Quick answer: Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), every Queensland employer must provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities, and trained first aiders for their workplace. Safe Work Australia’s First Aid Code of Practice recommends 1 trained first aider per 25 workers in high-risk environments and 1 per 50 in low-risk settings. The standard qualification is HLTAID011 Provide First Aid ($95 at IRFA, 4 hours, same-day certificate). Book HLTAID011 now →
The WHS Act 2011 — your legal obligation
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 applies to all Queensland workplaces. Section 42 places a primary duty of care on persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) — which includes every employer, sole trader, and self-employed person in the state.
Under this duty, you must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others at your workplace. The WHS Regulation 2011 (Part 3.1, Division 3) specifically addresses first aid:
- Section 42(1) — provide and maintain a work environment that is safe and without risks to health
- Regulation 42 — a PCBU must ensure provision of first aid equipment, that each worker has access to the equipment, and that an adequate number of workers are trained to administer first aid
WorkSafe Queensland is the regulator responsible for enforcing these obligations. Inspectors can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, and infringement notices for non-compliance.
Safe Work Australia’s First Aid Code of Practice
The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice is an approved code under the WHS Act. While not strictly mandatory law, courts and regulators treat compliance with approved codes of practice as evidence that a duty holder has met their obligations. Departing from a code without an equivalent or better approach creates legal risk.
The Code covers:
- How to assess your workplace’s first aid needs
- The number and type of first aiders required
- First aid equipment, kits, and facilities
- Communication and signage requirements
- Record keeping and incident management
How many first aiders does your workplace need?
The Code of Practice provides guidance based on workplace risk level and worker numbers:
Low-risk workplaces
Offices, retail shops, libraries, and similar environments where the primary hazards are slips, trips, and minor incidents.
- 1–10 workers — at least 1 first aider
- 11–50 workers — 1 first aider per 50 workers
- 51+ workers — 1 first aider per 50 workers
High-risk workplaces
Construction sites, manufacturing, warehouses, laboratories, and any environment with significant physical, chemical, or biological hazards.
- 1–10 workers — at least 1 first aider
- 11–25 workers — 1 first aider per 25 workers
- 26+ workers — 1 first aider per 25 workers
Remote or isolated workplaces
Rural properties, mine sites, and locations where emergency services response times exceed 15 minutes. These workplaces should consider additional first aiders and enhanced first aid kits.
Important: these are minimum guidelines. The Code recommends conducting a risk assessment specific to your workplace, considering factors like shift patterns (you need coverage on every shift), remote locations within the premises, and the types of hazards present.
Which qualification do your first aiders need?
The standard first aid qualification accepted across all Queensland industries is:
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid — the nationally accredited general workplace first aid qualification. Valid for 3 years. Includes CPR (HLTAID009) and Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010). Must be delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO) under ASQA.
Additional qualifications may be required depending on your industry:
- Childcare and education — HLTAID012 (includes anaphylaxis and asthma management, required by ACECQA)
- Electricians and ESI workers — UETDRMP018 Low Voltage Rescue (mandatory annual renewal, required by the Electrical Safety Office)
- Construction workers — CPCCWHS1001 White Card (mandatory before entering any construction site, required by QBCC)
The Code of Practice also recommends that first aiders refresh their skills regularly — annual CPR renewal is the Australian Resuscitation Council‘s recommendation.
Industry-specific requirements in Queensland
Healthcare and aged care
Queensland Health facilities require all staff — clinical and non-clinical — to maintain annual CPR certification. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission mandates current CPR and first aid for all direct care staff. NDIS registered support workers also require current first aid.
Construction
WorkSafe Queensland and the QBCC require construction sites to have designated first aid officers with current HLTAID011. The principal contractor is responsible for ensuring adequate first aid provisions. On major infrastructure projects like the Bruce Highway upgrades, multiple first aiders are typically required across different work zones.
Manufacturing, warehousing, and industrial
These high-risk environments typically require 1 first aider per 25 workers. Industrial estates in areas like Brendale, Virginia, and Narangba have high concentrations of businesses that must maintain trained first aiders on every shift.
Retail and hospitality
Shopping centres like Westfield North Lakes and Peninsula Fair require emergency wardens and first aid officers in common areas. Individual retail stores typically need at least one first aider during trading hours.
First aid kits and equipment
The Code of Practice specifies minimum contents for workplace first aid kits. Requirements vary by workplace size and risk level, but every Queensland workplace must have at least one first aid kit that is:
- Accessible to all workers at all times
- Clearly marked with a white cross on a green background (the standard first aid sign)
- Regularly inspected and restocked (at least every 12 months, or after any use)
- Appropriate for the types of injuries likely to occur in your workplace
For high-risk workplaces and remote locations, additional equipment may be required: eye wash stations, burn kits, snake bite bandages, oxygen equipment, or automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to provide adequate first aid provisions is a breach of the WHS Act. WorkSafe Queensland can take enforcement action including:
- Improvement notices — requiring you to fix the issue within a specified timeframe
- Prohibition notices — stopping work until the issue is resolved (typically for immediate safety risks)
- Infringement notices — on-the-spot fines for specific breaches
- Prosecution — for serious or repeated non-compliance, maximum penalties for a body corporate can exceed $3 million under Category 1 offences
Beyond regulatory penalties, an employer who fails to provide adequate first aid and a worker is injured as a result may face civil liability claims, workers’ compensation premium increases, and reputational damage.
Where to train your team in Queensland
IRFA (RTO 32154) delivers WHS-compliant first aid training across Queensland. HLTAID011 is $95 per person, 4 hours, with same-day digital certification.
Sunshine Coast
- Sippy Downs HQ — Unit 5/96 Bellflower Road. From $90. 7 AM sessions available.
North Brisbane & Moreton Bay
- Caboolture Hub — 4 Hasking St. Near hospital and train station.
- North Lakes — Community Centre, 10 The Corso. Near Westfield.
- Redcliffe RSL — Irene Street. Coastal peninsula venue.
- Virginia/Northgate — Northgate Hall, 34 Ridge St. 5 min from train station.
On-site workplace training
For groups of 6+, we deliver training at your workplace anywhere in South East Queensland. Corporate invoicing and 14-day payment terms available. This is the most efficient option for businesses training multiple first aiders — no travel time, no lost productivity, and scenarios can be tailored to your specific workplace hazards.
Call 1300 766 298 for a corporate training quote, or book HLTAID011 online →
Need to check your compliance? If you’re unsure whether your workplace meets Queensland first aid requirements, call IRFA on 1300 766 298. We can help you determine how many first aiders you need, which qualifications are required for your industry, and schedule training to get your team compliant.
