Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Regulations 2024

Consultation has concluded

We are seeking feedback on the proposed new Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Regulations 2024.

What's being decided?

We are seeking feedback on proposed new Automated External Defibrillators (AED) (Public Access) Regulations 2024 to support the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022.

We are also seeking feedback on the AED Best Practice Guide, which has been developed to support the application of the legislation. Consultation feedback will inform the final Regulations and Best Practice Guide.

Background

The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act was passed by both Houses of the South Australian Parliament in November 2022 and received royal assent by the Governor in December 2022.

Following a review of the legislation, and feedback received from building owners, changes were proposed by way of an Amendment Bill to enable consistent application and implementation. The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2024 underwent a six-week public consultation and passed both Houses of the South Australian Parliament in October 2024.

The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Regulations 2024 have been developed to support the operationalisation of the Act.

The AED legislation will come into operation for in scope Crown-owned buildings, facilities and emergency service vehicles on 1 January 2025. Obligations for Crown and non-Crown owned prescribed vehicles will come into operation on 1 January 2026, along with the obligations of all in scope non-Crown owned buildings and facilities.

The Regulations will:

  • Clarify the applicability of the Act through inclusion and exclusion of certain public buildings or facilities.
  • Set out who is a relevant authority for a prescribed vehicle.
  • Specify a distance between buildings for the purposes of being considered a relevant facility.
  • Provide a method for calculating the floor area of a building or a facility.
  • Define what is considered a prescribed sporting facility and provide specific examples.
  • Set out the requirements for a hospital or medical facility to be exempt from the requirements of the Act.
  • Provide for the maximum number of AEDs required in a relevant designated building or facility.
  • Ensure private, public, and independent schools are required to comply with the Act in the same manner.
  • Provide clarity regarding the placement and installation requirements for AEDs within a building or facility.

A Best Practice Guide has been developed to provide further clarity around the legal obligations for owners of relevant buildings, facilities and vehicles. The Best Practice Guide will:

  • Provide for easy-to-understand explanations regarding who the Act applies to, where AEDs must be installed, and how many AEDs would be required.
  • Provide for more detailed explanations around certain terminology within the Act such as: what does unobstructed access mean, what does it mean to not be accessible to the public.
  • Include practical industry examples to assist in understanding the applicability of the Act.
  • Set out the offence provisions.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback to finalise the final version of the draft Regulations and the Best Practice Guide.

Additional changes resulting from feedback will be summarised on this site, and available on the SA Health website.

We are seeking feedback on the proposed new Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Regulations 2024.

What's being decided?

We are seeking feedback on proposed new Automated External Defibrillators (AED) (Public Access) Regulations 2024 to support the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022.

We are also seeking feedback on the AED Best Practice Guide, which has been developed to support the application of the legislation. Consultation feedback will inform the final Regulations and Best Practice Guide.

Background

The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act was passed by both Houses of the South Australian Parliament in November 2022 and received royal assent by the Governor in December 2022.

Following a review of the legislation, and feedback received from building owners, changes were proposed by way of an Amendment Bill to enable consistent application and implementation. The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2024 underwent a six-week public consultation and passed both Houses of the South Australian Parliament in October 2024.

The Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Regulations 2024 have been developed to support the operationalisation of the Act.

The AED legislation will come into operation for in scope Crown-owned buildings, facilities and emergency service vehicles on 1 January 2025. Obligations for Crown and non-Crown owned prescribed vehicles will come into operation on 1 January 2026, along with the obligations of all in scope non-Crown owned buildings and facilities.

The Regulations will:

  • Clarify the applicability of the Act through inclusion and exclusion of certain public buildings or facilities.
  • Set out who is a relevant authority for a prescribed vehicle.
  • Specify a distance between buildings for the purposes of being considered a relevant facility.
  • Provide a method for calculating the floor area of a building or a facility.
  • Define what is considered a prescribed sporting facility and provide specific examples.
  • Set out the requirements for a hospital or medical facility to be exempt from the requirements of the Act.
  • Provide for the maximum number of AEDs required in a relevant designated building or facility.
  • Ensure private, public, and independent schools are required to comply with the Act in the same manner.
  • Provide clarity regarding the placement and installation requirements for AEDs within a building or facility.

A Best Practice Guide has been developed to provide further clarity around the legal obligations for owners of relevant buildings, facilities and vehicles. The Best Practice Guide will:

  • Provide for easy-to-understand explanations regarding who the Act applies to, where AEDs must be installed, and how many AEDs would be required.
  • Provide for more detailed explanations around certain terminology within the Act such as: what does unobstructed access mean, what does it mean to not be accessible to the public.
  • Include practical industry examples to assist in understanding the applicability of the Act.
  • Set out the offence provisions.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback to finalise the final version of the draft Regulations and the Best Practice Guide.

Additional changes resulting from feedback will be summarised on this site, and available on the SA Health website.