Life-saving AEDs Available Across SA ‘in Heartbeat’
It’s never been easier to deliver a life-saving shock to a fellow South Australian in a cardiac emergency, with the Malinauskas Labor Government’s world-leading Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) legislation now in full force.
These life-saving devices became mandatory this month in even more public buildings, facilities and vehicles across the state – making them more accessible than ever and giving South Australians a better chance of surviving a heart attack.
A new ad campaign has begun, informing South Australians of the widespread availability of AEDs thanks to the completed rollout of the Government’s legislation.
The ‘Find one in a heartbeat’ campaign aims to inform South Australians that these life-saving devices are now readily accessible, so that in a cardiac emergency, help is never far away.
No training is required to use an AED and the device will talk the user through the steps to take.
Ads started this week across social media, newspapers, screens, billboards, radio and buses statewide.
In South Australia, around 22 people suffer a cardiac arrest every week, with many of those happening outside a hospital setting. Timing is vital and survival often depends on how quickly a bystander can respond.
From 1 January 2026, life-saving AEDs became mandatory in certain public buildings, facilities and vehicles across the state – making them more accessible than ever in community and public locations.
All buildings and facilities designated under the Act, such as public buildings, schools, universities, libraries, sporting facilities, theatres and swimming pools now need to have at least one AED installed.
In addition, you will find them in all public buses, trains and trams.
This builds on the first round of mandates which came into effect on 1 January 2025 for all in-scope buildings and facilities owned by Government.
Owners of such places need to ensure any AED installed is clearly signed, publicly accessible (where applicable) and registered on the South Australian AED register.
These changes are required under the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 to ensure the community can have access to potentially life-saving equipment in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.
Signage should be installed near the AED and outside the building or facility to ensure the community is aware the device is available.
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, they may collapse, have an irregular heartbeat and stop breathing normally.
Every minute defibrillation is delayed to a person suffering a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent.
Once an AED is installed, it must be registered to ensure the location of each device and the hours it is available can be accessed by Triple Zero (000) call takers in the event of a cardiac emergency.
When you call Triple Zero (000) in a cardiac emergency, the call taker will guide you through CPR, direct you to your nearest AED, and support you through each step until help arrives.
To support eligible sporting and community organisations, Preventive Health SA has provided more than $2 million in grant funding to help with the purchase of an AED where one is required under the Act.
More information can be found at Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
Ad campaign materials can be found here.
As put by Blair Boyer
Our world-leading AED mandates will help save South Australian lives.
Defibs are now compulsory in a whole range of public and community buildings and locations.
Defibs save lives, but only if they are accessible and people know where they are and feel confident using them.
We want every South Australian to understand that you don’t need training to use an AED. The devices are safe and easy to use and talk you through the steps.
In a cardiac emergency, every second counts. By increasing awareness and encouraging people to act quickly, we can significantly improve survival rates.
As put by Member for Badcoe, Jayne Stinson MP
The best thing you can do now to save a life is to take notice of where your nearest defibrillator is.
There are now scores of them peppered across our local area, just waiting for the critical moment they’ll save someone’s life.
Whether it’s at your sports club, pub or even on the train, there’s sure to be one close.
It could be the life of someone you love that you save with our new AEDs.
As put by SA Health Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy & Governance, Sinead O’Brien
Having AEDs in public places is a critical step towards saving the lives of South Australians.
This campaign works alongside the legislation to protect and empower all South Australians – the more people who know about these devices and how to respond, the safer our communities become.
Ensuring that AEDs are visible, accessible and part of everyday awareness in SA, with devices located in popular public areas, means help is never far away.
As put by Goodwood Cricket Club Secretary Adrian Nippress
As one of the largest cricket clubs in the state, we regularly have dozens of people of all ages and underlying health conditions participating and watching games, so having access to an AED is crucial.
We take the health and safety of our cricket community seriously and welcome the move to make AEDs more visible and accessible.
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