Certified first aid training in the workplace can save lives during a workplace or medical emergency.
Across Australia and in New South Wales, employers are expected to meet a duty of care under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. This includes ensuring employees receive first aid training tailored to the specific work environment and associated risks.
Understanding and complying with first aid training requirements in the workplace is essential for ensuring safety and meeting legal standards.
What are the First Aid Training Requirements for Workplaces in NSW?
SafeWork NSW uses the Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace to set the requirements for businesses and workplaces. Each workplace is required to have an appropriate number of employees with certified first aid training, depending on the type of workplace.
The general guide laid out by SafeWork for the required number of first aid trained staff in the workplace includes:
- Workplaces such as offices, retail shops, or libraries are considered low-risk. Low-risk workplaces should have at least one first aider for every 50 workers.
- Workplaces such as construction sites and factories are considered high-risk – there must be at least one first aider for every 25 workers.
- Remote workplaces such as service stations or convenience stores must have at least one first aider for every 10 workers, especially if emergency services would take considerable time to arrive.
First aid trained personnel must hold a nationally recognised statement of attainment issued by a registered training organisation (RTO). The Provide First Aid course (HLTAID011) is the standard certification for applying CPR, managing injuries, and responding in an emergency. Certification for the Provide First Aid course is valid for three years, after which employees must complete a refresher course to keep their certification current.
Workplace and Industries That Require First Aid Training
First aid training is required for all workplaces, especially for high-risk industries where employees face specific hazards.
Sports
Sports and team activities can result in sprains, fractures, concussions, and cardiac incidents. Coaches, trainers and support staff are expected to complete first aid for managing soft tissue injuries, dehydration, and applying CPR.
Early Learning Centres and Schools
Teachers, early learning educators, and school staff are required to undergo the HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting course. This course covers first aid strategies for managing asthma, anaphylaxis, and child-specific emergencies. These standards are set under the National Quality Framework and monitored by the NSW Department of Education.
Medical and Allied Health Clinics
Allied health practitioners such as physiotherapists and chiropractors undergo continual training in first aid to handle medical emergencies that are not within their area of expertise. Support staff in clinics may also be required to complete first aid training to provide continuity of care if medical staff are not immediately available.
Aged Care
Falls and medical incidents are common in aged care. According to the Aged Care Quality Standards, aged care staff are required to have up-to-date training in first aid and CPR to manage emergencies such as fractures and head trauma from falls, strokes, diabetic episodes, and blocked airways.
Construction
Construction sites are high-risk environments – tools, machinery, heights, and electrical hazards can cause life-threatening injuries. SafeWork NSW requires workplaces to have at least one trained first aider for every 25 workers on site, and easily accessible first aid kits.
Manufacturing and Industrial
Workplace injuries caused by manual handling and exposure to chemicals are common at manufacturing and industrial sites. These workplaces must have sufficient staff trained in first aid to ensure the safety of workers.
How First Aid Training for Workplaces Works
First aid training must be delivered by a registered training organisation, such as The First Aid School. Businesses can arrange for onsite group first aid training for employees – the Provide First Aid course (HLTAID011) will require one full working day of learning and hands-on practices under the guidance of a trainer. At the end of the course, each participant will receive a statement of attainment indicating first aid certification.
The First Aid School provides onsite first aid training in Sydney for businesses, schools, and community groups. Our team of first aid trainers are also NSW operational paramedics who bring real-world experience and realistic simulation-based practices into each session. Book a training session with The First Aid School and equip your team life saving skills.
