South Australia AED Compliance
SA Defibrillator Laws
Explained by Paramedics
South Australia's Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 is now in force. At the Defibshop, we don't just help you buy a defibrillator — we've used them to save lives.
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South Australia's AED Laws:
What Your Business Must Know
The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 and Regulations 2024 create mandatory obligations for many SA buildings. Here's exactly what's required — explained by people who understand what happens when an AED isn't available.
SA legislation imposes significant financial penalties on building owners who fail to meet AED requirements. Non-compliance is not just a legal risk — it's a life-threatening risk your staff and visitors face every day.
Does the Law Apply to My Building?
The Act applies to "relevant buildings" — defined as publicly accessible buildings with a floor area of 600m² or more. The following 14 building categories are specified in the legislation:
Excluded from the legislation: Hospitals, carparks, and correctional facilities — these have separate regulatory frameworks covering defibrillation.
How Many AEDs Do I Need?
| Building Type | AED Requirement | Calculation Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial / public access buildings | REQUIRED | 1 AED per 1,200m² of publicly accessible floor area |
| Buildings under 600m² | EXEMPT | Below threshold — compliance not mandatory but strongly recommended |
| Crown buildings (Govt owned) | ALREADY REQUIRED | Complied from 1 January 2025 |
Other Requirements Under the Act
Beyond purchasing an AED, the legislation requires building owners to:
- Register the AED on the SA Ambulance Service AED Register within 14 days of installation
- Maintain compliant signage — both inside the building and at the entrance
- Ensure the AED is readily accessible to members of the public during opening hours
- Keep pads and batteries current and serviceable at all times
- Ensure the device is maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications
Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for a $1,000 grant toward AED purchase costs. Contact SA Health for eligibility — Defibshop can assist with the application process.
SA AED Compliance Checklist:
Step-by-Step
Work through these seven steps to achieve full compliance — the 1 January 2026 deadline has passed. Defibshop can handle every step for you.
Step 1: Confirm your building triggers the ActCheck your building is a "relevant building" — publicly accessible, 600m² or more, and in one of the 14 specified categories. If unsure, Defibshop offers free compliance assessments.
Step 2: Calculate how many AEDs you needDivide your total publicly accessible floor area by 1,200. Round up. A 3,000m² building requires a minimum of 3 AEDs. Our paramedic-trained team can advise on optimal placement for maximum response effectiveness — not just minimum compliance.
Step 3: Select a TGA-approved AEDOnly AEDs approved for use in Australia satisfy the legislation. All AEDs sold by Defibshop carry full TGA approval. We recommend devices appropriate for your building type, staff training level, residents or tenants and likelihood of use.
Step 4: Install AED in an accessible locationThe AED must be accessible to the public during operating hours. Defibshop provides professional wall cabinet installation and bracket fitting across SA, ensuring correct height, visibility, and environmental protection.
Step 5: Register on the SA Ambulance AED RegisterYou must notify SA Ambulance of your AED location within 14 days of installation. This is critical — it enables ambulance crews to direct bystanders to your device in a cardiac emergency. Defibshop will walk you through this process.
Step 6: Install required signageThe Act requires compliant AED signage both inside the building and at the entrance. Defibshop stocks AED signage and can supply whole packages complete with all components needed in the one purchase!
Step 7: Set up an ongoing maintenance scheduleAEDs require regular professional inspection — not just a "check the green indicator" self-test. The SA Act requires maintenance in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Defibshop's Defib HealthCheck™ programme provides professional assistance by practising paramedics. We'll assist with reminders of when consumable replacements are due so your AED is always in a state ready to respond to a Sudden Cardiac Arrest should it occur.
Not sure where to start?
Call us for assistance:
Or email us at: info@defibshop.com.au
Everything You Need for SA Compliance. Delivered and Installed
From selecting the right AED to ongoing maintenance and compliance audits — Defibshop can assist with your entire SA defibrillator programme.
AED Supply
All major TGA-approved brands shipped directly to your SA location. Same-day dispatch available on stocked models.
Professional Installation
Expert wall cabinet installation and AED placement. We identify the optimal location — not just the legally minimum position. Check with us to see if we can install at your location.
Defib HealthCheck™ Maintenance
Ongoing professional maintenance by practising paramedics. We track consumable expiry dates and ensure your AED is always rescue-ready.
Compliance Audits
Full site audit against SA legislation requirements. We document your compliance status and provide a written report — useful for WH&S audits, insurer requirements, council inspections & internal audits and checks.
Recommended AEDs for SA Compliance
All devices below are TGA-approved, SA-compliant, and stocked for immediate dispatch to any South Australian address.
ZOLL AED 3 / AED Plus
Real CPR Help® feedback guides bystanders through each compression. Ideal for workplaces, schools, and public buildings.
Philips HeartStart HS1 / FRx
Trusted by first responders worldwide. Proven reliability makes it the choice for high-traffic SA public buildings.
The Only Supplier Whose Founders
Have Actually Used These Devices
Carpet Hughes
Co-Founder | Paramedic & Educator
Carpet spent decades working as a paramedic before founding Defibshop. Every AED recommendation he makes is informed by real cardiac arrest experience — not a sales catalogue. When he tells you which device will perform under pressure, he knows from the scene.
Our competitors can source and sell you an AED. What they can't offer is the judgment that comes from responding to hundreds of cardiac arrests. When Defibshop advises you on SA compliance, we're not reading a checklist — we're thinking about what gives a victim the best chance of survival in your specific building, with your specific staff, on an ordinary Tuesday.
That's the Defibshop difference. We don't just sell defibrillators — we've used them to save lives. That experience lives in everything we do.
SA Organisations Already Compliant
with Defibshop
We've helped SA organisations across every sector achieve compliance — from aged care facilities and council halls to surf clubs, golf clubs, and industrial workplaces.
SA Aged Care Facility
Multi-unit installation across a large SA aged care campus. Our paramedic team advised on optimal AED placement based on resident movement patterns — ensuring devices are within reach in the highest-risk locations, not just at the front desk. Annual Defib HealthCheck™ contracts in place across all units.
SA Regional Council
Full compliance audit and supply programme for a regional SA council covering multiple buildings including town halls, libraries, community centres, and recreational facilities. Single contract covering AED supply, installation, signage, registration, and ongoing maintenance across all sites.
SA School Network
Working with SA schools on the 2026 compliance deadline, we've established a programme covering AED supply, staff awareness, and Defib HealthCheck™ maintenance. Schools with sports facilities, gyms, and assembly halls — the highest-risk locations — are prioritised for compliance.
SA Golf Club & RSL
Golf clubs, surf clubs, and RSLs across SA face specific risks from older members. We've supplied and installed AEDs across multiple SA sporting clubs, with compliant outdoor cabinet solutions for courses and facilities where weather exposure is a factor.
SA Corporate & Industrial Sites
For SA corporate offices and industrial workplaces, AED compliance often intersects directly with WH&S obligations. We provide compliance documentation that satisfies both the SA Act requirements and internal WH&S audit standards in a single service engagement.
SA Churches & Community Centres
Places of worship and community halls are specifically named in the SA legislation. Many smaller organisations have accessed the $1,000 not-for-profit grant through the SA Health programme — Defibshop has assisted multiple SA organisations through the application process.
Common SA AED Compliance
Questions Answered
Still have questions?
Our paramedic team has answered thousands of SA compliance questions. Call us or request a callback.
info@defibshop.com.au
Is Your Building Compliant?
1 January 2026 Is Here.
Get your SA compliance sorted today — our paramedic team makes it simple, fast, and stress-free.
📞 Call our SA compliance team: 1300 729 575