AED and Defibrillator Laws Australia 2026: Workplace Requirements, State Legislation, and What You Need to Know

By SKLD Training — 2026-03-05

Do Australian workplaces need a defibrillator? This guide covers AED laws by state — including South Australia's new mandatory requirement — QLD's current position, workplace AED costs, placement guidelines, maintenance requirements, and survival statistics. Updated for 2026.

AED Laws in Australia: What Is Currently Required?

As of 2026, there is no uniform national law requiring all Australian workplaces to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). However, the legislative landscape is changing rapidly. South Australia introduced mandatory AED requirements for certain workplaces from January 2026, and other states including Queensland are under increasing pressure to follow. The current position across most of Australia is that AEDs are strongly recommended but not yet legally mandated for most workplaces — though Work Health and Safety (WHS) duties may effectively require them in high-risk settings.

The survival statistics are stark: when an AED is applied within 3–5 minutes of sudden cardiac arrest combined with CPR, survival rates can reach up to 70%. Without any intervention, survival drops to approximately 5%. This makes AEDs the single most impactful piece of emergency equipment in cardiac arrest — more important than any other first aid equipment in your workplace.

This guide covers the current AED legislation across every Australian state and territory, workplace requirements, costs, placement guidelines, and who can legally use an AED.

AED Legislation by State and Territory: 2026 Comparison

The following table summarises the current state of AED laws across Australia. This is evolving legislation — check your state regulator for the most current requirements.

State/Territory	AED Legislation Status (2026)	Key Requirements
South Australia	Mandatory (from January 2026)	Certain high-traffic and high-risk workplaces required to have accessible AEDs. Specific premises categories defined in regulations.
Queensland	Recommended, not mandated	QLD Code of Practice recommends AEDs for medium and high-risk workplaces. WHS duty of care may effectively require them where cardiac arrest risk is foreseeable.
New South Wales	Recommended, not mandated	SafeWork NSW recommends AEDs in workplaces. Some local government and sporting facility requirements apply.
Victoria	Recommended, not mandated	WorkSafe Victoria recommends AEDs. Growing adoption in schools, sports facilities, and public buildings.
Western Australia	Recommended, not mandated	WHS Code of Practice recommends consideration of AEDs based on risk assessment.
Tasmania	Recommended, not mandated	General WHS duty applies. Growing community AED programs.
Northern Territory	Recommended, not mandated	Remote area considerations make AEDs particularly important where ambulance response times are extended.
ACT	Recommended, not mandated	General WHS duty applies. Government buildings increasingly equipped.

Even where AEDs are not specifically mandated, the general WHS duty to provide a safe workplace — including adequate first aid provisions — can effectively require AEDs where the risk of cardiac arrest is foreseeable. A workplace that knows its workers or visitors are at risk and fails to provide an AED may face scrutiny if a cardiac arrest occurs.

South Australia's Mandatory AED Law: What Changed

South Australia became the first Australian state to introduce mandatory AED legislation, with requirements taking effect from January 2026. The legislation targets specific categories of premises where large numbers of people gather or where cardiac arrest risk is elevated.

Key aspects of the SA legislation include:

Targeted premises: the mandate applies to defined categories including certain workplaces, sporting facilities, community centres, and public gathering places — not every small business.
Accessibility requirements: AEDs must be clearly signed, easily accessible (not locked away), and available during operating hours.
Maintenance obligations: AEDs must be maintained in working order with current pads and battery.
Training encouraged but not mandated: while anyone can use an AED, the legislation encourages (but does not require) training for staff in AED operation.

This legislation sets a precedent that other Australian states are likely to follow. Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria have all seen community campaigns and political discussion around mandatory AED provisions.

Queensland's Position: Recommended but Not Yet Required

In Queensland, AEDs are recommended but not legally mandated for most workplaces. However, the QLD First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice recommends that workplaces consider providing an AED as part of their first aid provisions, particularly where:

Workers perform physically demanding tasks.
The workplace is remote or distant from emergency medical services.
Large numbers of people are present (retail centres, event venues, schools).
The workforce includes people at higher risk of cardiac events.
Emergency ambulance response times are expected to exceed 10 minutes.

The critical legal point is this: under Queensland's WHS Act, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others. If a cardiac arrest is foreseeable in your workplace — and an AED costing $1,500–$3,000 could save a life — it may be difficult to argue that providing one is not "reasonably practicable."

The trend is clearly toward mandatory provision, and many Gold Coast businesses are proactively installing AEDs rather than waiting for legislation to force the issue.

Cardiac Arrest Survival Statistics: Why AEDs Matter

The case for workplace AEDs is built on unambiguous survival data. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia, with approximately 25,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests per year. Without intervention, fewer than 5% of these people survive.

The survival chain works like this:

CPR started within 1–2 minutes + AED within 3–5 minutes: survival rates of up to 70%.
CPR started within 1–2 minutes, no AED available: survival rates of approximately 10–15%.
No CPR, no AED: survival rates of approximately 2–5%.
Every minute without defibrillation: survival decreases by approximately 7–10%.

Average ambulance response times in urban areas of the Gold Coast and Brisbane are 8–15 minutes. In some areas — particularly northern Gold Coast growth corridors and rural fringe areas — response times can exceed 20 minutes. An onsite AED bridges this critical gap.

Ensure your team knows how to use an AED: Book CPR and AED training with SKLD Training on the Gold Coast

Who Can Use an AED in Australia?

Anyone can use an AED in Australia — no training is legally required. This is one of the most important facts about defibrillators and is deliberately designed to remove barriers to use. AEDs are built for untrained bystanders.

Modern AEDs include:

Voice prompts: step-by-step audio instructions guide the user through pad placement, analysis, and shock delivery.
Automated analysis: the device analyses the heart rhythm and will only deliver a shock if a shockable rhythm is detected. You cannot accidentally shock someone who doesn't need it.
Visual guides: diagrams on the pads show correct placement on the chest.
Semi-automatic or fully automatic: semi-automatic AEDs require the user to press a shock button when prompted. Fully automatic AEDs deliver the shock without user intervention after warning everyone to stand clear.

However, trained users are measurably faster and more effective. Hesitation and unfamiliarity cost seconds — and in cardiac arrest, seconds determine survival. CPR courses (HLTAID009 and HLTAID011) include AED training as a core component, ensuring participants can confidently operate the device under stress.

Good Samaritan legislation in all Australian states and territories protects bystanders who use an AED in good faith during an emergency.

Workplace AED Costs: What to Budget

The cost of a workplace AED has decreased significantly over the past decade. Here is what Gold Coast businesses can expect to budget in 2026:

Item	Typical Cost Range	Notes
AED unit (semi-automatic)	$1,500–$2,500	Most common workplace choice. Requires user to press shock button.
AED unit (fully automatic)	$2,000–$3,000	Delivers shock automatically. Preferred for locations with untrained users.
Wall-mounted cabinet	$100–$300	Alarmed cabinets recommended for public access locations.
Replacement pads (adult)	$50–$100	Replace after each use or when expired (typically 2–3 year shelf life).
Replacement pads (paediatric)	$60–$120	Required for childcare, schools, and family-oriented venues.
Replacement battery	$150–$400	Battery life varies by model — typically 4–7 years standby.
Annual maintenance check	$0–$150	Most AEDs self-test daily. Manual check involves verifying pads, battery, and signage.

The total cost of ownership over 5 years is approximately $2,000–$4,000 — less than most businesses spend on office coffee. When compared to the potential cost of a life lost (or the legal liability from failing to provide reasonable first aid provisions), the investment is straightforward.

AED Placement and Maintenance Guidelines

Placing an AED in a cupboard behind a locked door defeats its purpose. Effective AED placement follows these principles:

Accessible within 2–3 minutes: the AED should be reachable from any point in the workplace within 2–3 minutes of walking. For large sites, this may require multiple units.
Clearly signed: use standard AED signage (green and white) that is visible from a distance. Include directional signs in larger buildings.
Not locked away: the AED must be accessible without keys, codes, or special permissions during operating hours. Alarmed cabinets that trigger when opened are fine — locked cabinets are not.
Central location: near reception, in main corridors, or adjacent to high-traffic areas. Consider proximity to areas where cardiac arrest risk is highest (gym floors, heavy exertion areas, stairwells).
Protected from extremes: most AEDs operate in temperatures from 0–50 degrees Celsius. Avoid direct sunlight, outdoor exposure without weatherproof housing, or freezing conditions.
Registered with ambulance services: register your AED with the local ambulance service so dispatchers can direct bystanders to your device during a triple-zero call.

Maintenance is straightforward:

Most modern AEDs perform daily self-tests and display a status indicator (green light = ready).
Check the status indicator monthly as part of your first aid equipment audit.
Replace pads before their expiry date (typically every 2–3 years).
Replace the battery before expiry (typically every 4–7 years).
After any use, replace pads and have the device serviced.

Industries That Should Have an AED Now (Even Without Legislation)

While Queensland does not yet mandate AEDs, the following workplace types should strongly consider installing one based on risk profile and duty of care:

Gyms and fitness centres: vigorous exercise is a known trigger for cardiac events. Every gym should have an AED.
Construction sites: physically demanding work, heat exposure, and delayed ambulance access to active construction zones.
Schools and childcare centres: large numbers of children, parents, and staff. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone.
Aged care facilities: elderly residents are at significantly elevated cardiac arrest risk.
Sporting clubs and facilities: sports-related sudden cardiac arrest, while rare, is well-documented. Early defibrillation is the difference between life and death.
Hotels and large hospitality venues: high visitor numbers, including guests with unknown medical histories.
Shopping centres and retail complexes: high foot traffic from diverse demographics.
Remote or isolated workplaces: anywhere ambulance response times exceed 10 minutes.
Office buildings with 50+ workers: statistical likelihood of cardiac events increases with workforce size.

Prepare your team for cardiac emergencies: SKLD Training delivers CPR and AED training across the Gold Coast — public and onsite sessions

The Trend Toward Mandatory AEDs in Australia

South Australia's 2026 legislation is widely viewed as the beginning of a national trend. The arguments for mandatory AED provision are compelling:

Survival data is unambiguous: AEDs save lives when available and used promptly.
Costs have decreased significantly: a $1,500–$2,500 AED is within reach of virtually any business.
Public awareness is growing: high-profile cardiac arrests in sport and media have increased community demand for accessible defibrillators.
International precedent: many European countries, parts of the United States, and Japan have mandatory AED requirements in public places and workplaces.
Community AED registries: ambulance services across Australia are building registries that direct callers to the nearest AED, increasing their effectiveness.

Businesses that install AEDs proactively — before legislation forces them — demonstrate genuine commitment to worker and visitor safety, and avoid the rush and potential supply constraints that accompany mandatory rollouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do workplaces need a defibrillator in Australia?

As of 2026, South Australia mandates AEDs in certain workplace categories. Other states including Queensland recommend but do not yet mandate them. However, the general WHS duty to provide a safe workplace may effectively require an AED where cardiac arrest risk is foreseeable — particularly in high-risk, remote, or high-traffic workplaces.

Can anyone use an AED in Australia?

Yes — anyone can use an AED. No training is legally required. AEDs are designed for untrained bystanders with voice prompts and automated rhythm analysis. Good Samaritan legislation protects people who use an AED in good faith. However, trained users are faster and more confident under pressure.

How much does a workplace AED cost?

A workplace AED costs approximately $1,500–$3,000 for the unit, plus $100–$300 for a wall-mounted cabinet. Ongoing costs include replacement pads ($50–$120 every 2–3 years) and battery replacement ($150–$400 every 4–7 years). Total 5-year cost of ownership is approximately $2,000–$4,000.

Does Queensland require AEDs in workplaces?

Queensland does not currently mandate AEDs in workplaces. However, the QLD Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace recommends AEDs for medium and high-risk workplaces. The general duty under the WHS Act to provide a safe workplace may require AEDs where cardiac arrest risk is foreseeable.

What is the survival rate with an AED?

When CPR is started immediately and an AED is applied within 3–5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates can reach up to 70%. Without any intervention, survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is approximately 5%. Each minute without defibrillation reduces survival by 7–10%.

Do you need training to use an AED?

No — AEDs are designed for use without training. However, training (included in HLTAID009 and HLTAID011 courses) builds confidence and speed. Trained users typically apply the AED faster and with less hesitation, which can be the difference between survival and death.

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