South Australia has introduced groundbreaking legislation under the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 and its 2024 Regulations, making it one of the first states in Australia to mandate the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across a wide range of public and commercial settings.
Key Dates and Compliance Deadlines
From 1 January 2025
- Crown-owned buildings, facilities, and emergency‑service vehicles must have had an AED installed.
From 1 January 2026
- The requirement extends to all non‑Crown buildings and publicly accessible vehicles, including trains, trams, and buses.
What Premises Are Covered?
The legislation outlines specific categories of buildings and facilities where AEDs are mandatory:
- Public buildings: libraries, swimming pools, council offices, places of worship
- Educational facilities: schools, universities, TAFEs, and childcare centres
- Sport and recreation facilities: gyms, yoga studios, clubhouses
- Aged care and retirement villages
- Entertainment venues: theatres, cinemas, casinos
- Correctional and custodial police facilities
- Caravan parks and residential parks
- Commercial buildings: those used for business with publicly accessible floor space of 600 m² or more
- New or extensively renovated commercial buildings expected to exceed 600 m² post‑2025
- Emergency service vehicles and public transport vehicles (trains, trams, buses)
Hospitals with on-site medical staff and existing defibrillators are exempt, as are car parks and temporary structures like festival tents.
How Many AEDs Are Required?
- At least one AED per designated building or facility.
- For larger commercial premises: one AED per 1,200 m² of publicly accessible space, up to regulatory maximums (e.g., 10 AEDs for facilities between 12,000 m² and 37,000 m², capped at 30 AEDs for even larger spaces).
Maintenance, Access & Registration
- Maintenance: Minimum annual checks are required, with monthly self-checks recommended as best practice.
- Accessibility: AEDs must be immediately available to the public—no locked cabinets or restricted access.
- Signage: Clear signage must be displayed externally and at key entry points.
- Registration: Devices must be logged with the SA Ambulance Service AED Register within two weeks of installation or relocation.
Penalties and Support
- Fines: Non‑compliance can result in penalties up to $20,000 for failing to install, maintain, or register AEDs.
- Criminal offences: Interfering with AEDs can result in fines up to $10,000 or one year imprisonment.
- Grants: $1,000 grants are available to eligible not‑for‑profit organisations and sporting clubs via Preventive Health SA.
Why It Matters
Sudden cardiac arrest claims more than 33,000 Australian lives annually. The survival rate can increase from ~5% to ~74% when an AED is used within 3–5 minutes. This legislation aims to dramatically improve survival outcomes by making AEDs readily accessible in everyday locations.
What You Should Do Next
- Identify if your premises fall under the categories listed.
- Calculate the number of AEDs required based on your floor area.
- Purchase TGA-approved, ANZCOR-compliant AEDs with clear voice prompts and adult/child capability.
- Install AEDs with proper signage and ensure they are accessible.
- Register each AED within two weeks of installation.
- Establish a maintenance and testing schedule (monthly checks recommended).
- Apply for grants if eligible, especially not-for-profits and community groups.
South Australia is setting a national benchmark with these AED laws. By preparing now, your organisation not only ensures compliance but also contributes to saving lives.
