Quick answer — what does Queensland law require?
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD), every Queensland employer must provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities, and trained first aiders appropriate to the nature of the work and the hazards present. The specific requirements are set out in the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace, which Queensland adopts as its standard.
There is no single number that applies to every workplace. The required number of first aiders depends on your industry risk level, the number of workers, and how far your workplace is from emergency medical services.
How many first aiders does your workplace need?
Safe Work Australia’s code of practice provides the following guidance for determining the number of first aiders:
Low-risk workplaces
Offices, retail stores, libraries, call centres, professional services firms, and similar sedentary work environments are classified as low risk. The recommendation is one first aider for every 50 workers per shift at a minimum, with at least one trained first aider present at all times during working hours.
For a typical North Brisbane office with 20–50 employees, this means at least one person holding current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid must be on-site during all operating hours.
High-risk workplaces
Construction sites, manufacturing plants, warehouses, mining operations, farms, workshops, and any workplace involving machinery, chemicals, heights, or heavy physical labour are classified as high risk. The recommendation increases to one first aider for every 25 workers per shift.
High-risk workplaces must also consider the types of injuries likely to occur and ensure first aiders are trained to manage those specific risks. For construction in North Brisbane — with major developments across North Lakes, Caboolture, and the Moreton Bay corridor — site supervisors and WHS officers typically need both HLTAID011 and knowledge of site-specific hazards.
Remote or isolated workplaces
If your workplace is more than 10 minutes from emergency medical services (ambulance or hospital), you need additional first aid provisions. This includes more trained first aiders, enhanced first aid kits, and potentially a designated first aid room. Many rural properties, construction sites in development areas, and remote industrial facilities in the Moreton Bay region fall into this category.
Which first aid qualification do employers need?
The standard workplace first aid qualification in Australia is HLTAID011 Provide First Aid. This is a nationally accredited unit of competency that covers the DRSABCD action plan, CPR, wound management, burns, fractures, anaphylaxis, asthma, choking, and other workplace emergencies.
Key requirements for the qualification:
- HLTAID011 certificate validity: 3 years from date of issue
- CPR component (HLTAID009): must be renewed annually, even within the 3-year HLTAID011 period
- Issuing RTO: must be an ASQA-registered training organisation (like IRFA, RTO 32154)
- Delivery: must include face-to-face practical assessment — online-only certificates do not meet the standard
Additional qualifications by industry
Some industries have requirements beyond the standard HLTAID011:
- Childcare and education: At least one educator must hold HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting at all times when children are present. This is mandated by the Education and Care Services National Law under Regulation 136.
- Electrical workers: Licensed electricians must hold annual UETDRMP018 Low Voltage Rescue certification alongside current CPR (HLTAID009).
- Construction: All workers need a White Card (CPCCWHS1001) before entering a construction site. Site supervisors and first aid officers need HLTAID011.
- NDIS providers: The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requires registered support workers to hold current HLTAID011 and annual HLTAID009 CPR renewal.
- AHPRA-registered practitioners: Nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and other registered health practitioners must maintain annual CPR competency through HLTAID009.
What first aid equipment must employers provide?
Queensland employers must provide and maintain:
First aid kits
At least one compliant first aid kit per workplace, stocked according to the type and size of the workplace. Safe Work Australia specifies minimum contents including bandages, dressings, wound cleaning supplies, gloves, resuscitation masks, scissors, and thermal blankets. Kits must be clearly marked, easily accessible, and regularly checked for expired or depleted items.
High-risk workplaces and larger sites may need multiple kits — one per work area or floor. Remote workplaces need enhanced kits with additional supplies including snake bite bandages, burn treatment supplies, and emergency communication devices.
First aid facilities
Workplaces with 200 or more workers should provide a dedicated first aid room that is clean, private, adequately lit, and equipped with running water, a treatment bed, and first aid supplies. Smaller workplaces need a designated first aid area that provides privacy for treatment.
Communication systems
Every workplace must have a reliable way to call emergency services (000). In remote locations without reliable mobile coverage, satellite phones or emergency beacons may be required. First aid signage must clearly indicate the location of first aid kits, the names of trained first aiders, and emergency contact numbers.
What are the penalties for non-compliance in Queensland?
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) enforces first aid compliance through inspections, improvement notices, and prosecutions. Penalties vary by severity:
Category 3 — failure to comply with health and safety duty
Failure to provide adequate first aid officers, kits, or facilities can result in improvement notices and fines up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for businesses. This is the most common enforcement action and is typically triggered by a WHSQ audit or a workplace incident report.
Category 2 — failure to comply exposing someone to risk
If inadequate first aid provisions contribute to a person being exposed to a risk of death, serious injury, or serious illness, penalties increase significantly — up to $150,000 for individuals and $1.5 million for businesses.
Category 1 — reckless conduct causing risk
The most serious category applies when an employer recklessly exposes workers to a risk of death or serious injury. Maximum penalties are $300,000 or 5 years imprisonment for individuals and $3 million for businesses.
The most common trigger
The most common enforcement scenario is a WHSQ inspector auditing a workplace following a reported injury or incident and discovering that first aid certificates have lapsed, first aid kits are unstocked or expired, or the required number of trained first aiders was not present during working hours. IRFA’s same-day certification closes compliance gaps on the day of training.
Creating your workplace first aid plan
Every Queensland employer should have a documented first aid plan that covers:
Risk assessment
Identify the hazards in your workplace and the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur. Consider the nature of your work, the number of workers, the layout of the workplace, and proximity to emergency services. This assessment determines how many first aiders you need, what type of first aid kits to stock, and whether you need a dedicated first aid room.
First aider register
Maintain a current register of all trained first aiders, including their qualification type (HLTAID011, HLTAID009, HLTAID012), date of issue, and expiry date. Schedule renewals in advance — CPR expires annually and first aid every 3 years.
Roster and coverage
Ensure at least one trained first aider is present during all working hours, including early shifts, late shifts, and weekends. Account for leave, sick days, and part-time schedules. If your business operates across multiple locations or floors, ensure coverage at each area.
Emergency procedures
Document your emergency procedures, including how to call 000, who the designated first aiders are, where first aid kits and AEDs are located, and how to evacuate if needed. Display this information prominently and review it at least annually.
Train your team at our North Brisbane venues
IRFA delivers nationally accredited workplace first aid training at four venues across North Brisbane — ideal for businesses in the Moreton Bay region that need to get their team compliant quickly and affordably.
Redcliffe Peninsula — Redcliffe RSL
Irene Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020. Serving peninsula businesses, marine industry, healthcare, and hospitality.
North Lakes — Community Centre
10 The Corso, North Lakes QLD 4509. Serving Westfield tenants, Mango Hill business park, construction companies, and childcare centres.
Virginia / Northgate — Northgate Hall
34 Ridge Street, Virginia QLD 4014. Serving inner north Brisbane businesses, warehouses, and commercial tenants.
Caboolture — Caboolture Hub
4 Hasking Street, Caboolture QLD 4510. Serving Caboolture businesses, Morayfield, and the rural Moreton Bay corridor.
For groups of 8 or more, IRFA delivers on-site at your workplace — anywhere in Queensland. Corporate training details and group pricing →
Same-day certificates. Paramedic trainers. CPR from $45. First Aid from $95. RTO 32154.
View all North Brisbane courses and book online →
Frequently asked questions
How many first aiders are required in a Queensland workplace?
The number depends on your risk level and workforce size. Low-risk workplaces (offices, retail) need one first aider per 50 workers per shift. High-risk workplaces (construction, manufacturing, warehouses) need one per 25 workers per shift. At least one trained first aider must be present during all working hours.
What qualification do workplace first aiders need in Queensland?
The standard is HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (valid 3 years, $95 at IRFA). The CPR component (HLTAID009) must be renewed annually. Childcare workers need HLTAID012 instead. All qualifications must be issued by an ASQA-registered RTO.
Can first aid training be done entirely online?
No. The practical CPR and first aid assessment components must be completed face-to-face to meet national training standards. Some providers offer blended delivery (online theory + in-person practical), but IRFA delivers everything face-to-face in a single session with no pre-course requirements.
What happens if my workplace doesn’t have a trained first aider?
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland can issue improvement notices and fines. Penalties range from $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for businesses (Category 3) up to $1.5 million if the failure exposes someone to risk of serious injury (Category 2).
How often do first aid certificates need to be renewed?
HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid) is valid for 3 years. HLTAID009 (CPR) must be renewed every 12 months, even if your HLTAID011 is still current. Read our full guide on certificate validity →
Does IRFA offer on-site corporate training?
Yes. For groups of 8 or more, IRFA delivers training at your workplace anywhere in Queensland. This includes HLTAID011, HLTAID009, HLTAID012, UETDRMP018 (LVR), and White Card. Corporate invoicing and 14-day payment terms are available. Call 1300 766 298 for a group quote.
