How Many First Aiders Does Your Queensland Workplace Need?

The recommended ratios

The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice, approved under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, provides the following guidance:

Low-risk workplaces

Offices, call centres, retail shops, libraries, professional services, and similar environments where the primary hazards are slips, trips, ergonomic issues, and minor incidents.

• 1–10 workers → at least 1 first aider
• 11–50 workers → at least 1 first aider for every 50 workers
• 51–200 workers → 1 first aider per 50 workers
• 200+ workers → 1 first aider per 50 workers, plus a dedicated first aid room

High-risk workplaces

Construction sites, manufacturing plants, warehouses, laboratories, farms, food processing, mining, and any environment with significant physical, chemical, biological, or ergonomic hazards.

• 1–10 workers → at least 1 first aider
• 11–25 workers → at least 1 first aider for every 25 workers
• 26–100 workers → 1 first aider per 25 workers
• 100+ workers → 1 first aider per 25 workers, plus a dedicated first aid room

Remote or isolated workplaces

Locations where emergency services response time exceeds 15 minutes — rural properties around Caboolture, farm operations, mine sites, forestry, and remote infrastructure projects.

• Higher ratios are recommended (1 per 10–15 workers)
• Enhanced first aid kits with additional supplies
• Consider communication equipment (satellite phone, emergency beacon)
• First aiders should have advanced training in prolonged care

How to determine your workplace risk level

The Code of Practice requires you to conduct a risk assessment specific to your workplace. Factors that increase risk include:

• Nature of work — manual labour, working at heights, exposure to chemicals, use of heavy machinery, electrical work
• Workplace environment — outdoor work in Queensland heat, confined spaces, remote locations, multi-level buildings
• Worker demographics — young or inexperienced workers, ageing workforce, workers with existing health conditions
• Incident history — previous injuries, near-misses, and workers’ compensation claims at your workplace
• Emergency services access — response time from the nearest ambulance station to your workplace
• Shift patterns — night shifts, skeleton crews, lone workers

If your workplace falls between low and high risk, err on the side of the higher ratio. The cost of training an extra first aider ($95 per person) is negligible compared to the cost of an inadequate emergency response.

Beyond the minimum — what the Code actually says

The ratios above are starting points, not absolute rules. The Code of Practice is clear that employers must consider their specific circumstances. Common situations that require more first aiders than the basic ratio suggests:

• Multiple floors or buildings — you need at least one first aider accessible on each floor or in each building. A first aider on Level 5 cannot help someone who collapses on Level 1.
• Multiple shifts — the ratio applies per shift, not per total headcount. If you have 50 workers across two shifts, you need at least 1 first aider on each shift (not 1 total).
• Leave and absences — if your only first aider is on annual leave, sick leave, or lunch break, you have zero coverage. The Code recommends having enough first aiders to account for planned absences.
• Large premises — shopping centres, university campuses, hospital grounds, and large industrial estates may need first aiders positioned across different zones.
• Public-facing venues — workplaces with high foot traffic (retail, hospitality, entertainment) should consider additional first aiders for incidents involving members of the public.

Shift work, remote areas & multi-site considerations

Shift work coverage

For businesses operating multiple shifts, calculate your first aider requirement per shift — not per total workforce. A factory with 60 workers across three shifts (20 per shift) needs at least 1 first aider per shift in a high-risk environment, not 1 total. Many Moreton Bay manufacturing and logistics businesses operate 24/7 and need trained first aiders on every shift.

Multi-site businesses

Each worksite requires its own first aid provision. A construction company with workers across three different sites in North Brisbane — say projects in North Lakes, Caboolture, and Virginia — needs trained first aiders at each site, not just at head office.

Remote and rural workplaces

Properties around Caboolture, Upper Caboolture, Wamuran, and the Moreton Bay hinterland may face ambulance response times of 20–30+ minutes. In these situations, first aiders are the critical link between an injury occurring and paramedics arriving. The Code recommends higher ratios and enhanced training for remote workers.

Industry-specific requirements in Queensland

Construction

The principal contractor on a construction site must ensure adequate first aid is provided. For major projects (like the Bruce Highway upgrades or North Lakes residential developments), this typically means at least one first aider per 25 workers per zone, dedicated first aid facilities, and all supervisors holding HLTAID011. All workers also need a White Card (CPCCWHS1001).

Childcare and education

ACECQA regulations require at least one person with current first aid, anaphylaxis, and asthma qualifications in every room where children are being cared for — at all times. This is stricter than general workplace requirements. See our HLTAID012 Queensland guide for full details.

Healthcare and aged care

While healthcare workers have clinical training, the Aged Care Quality Commission and NDIS Commission both require current first aid certification for direct care staff. Annual CPR renewal is mandatory for all Queensland Health employees.

Retail and shopping centres

Shopping centres like Westfield North Lakes and Peninsula Fair require emergency wardens and first aid officers in common areas. Individual retailers should have at least one trained first aider during trading hours, with additional coverage for stock rooms and loading docks.

Which qualification do your first aiders need?

• Standard workplaces → HLTAID011 Provide First Aid ($95, 4 hours, valid 3 years)
• Childcare and education → HLTAID012 ($95, 4 hours, ACECQA approved)
• All workers → Annual CPR renewal (HLTAID009) ($45, 2 hours)
• Electricians → UETDRMP018 Low Voltage Rescue ($95, 3 hours, annual renewal)
• Construction workers → CPCCWHS1001 White Card ($95, 2 hours)

Quick calculator

Use this formula to estimate your minimum first aider requirement:

1. Determine your risk level — low (office, retail) or high (construction, manufacturing, warehouse)
2. Count your maximum workers per shift — not total headcount, but the most people on site at any one time
3. Divide by the appropriate ratio — 50 for low-risk, 25 for high-risk
4. Round up — always round up to the next whole number
5. Add buffer for absences — add at least 1 extra first aider to cover leave, breaks, and unexpected absences
6. Multiply by number of shifts — if you operate more than one shift, each shift needs its own first aiders

Example: A Brendale warehouse with 60 workers per shift across 2 shifts = (60 ÷ 25 = 2.4 → round up to 3) + 1 buffer = 4 first aiders per shift × 2 shifts = 8 trained first aiders needed.

What happens if you don’t have enough first aiders?

WorkSafe Queensland can take enforcement action for inadequate first aid provisions:

• Improvement notices — requiring you to train additional first aiders within a specified timeframe
• Infringement notices — on-the-spot fines for specific breaches
• Prohibition notices — in extreme cases, work may be stopped until adequate first aid is in place
• Prosecution — if a worker is seriously injured and inadequate first aid provision is a contributing factor, penalties can be severe

Beyond regulatory penalties, employers face civil liability, increased workers’ compensation premiums, and reputational damage when first aid coverage is inadequate.

Training your team

IRFA (RTO 32154) makes it easy to get your entire team compliant. Options include:

Venue-based training

Send individual workers or small groups to any of our Queensland venues:

• Sippy Downs HQ — from $90pp, 7 AM sessions
• Caboolture Hub — near hospital & train, free parking
• North Lakes — near Westfield, bus & train access
• Redcliffe RSL — peninsula, on-site parking
• Northgate Hall — 5 min from train, near airport

On-site workplace training

For groups of 6+, we come to you — anywhere in South East Queensland. Training is delivered at your workplace during hours that suit your operations. Benefits include: no travel time for workers, scenarios tailored to your specific workplace hazards, and group discounts. Corporate invoicing with 14-day payment terms available.

Annual renewal program

Once your team is certified, we set up annual CPR renewal reminders and can schedule recurring group sessions at your workplace. This ensures you never have a compliance gap.

Need a compliance assessment? Not sure how many first aiders your workplace needs? Call 1300 766 298 and we’ll walk through your situation and recommend a training plan.

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Related guides: Workplace First Aid Requirements QLD — WHS Act Guide · HLTAID012 Queensland Childcare Guide · White Card Queensland Guide