South Australian Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Legislation - Obligations
South Australian Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Legislation - Obligations
Member clubs are reminded that the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act (the Act) will require most if not all member clubs located on non-crown owned land to have one or more AEDs in place by 1 January 2026. Those on crown owned land have this already in effect.
A best practice guide outlining obligations has now been finalised and can be accessed on this page and a bulletin containing information went out to members on March 11 2025. This article however will look to provide a lengthier and more comprehensive rundown of the main obligations and considerations clubs need to be aware of, but clubs are urged to read the guide.
Which clubs will be caught by the requirements?
The following clubs will be caught by the legislation and be required to have at least one AED at their premises regardless of their size:
- All sporting clubs;
- clubs where gambling is authorised (unless where the only gambling is lottery tickets such as X-Lotto, Powerball); and
- clubs with a sports bar
All other clubs that do not fit into any of the above categories but has a building or multiple buildings with a floor area of 600m2 or more will also be caught (more details on how this is calculated will be provided further below).
Who is responsible for installing, maintaining and registering the AED or AEDs?
The owner of the land on which the building or facility is situated is responsible for installing, maintaining and registering any AED or AEDs required. Therefore, if a club owns the land that their club is on, they need to ensure compliance, however those who lease from council for example will not have the obligation and it will be council’s responsibility instead.
How do we measure floor area for our building or facility?
For clubs who are not automatically covered regardless of size, they need to determine if they will be deemed a “relevant” building or facility.
A relevant building has a floor area of 600m2 or more. A relevant facility is where:
- there are two or more relevant buildings owned by the same person or entity and used for a related purpose within 100m of another; or
- an enclosed or partially enclosed structure with a floor area of 600m2 or more used for sporting or recreational purposes and attended by the public.
When looking at calculating floor area you include the following:
- the internal floor space within the exterior walls of a building, including rooms, stairs, toilets, lifts, lift shafts and columns; and
- an external balcony or rooftop terrace.
In the case of a facility (relevant or otherwise) that is a single enclosed structure (whether fully or partially enclosed) you must count every relevant area within the perimeter of the facility.
How many AEDs do we need?
Any club that is captured by the legislation and meets both the below requirements may need more than 1 AED:
- The building or facility is used for commercial purpose e.g. the occupier of the land solely or primarily sells goods or provides services for money; and
- has a floor area of more than 1,200m2 that is publicly accessible.
A club is deemed to be on land for a commercial purpose where they charge a fee for membership, regardless of whether the sale or supply of goods is the primary or a secondary purpose.
If the answer to 1. and 2. above is yes, then you must have one AED for every 1,200m2 that is publicly accessible (up to 12,000m2 where the max amount is capped).
How do we calculate publicly accessible floor area?
Publicly accessible floor area is the area of the part of the building or facility to which the public has unobstructed access while that part, or the building or facility, is open to the public. Members only areas and areas accessed by payment of money would be included but not areas restricted to guests only (e.g. a room that requires a key or key card access) or staff only areas.
For the avoidance of doubt, clubs do not have to include outside areas such as ovals or space between buildings when calculating this, except for an external balcony or rooftop terrace.
Sporting clubs, clubs with gaming and those with a sports bar will look at all their buildings, external balconies and rooftop terraces publicly accessible floor area collectively.
Clubs deemed to be “relevant facilities” will also look at all “relevant” buildings within 100m of each other collectively. If, however, a club had “relevant” buildings that are over 100m apart then they will instead be looked at individually.
If a club already has the required number of AEDs, they just need to ensure compliance with requirements on placement, maintenance, signage etc as detailed below and in the guide.
Where can an AED be placed?
AEDs can be placed internally or externally to a building. It cannot however be installed in a cabinet, container or other structure that prevents immediate access e.g. it is in a cabinet that requires a key or access code to open. Placing it in a permanent location inside a building such as behind the bar or reception where it can be requested is allowed.
Registration & Maintenance
All installed AEDs must be registered on SA Ambulance Services websites AED Register which can be accessed here. AEDs must be registered within 2 weeks of installation and specify its location and times it is accessible by the public.
If an AED’s location or access times change then the information recorded must be updated.
AEDs need to be maintained in accordance with the AEDs manufacturer instructions and it is recommended that a regular inspection schedule is established and maintained.
Signage
For AEDs installed inside a building:
- a sign must be installed near the AED; and
- a sign must be installed outside and near an entrance of the building or facility, indicating that an AED is nearby.
For AEDs installed outside a building a sign must be installed near the AED, indicating that an AED is nearby.
Large buildings with multiple floors should have signage on each floor indicating the floor or area the AED is located. Additional signage templates can be accessed here.
What funding assistance can we get?
At time of writing the second round of the South Australian Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Grants Program is open. These grants provide $1,000 to assist not-for-profit community and sporting organisations with the cost of purchasing an AED or AEDs to meet the requirements of the Act.
Applications for this round of funding will close at 5:00pm, Wednesday 30 April and clubs can find more information here.
Please be advised that as the obligations for compliance are on the owners of the land on which the building is situated this means that if a club does not own the land they are located on then they will not be eligible.
Where to buy an AED?
Clubs SA recommends purchasing an AED from its community partner St Johns Ambulance Australia who can offer the following discounts for Clubs SA members:
- An AED for $1,950.00 instead of the usual $2,450.00; and/or
- A bundle pack for $2,150.00 instead of the usual $2,650.00.
