First Aid Signs in Australia: Requirements, Types and Workplace Placement Guide

When Someone Is Hurt, Signs Point the Way

Picture this: a colleague collapses in the lunchroom. Someone shouts for the first aid kit — but nobody is sure where it is kept. Seconds tick by. In moments like these, clear and visible first aid signage is not a bureaucratic box to tick; it is a genuine lifesaver. First aid signs direct people to critical equipment and treatment locations when stress and urgency make clear thinking difficult.

This guide covers the types of first aid signs required in Australian workplaces, the standards that govern them, and practical advice on getting placement right.

How AS1319 Defines First Aid Signage

Under Australian Standard AS1319, first aid and safety information signs use a green background with white pictograms and text. This green-and-white colour scheme is consistent across all safety information signage in Australia, including exit signs, emergency equipment signs, and first aid location signs. The green colour communicates a positive safety message — "safe condition" or "safety equipment here" — in contrast to the red of fire signs or the yellow of warning signs.

AS1319 specifies the minimum size of signs based on viewing distance. Most indoor first aid signs are sized between 300mm x 225mm and 600mm x 450mm, though larger signs may be needed in warehouses or open-plan environments with long sightlines.

State and territory WHS regulations build on AS1319 by requiring that first aid facilities be clearly signed. The Code of Practice for First Aid in the Workplace (published by Safe Work Australia) provides detailed guidance on signage requirements for different workplace types.

Types of First Aid Signs Every Workplace Should Consider

First Aid Kit Location Signs: Every workplace must have at least one first aid kit, and many require multiple kits depending on the size of the premises and the nature of hazards present. Each kit location should be marked with a green-and-white first aid cross sign, visible from the surrounding work area. Wall-mounted signs positioned above or beside the kit are the standard approach.

First Aid Station or Room Signs: Larger workplaces — particularly in manufacturing, construction, and mining — may have a dedicated first aid room. These rooms should be signed externally, and directional signs should guide people from key areas of the workplace to the room.

AED/Defibrillator Location Signs: Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are increasingly common in Australian workplaces, sports facilities, and public buildings. When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest, an AED can dramatically improve their chances of survival — but only if it can be found quickly. AED location signs use the standard green background with a white heart and lightning bolt pictogram, and should be supplemented with directional signs in high-traffic areas.

Emergency Shower and Eyewash Station Signs: Workplaces that handle chemicals or substances that can cause eye or skin injury must provide emergency showers and eyewash stations. These must be clearly signed with green-and-white pictogram signs. Critically, the path to the nearest station must be unobstructed — a worker with a chemical splash in their eyes cannot navigate around obstacles.

First Aid Personnel Signs: Some workplaces display signs identifying trained first aiders — either by name or by a general notice such as "Trained First Aiders Available — Contact Reception." While not strictly required under AS1319, these signs support a well-organised first aid response.

First Aid Sign Requirements by Workplace Type

Offices and Commercial Premises: Standard office environments typically require first aid kit location signs, a sign for the first aid room (if one exists), and AED signage if a defibrillator is installed. Given the relatively low-hazard nature of office work, a single well-positioned first aid sign per floor or open-plan area is usually sufficient, though larger offices may need directional signage to guide people from remote areas.

Retail and Hospitality: Retail shops, restaurants, and hotels must sign first aid kit locations for both staff and public access. Kitchens and food preparation areas should have mandatory signs for hand washing and hygiene, along with a nearby first aid kit sign for burn and cut treatment. Venues that host large numbers of people — such as shopping centres and entertainment precincts — should have prominently signed first aid stations and AED locations.

Manufacturing and Warehouses: Industrial settings present a wider range of injury risks, including cuts, burns, crush injuries, and chemical exposure. These workplaces typically need more first aid kits distributed across the facility, each with corresponding signage. Emergency shower and eyewash signs are essential wherever chemicals are used, stored, or transported. Signs should be large enough to be visible from a distance across open workshop or warehouse floors.

Construction Sites: The transient nature of construction work means first aid signage must be flexible and regularly repositioned. The site first aid kit should be signed from key access points, and as work areas shift, directional signage must move with them. Construction site signage must withstand outdoor conditions and remain visible among the visual noise of a busy site.

Schools and Childcare Centres: Educational settings require clearly signed first aid stations, typically at the administration office and in sports or play areas.

Placement Tips for Maximum Effectiveness

Visibility from all directions: A first aid sign facing a wall is as useful as no sign at all. Consider perpendicular-mounted (flag-style) signs for corridor-mounted first aid kits, so the sign is visible when approaching from either direction along the corridor.

Consistent height: Mount first aid signs at a consistent height throughout the workplace — typically between 2.0 and 2.4 metres from the floor. This places the sign above the line of furniture, equipment, and people, improving visibility in crowded or cluttered environments.

Complementary directional signage: In larger workplaces, a single location sign at the first aid kit is not enough. Install directional first aid signs with arrows at decision points — corridor intersections, stairwell entrances, and doorways — so people can follow a clear path from anywhere in the building.

Pair with emergency signs: First aid equipment is often co-located with other emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and emergency exits. Grouping these signs in a logical "emergency information zone" helps people find everything they need in one glance during a crisis.

Regular audits: Include first aid signage in your routine workplace safety inspections. Check that signs are clean, undamaged, correctly positioned, and that the equipment they identify is actually present and in serviceable condition. A sign pointing to an empty bracket where a first aid kit used to be is worse than no sign — it wastes critical time.

Key Takeaways

• First aid signs in Australia use a green background with white pictograms and text, as specified under AS1319.
• Every first aid kit, AED, emergency shower, and eyewash station must be clearly signed and the signs must be visible from the surrounding work area.
• Directional signage is essential in larger workplaces to guide people to first aid facilities from any location.
• Sign size should be proportional to viewing distance — larger signs for open warehouses and workshops, standard sizes for offices and corridors.
• Include first aid signage checks in regular workplace safety inspections to catch missing, damaged, or obstructed signs.
• AED location signage is increasingly important as more workplaces install defibrillators — make sure people can find them in seconds, not minutes.