold pack
  • Plastic bags for waste
  • Notebook and pen for recording incidents

Extra modules to consider

  • Burns: hydrogel burn dressings and clean cling wrap
  • Eyes: extra saline and eye pads near chemical handling
  • Remote or outdoor work: snake bite bandages, larger dressings, a thermal blanket

Keep it ready

  • Put kits where people can reach them quickly, clearly signed.
  • Assign someone to check contents regularly and after every use.
  • Replace anything used, damaged or past its expiry date.
  • Make sure everyone knows where the kit is and who the first aiders are.

Restocking is where most kits fall down. Keeping a small reserve of gloves, dressings and saline on the shelf makes it quick to top up.

How many kits do you need?

Every worker should be able to reach a kit quickly. Large or multi-level sites, separate buildings, vehicles and remote work usually need more than one kit. Consider portable kits for staff who work away from the main site.

First aiders and training

As well as kits, workplaces need enough trained first aiders for their size and risk level, and everyone should know how to contact them. Display first aid and emergency contact information where it's easy to see.

Monthly first aid kit check

  1. Is the kit in its usual, signed location?
  2. Is the seal intact, or has it been opened?
  3. Are gloves, dressings and saline fully stocked?
  4. Is anything past its expiry date?
  5. Are the first aid instructions and contact list current?
  6. Record the check date and who did it.
Restock your first aid kit

Gloves, wound dressings and consumables in bulk, with free standard shipping on orders over $200.

Disposable gloves →Health & personal care →Trade pricing →

Frequently asked questions

Is a first aid kit a legal requirement in Australia?

Yes. Work health and safety laws require employers to provide first aid equipment and facilities, and access to trained first aiders, suited to their workplace. Codes of practice explain how to meet this.

What is the difference between a type A and type B first aid kit?

Some suppliers label kits by size or risk level. What matters legally is that the contents suit your workplace's hazards, size and location, as described in the relevant code of practice.

How often should a workplace first aid kit be checked?

Check kits regularly (many workplaces do it monthly) and after every use, replacing anything used, damaged or expired.

Does Victoria follow the national first aid code?

Victoria has its own OHS laws and WorkSafe Victoria publishes a compliance code on first aid in the workplace. Most other states and territories use Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by the Innovation Project team.

Filed in: First Aid
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