New South Australian Defibrillator Laws: A Practical Guide for SA Business Owners

Pulse Defibs
Nov 21
6 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen anywhere, anytime, and without warning. Immediate access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can save lives.

The South Australian Government has introduced new defibrillator (AED) laws that require many buildings, facilities, and vehicles to install, register, and maintain defibrillators. This article aims to break down the legislation and explain it in clear, simple terms - without the confusing legal jargon.

You'll learn if the AED laws apply to your site, business, or facility, and how to take action to ensure compliance with the act.

View the act here: Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 (SA)

Eye-level view of a wall-mounted AED device in a public building hallway

What is an AED and Why Does It Matter?

An Automated External Defibrillator is a portable device designed to treat sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock to the heart. This shock can stop an irregular rhythm and allow the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed for use by laypeople with minimal training, making them essential in public spaces and workplaces.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest affects 30,000 Australians a year. Which isn't insignificant - that's 82 people every single day.

What is the South Australian Defib Act?

The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 (SA) was introduced to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by ensuring AEDs are readily available and accessible in public buildings, workplaces, facilities, and certain vehicles across South Australia.

Beyond saving lives, the Act provides clear legal guidance for building and facility owners. It outlines where AEDs must be installed, the requirements for signage, and the need for proper maintenance and registration. This ensures that AEDs are not only available but are rescue-ready, helping businesses and organisations comply with the law while protecting staff, visitors, and the wider community.

The act comes into effect on January 1st 2026.

Who/what buildings does the SA Defibrillator Act apply to?

The South Australian AED legislation applies to two types of buildings. One is “designated buildings” & the other is “prescribed buildings”.

The Act is very clear about designated buildings and even provides a detailed list of the types of buildings that fall into this category. If your building or facility is on this list, the legislation definitely applies:

Public buildings
- Council offices, libraries, town halls, community centres, government service centres, and any public meeting spaces.
Sports, recreation and leisure facilities
- Sporting clubs, gyms, fitness centres, stadiums, ovals, courts, swimming pools, indoor recreation centres, golf clubs, and multi-purpose community halls.
Educational and childcare facilities
- Kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, TAFE and university campuses, childcare centres, and after-school programs.
Accommodation and tourism facilities
- Hotels, motels, resorts, caravan and holiday parks, hostels, serviced apartments, bed and breakfasts, and retirement villages.
Healthcare and aged care facilities
- Residential aged care facilities, retirement living complexes, rehabilitation centres, and community health clinics (non-hospital).
Commercial and retail buildings
- Shopping centres, large office buildings, supermarkets, retail outlets, banks, restaurants, cafes, and large industrial or commercial premises where the public may enter.
Entertainment, arts and cultural venues
- Cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, exhibition centres, casinos, night clubs, pubs, amusement centres, and community event spaces.
Transport hubs and prescribed vehicles
- Train stations, tram stops, bus depots, airports, ferries, public transport vehicles, emergency service vehicles, and other high-occupancy vehicles where rapid AED access may save lives.

The legislation also applies to prescribed buildings or facilities. However, it is not as straightforward as above. Whether a site is classified as prescribed depends on the publicly accessible floor area rather than its use.

This means that even if your building or facility is not specifically listed as a designated building, the Act may still apply depending on the publicly accessible floor area.

Any commercial building with a publicly accessible floor area of 600 m² or more is considered a prescribed building, and an AED must be installed, clearly signposted, maintained, and registered.

How many AED's are required?

If a building is defined as designated or prescribed, at least one AED is required.

Multiple devices may be required, depending on the amount of publicly accessible floor area.

Publicly accessible floor area is defined as the floor area that the public has unobstructed access to while the building is open (in other words, during business hours).

To determine if multiple devices are required, use the table below.

Penalties for non-compliance with the South Australian Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Act

Failure to comply with the South Australian Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Act carries a maximum penalty of $20,000.

Choosing a Defibrillator

Selecting the right defibrillator is a critical decision that can save lives and spare business owners future headaches & expenses. With a wide variety of devices on the market, it’s important to consider ease of use, reliability & maintenance costs.

Not all defibrillators are created equal - some are prone to recalls, require frequent consumable replacements, or in some cases, may not even deliver an adequate shock!

Further to this, Australia is set to adopt the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) framework by 2027. This means defibrillator manufacturers will soon face far stricter requirements for clinical evidence, documentation, and regulatory compliance before their devices can be supplied to the public.

At present, several defibrillators available in Australia do not hold EU MDR Certification. As the transition progresses, these brands will face significant challenges & could be pulled from the market, rendering the devices obsolete.

Rest assured, we have done the research for you and selected a small range of defibs that meet our strict criteria below. Check out our defibrillators here.

Ease of Use
- Choose an AED that provides clear voice prompts and visual instructions, so anyone - staff, visitors, or customers - can operate it confidently.
Reliable and Effective Shock Delivery
- Ensure the device delivers an adequate and effective shock in accordance with ANZCOR resuscitation guidelines.
Long-Life Consumables / ongoing costs
- Look for devices with long-lasting batteries and electrode pads. A good AED will offer consumables with 5-year lifespans, reducing the frequency and cost of replacements.
Future-proofed Compliance & Certification
- Look for devices with EU MDR Certification. This ensures that pads & batteries for the device will be available for years ahead - keeping your defib operational.
Warranty and Support
- Consider devices with a robust warranty and reliable after-install support. Engage with a supplier that cares about the ongoing functionality of your defibrillator, rather than just an online shop with no support. We recommend devices with over 7 years of warranty,

Ongoing maintenance obligations

Under the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 (SA), it’s not enough to install an AED put it in a cabinet and forget about it. These devices are not "set & forget", they require maintenance to ensure they are ready for use when it matters most.

Maintenance not only ensures defibrillators are in working order, but it also plays a crucial role in protecting businesses from potential liability that could arise if the device is needed and found to be inoperable.

At Pulse Defibs, we define good defibrillator maintenance as a comprehensive process that ensures your AED is always rescue-ready and compliant with South Australian legislation.

Our maintenance process includes:

1. Annual Inspection

A thorough inspection of each AED to confirm it is in proper working order. This includes checking battery levels, electrode pad expiration dates, and overall operational status.

2. Maintenance & Replacement

Any expired or faulty components, such as batteries, electrode pads, or other parts, are replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

3. Testing & Calibration

We test the AED’s functionality to ensure it meets all local safety regulations and manufacturer specifications.

4. Software Updates

The AED’s software is updated to the latest version to maintain optimal performance and reliability.

5. Service Records

After each service, a detailed record is updated, noting any repairs, replacements, or adjustments. A copy is kept with the AED, and an archive copy is maintained by Pulse Defibs for reference.

6. Support

In the event of a malfunction, our team provides troubleshooting, repair, and temporary replacement services to ensure your workplace, building or facility remains complaint and visitors & staff are safe.

For more information on what defibrillator maintenance involves, or to engage Pulse Defibs for annual servicing, please visit our Defibrillator Maintenance page.