Are Australians prepared for workplace First Aid emergencies?
Are Australians prepared for Workplace First Aid emergencies?
New research from St John has revealed widespread gaps in first aid preparedness across the country.
Picture this: you're in the office when a colleague slips on spilled coffee and hits their head hard on the corner of a desk. Blood everywhere, they're dazed, and everyone's looking to you for help. Your first instinct is to find the first aid kit, but as you search through supply cupboards, a sobering question emerges: do you actually know where it is, and will it have what you need?
If this scenario feels uncomfortably familiar, you're not alone. New research from St John Ambulance has released some pretty uncomfortable truths about how prepared we really are for emergencies.
The numbers don't lie (unfortunately)
St John Ambulance surveyed Australians about their first aid preparedness:
The numbers dont lie
St John Ambulance surveyed Australians about their first aid preparedness:
- 17% of Australians don't have access to a first aid kit anywhere – not at home, work, or in their vehicle. This means approximately one in six people are completely unprepared for any emergency.
- 34% don't have a kit at home, despite homes being where most accidents occur – from children's playground injuries to workplace accidents and DIY mishaps.
- Only 28% of working Australians have access to a first aid kit at work, despite spending the majority of their waking hours in the workplace.
- 46% of car first aid kits haven't been checked in over a year, rendering them potentially useless when needed most.
Having a properly stocked first aid kit isn't just smart, it's essential. Every home, workplace, and vehicle should be equipped so you can respond confidently when the unexpected happens.,
Why should you care?
Why should you care?
These statistics represent more than just numbers – they reflect a genuine risk to workplace safety and community wellbeing.
When something does happen – and statistically, it will – those first few minutes matter. Every year, thousands of Australians are hospitalised due to injuries that could have been better managed with immediate, appropriate first aid care. This includes preventing complications, reducing infection risk, and minimising pain – all achievable with proper supplies and basic knowledge.
All it takes is 5 minutes
This World First Aid Day, St John Ambulance is encouraging all Australians to do a simple 5-minute assessment, this is what you need to do:
First Aid Tip
First Aid Tip
Remember to check expiry daes on all items and replace anything that is oudated, open or damaged.
While having the right equipment is essential, knowing how to use it effectively is equally important. Consider doing a first aid course to build your confidence and learn the basic first aid. This World First Aid Day, take the time to ensure you're prepared when it matters most.
Making preparedness a priority
Making preparedness a priority
Effective first aid preparedness shouldn't be a one-time activity. St John Ambulance recommends making first aid kit maintenance an annual priority. Set a calendar reminder every World First Aid Day each September or incorporating the check into your regular safety routines, whether at home or in the workplace.
¹ St John Ambulance Australia Commissioned Survey with YouGov, September 2025 (n=1009)