2026 Workplace First Aid Compliance Checklist for Queensland Employers (WHS Act)

By SKLD Training - 2026-04-02

A practical, printable WHS first aid compliance checklist for Queensland employers. Audit your risk assessment, first aider ratios, certificate currency, kit contents, and documentation against the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 - section by section, item by item.

Under Queensland's Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021, every employer (PCBU) must maintain documented, verifiable first aid provisions at all times. This page is a practical audit checklist - not an overview of the legislation. Work through each section in order, mark each item, and you will have a defensible compliance record ready for a WorkSafe QLD inspection or internal WHS review.

How to Use This Checklist

Each section maps to a specific compliance obligation under the WHS Regulation 2011 and the Code of Practice. For every item, your status should be one of three outcomes:

Complete: the item is in place, documented, and current.
Action required: a gap exists - record what needs to be done and by whom.
Not applicable: the item does not apply to your workplace - document the reason.

Keep a dated, signed copy of this completed checklist in your WHS management system. If WorkSafe QLD conducts an inspection, this record demonstrates that your business has proactively assessed and managed first aid obligations.

Book Now: SKLD Training - arrange first aid training for your team

Checklist Item 1 - Risk Assessment Completed and Documented

The WHS Regulation 2011 requires a documented risk assessment before a PCBU can determine adequate first aid provisions. This is the foundation of all other checklist items.

A written first aid risk assessment exists for the workplace.
The assessment identifies all workplace hazards and the plausible injuries or illnesses that could result.
The assessment considers workplace size, layout, number of workers per shift, and distance from emergency services.
The assessment has been reviewed in the past 12 months (or after any significant workplace change).
The assessment is signed and dated by a responsible person (e.g., health and safety manager, PCBU).
A review date is recorded and calendared.

Document to keep: completed risk assessment form, signed and dated, stored in your WHS register.

Checklist Item 2 - Correct Number of First Aiders for Your Risk Level

Use the table below to determine the minimum number of trained first aiders required, then verify your current headcount against the requirement for each shift.

Workplace Risk Level	Example Workplaces	Minimum First Aider Ratio
Low risk	Offices, retail, professional services	1 per 50 workers
High risk	Construction, warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality	1 per 25 workers
Remote or isolated	Rural sites, field operations, isolated worksites	1 per 10 workers

The workplace risk level has been determined and documented (low / high / remote).
The total number of workers per shift is recorded.
The minimum required number of first aiders per shift has been calculated against the ratio above.
The current number of trained, certificate-current first aiders meets or exceeds that minimum on every shift.
Arrangements are in place for cover when a designated first aider is absent (leave, illness, offsite work).
If the workplace has multiple floors or buildings, at least one first aider is accessible within 5 minutes on each level or building.

Audit note: these are minimum ratios. If your risk assessment identifies specific aggravating factors - frequent emergency service delays, shift overlap gaps, high contractor turnover - your required number must be adjusted upward.

Checklist Item 3 - First Aider Certificates Are Current

A certificate that has lapsed provides no compliance protection. HLTAID011 and HLTAID009 have different renewal schedules - both must be tracked separately.

Each designated first aider holds a current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Statement of Attainment (renewed within the last 3 years).
Each designated first aider has a current HLTAID009 Provide CPR Statement of Attainment (renewed within the last 12 months).
Certificates have been sighted and verified against the training provider's Statement of Attainment (not just verbal confirmation).
Renewal dates have been recorded in the training register with calendar alerts set at least 60 days prior to expiry.
If any certificates are expired, a booking has been made with an RTO to rectify the gap before the next inspection or audit.

Key rule: HLTAID009 CPR must be renewed every 12 months regardless of when HLTAID011 was last renewed. These are two separate renewal obligations running concurrently.

Book Now: SKLD Training - check upcoming HLTAID011 and HLTAID009 dates

Checklist Item 4 - Training Register Maintained and Up to Date

The WHS Regulation requires evidence that training obligations are being actively managed. A training register is the primary compliance document for first aid personnel.

A training register exists listing every designated first aider in the workplace.
For each person, the register records: full name, unit code, qualification title, issue date, renewal due date, and training provider.
The register is updated within 30 days of any new or renewed qualification being issued.
The register is accessible to the PCBU, health and safety officer, and WorkSafe QLD inspectors on request.
Superseded (expired) certificate records are retained for at least 5 years for audit trail purposes.
A designated person is responsible for maintaining the register - and that responsibility is documented.

Checklist Item 5 - First Aid Kits Stocked and Inspected Quarterly

First aid kits must be adequately stocked, clearly signposted, and regularly inspected. An unstocked or expired kit is a compliance failure even if first aiders are trained.

The number and location of first aid kits has been determined by the risk assessment.
Each kit is clearly identified with a first aid sign visible from the work area.
Kits are accessible at all times - not locked, not stored in rooms that require a key to access.
Each kit has been inspected within the last 3 months (quarterly inspection cycle).
A dated inspection record is attached to each kit or stored in the WHS register.
Expired or depleted items have been replaced promptly after each inspection or after use.
A designated person is responsible for quarterly kit inspections - this is documented.

Checklist Item 6 - Kit Contents Match Code of Practice Requirements

The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 specifies minimum kit contents for workplaces. Use this table to verify your kits against the standard.

Item	Minimum Quantity (Low Risk Kit)	Notes
Resuscitation face mask or shield	1	For safe CPR delivery
Disposable gloves (non-latex)	4 pairs minimum	Single-use; replenish after each use
Wound closure strips / adhesive dressings	Assorted pack	Various sizes
Sterile gauze swabs	10 minimum	For wound cleaning
Non-adherent wound dressings	3 assorted	Burns and abrasions
Conforming bandage (various sizes)	4 minimum	5 cm and 10 cm widths
Triangular bandage	2	Slings, immobilisation
Sterile eye wash (saline)	1 x 500 mL or single-use vials	Check expiry date quarterly
Thermal (emergency) blanket	1	Shock management
First aid manual or quick reference guide	1	Current Australian edition
Notebook and pen / incident form	1	For incident documentation

Audit note: high-risk or remote workplaces require expanded kit contents. The Code of Practice provides separate guidance for high-risk environments. Review the First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 for the full high-risk kit specification.

Checklist Item 7 - First Aider Accessible Within 5 Minutes at All Times

The Code of Practice sets a practical accessibility standard: a trained first aider must be able to reach any worker within approximately 5 minutes whenever work is being carried out. This is a logistical requirement, not just a numbers requirement.

The 5-minute accessibility standard has been verified for every area of the workplace (including basement levels, roof access, remote stockrooms, and outdoor areas).
A first aider is available on every shift - including early morning, late evening, overnight, and weekend shifts if work is performed during those times.
Workers who regularly work alone or in isolation have a specific first aid response plan documented for their situation.
If the workplace has areas where a first aider cannot reach within 5 minutes, additional first aiders have been trained or the layout reviewed.
Contractors and labour-hire workers present on site are covered by the same 5-minute standard - this is documented in contractor management procedures.

Checklist Item 8 - Emergency Response Plan Documented

A written emergency response plan is required under the WHS Regulation. The first aid component of that plan must be current and accessible.

A written emergency response plan exists and addresses first aid response procedures.
The plan identifies the location of first aid kits, AEDs (if applicable), and first aid rooms.
The plan lists the names and contact details of designated first aiders for each shift.
The procedure for calling emergency services (Triple Zero - 000) is clearly documented and posted in the workplace.
The plan includes procedures for common workplace incidents relevant to the risk assessment (e.g., burns, falls, chemical exposure for high-risk sites).
All workers have been made aware of the emergency response plan - and this has been documented (e.g., induction records, toolbox talk sign-offs).
The plan is reviewed at least annually and after any significant incident.

Book Now: SKLD Training - book onsite training for Gold Coast teams

Checklist Item 9 - Incident Reporting System in Place

Every first aid event - including near-misses - must be recorded. The incident reporting system closes the loop between the first aid response and continuous improvement of your WHS management system.

A formal incident reporting system exists (paper or digital) and all workers know how to use it.
All first aid treatments are recorded, including: date and time, worker name, nature of injury or illness, treatment provided, and the name of the first aider who responded.
Near-miss incidents are reported and investigated - not only incidents that resulted in injury.
Incident reports are reviewed by the health and safety manager or PCBU within 48 hours of the event.
Recurring incident types are used to inform the annual review of the first aid risk assessment.
Serious incidents are notified to WorkSafe QLD as required under the WHS Act 2011 - this obligation is documented in the emergency response plan.

Checklist Item 10 - Annual Review Scheduled

First aid compliance is not a set-and-forget activity. The WHS Regulation requires ongoing management, and the Code of Practice recommends at least annual review of all first aid provisions.

A date for the next annual first aid compliance review is recorded in the WHS calendar.
The review agenda covers: risk assessment currency, first aider ratios, certificate renewal schedule, kit inspection records, and incident report trends.
A responsible person is named for driving the annual review.
Any actions arising from the review are recorded with owners and due dates.
The completed review is signed, dated, and filed in the WHS register.

Gold Coast Employers: Onsite and Public Session Options

SKLD Training delivers first aid and CPR training across the Gold Coast, servicing employers in every industry from Coolangatta to Coomera. Common booking areas include:

Southport and Labrador: professional services and health sector offices - low-risk ratios, standard HLTAID011 compliance.
Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach: hospitality, tourism, and event venues - often require 24-hour first aid coverage and tighter ratios.
Robina and Varsity Lakes: corporate campuses and retail centres - annual CPR renewal programs for large teams.
Burleigh Heads and Miami: fitness, wellness, and allied health businesses - first aid requirements tied to industry registration.
Helensvale and Coomera: manufacturing, logistics, and construction on the northern growth corridor - high-risk ratios require more trained staff.
Nerang and Mudgeeraba: trade businesses and light industrial - onsite training eliminates the need to pull workers off-site.

For teams of 5 or more, onsite training delivered at your Gold Coast premises is the most efficient way to close compliance gaps without disrupting operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must be in a workplace first aid kit in QLD?

The First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 specifies minimum contents for workplace first aid kits. A compliant low-risk kit must include: a resuscitation face mask or shield, disposable non-latex gloves, wound closure strips and adhesive dressings, sterile gauze swabs, non-adherent wound dressings, conforming bandages in multiple sizes, triangular bandages, sterile eye wash (saline), a thermal blanket, and a current first aid reference guide. High-risk and remote workplaces require additional items including burn dressings, additional bandages, and in some cases an AED. All items must be within their expiry date - check quarterly and replace promptly after use or expiry. The full specification is available in the Code of Practice (PDF) at WorkSafe QLD.

How many first aiders do I need per 50 employees?

For a low-risk workplace (offices, retail, professional services), the minimum is 1 trained first aider per 50 workers. For a high-risk workplace (construction, manufacturing, warehousing, hospitality), the minimum is 1 per 25 workers. These are minimum ratios - your documented risk assessment may require more. Importantly, the ratio applies per shift, not to total headcount across the day. If you run two shifts of 50 workers, each shift needs at least one first aider. Coverage gaps during shift changes must also be addressed.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with WHS first aid in QLD?

Failing to maintain compliant first aid provisions breaches the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD). Penalties for a body corporate (PCBU) range from up to $500,000 for a Category 3 failure to comply, up to $1,500,000 for a Category 2 failure to discharge a health and safety duty, and up to $3,000,000 for Category 1 reckless conduct that exposes workers to risk of death or serious injury. Individual officers face fines up to $300,000 (Category 2) or $600,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment (Category 1). WorkSafe QLD inspectors can also issue improvement notices and prohibition notices stopping work activities entirely. See WorkSafe QLD for current penalty unit information.

How often do workplace first aid kits need to be checked?

The Code of Practice recommends first aid kits are inspected at least quarterly - every three months. Each inspection should check expiry dates on all consumables, replenish any items used since the last inspection, and confirm all items are present and in usable condition. A dated inspection record should be attached to each kit. In high-use workplaces, more frequent checks (monthly) are advisable. After any first aid event, the kit used should be restocked before being returned to service.

Can one first aider cover multiple locations?

Only if the first aider can physically reach any worker within approximately 5 minutes across all locations simultaneously - which is generally not possible across separate buildings or sites. Where your PCBU operates multiple sites, each site must have its own compliant first aid provision unless you can demonstrate a single first aider can meet the 5-minute accessibility standard for all workers. For multi-site businesses on the Gold Coast, the most common compliant approach is to designate and train a first aider at each location separately.

Do casual staff count when calculating first aider ratios?

Yes. Under the WHS Act 2011 (QLD), the duty of care extends to all workers - a definition that includes employees, contractors, labour-hire workers, apprentices, trainees, and volunteers. Casual staff present at the workplace at any given time are counted when calculating the total worker headcount per shift. This means businesses that use casual or labour-hire workers for peak periods may need additional trained first aiders on those days to maintain the correct ratio. First aider ratios must reflect your actual peak shift headcount, not your minimum or average staffing level. Contact SKLD Training to discuss flexible booking options for variable staffing environments.

Training and assessment delivered on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909.