Is there a First Aid Ombudsman in Australia?
Searching for a “first aid ombudsman”? Plenty of aussies have because of issues such as insufficient first aid kits, lack of trained first aiders, or inadequate emergency response plans.
What should you do? Put simply: There is no designated first aid ombudsman role in existence. But there is plenty of places to go to sort the matter out. In this post we’ll examine a few options.
No First Aid Ombudsman? Choose the Fair Work Ombudsman
While primarily focused on workplace rights and obligations, the Fair Work Ombudsman also offers services related to health and safety disputes. This includes the vital area of first aid provisions and compliance.
So whether you’re facing issues as an employee around inadequate first aid at your job, or need advice as an employer on aligning with national standards, consider contacting the Ombudsman. They can investigate complaints and problems at an organizational level, as well as provide direction to both individuals and businesses.
Get Familiar with the National First Aid Code of Practice
Alongside leveraging the Fair Work Ombudsman, make sure you brush up on Australia’s “First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice.” This outlines the minimum legal requirements for first aid kits, facilities, equipment and worker training.
Understanding these baseline standards will help you identify any shortcomings or non-compliance at your organization. It also clarifies exactly what your workplace first aid rights and responsibilities are under the national code.
Lodging A Complaint or Query with the Ombudsman
If you want to move forward with reporting a workplace first aid issue or seeking advice, contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman is simple. Call their helpline on 13 13 94 to speak to an advisor one-on-one. Alternatively, filling out their online enquiry form can start the process if you prefer written communication.
Interacting with the Ombudsman is always confidential and comes at no cost. So don’t hesitate to leverage their expertise if you have any concerns or uncertainties around first aid in your workplace.
Expand Your Knowledge Even Further
Beyond the Fair Work Ombudsman, consider also tapping into these additional work health and safety resources:
- Safe Work Australia for comprehensive guidelines, fact sheets and toolkits
- Your state or territory’s health and safety regulator for localized advice and complaint mechanisms
- First aid training providers for continual development of your first aid knowledge and skills
While a defined first aid ombudsman role may not exist yet, hopefully this gives you a few places to look. We’re all for making first aid a priority and hope you can make a difference in your workplace!
