Who Provides Guidelines for CPR and First Aid Standards?

Let’s set the record straight: CPR and first aid aren’t freestyle activities where you make things up as you go. These life-saving techniques follow guidelines meticulously crafted by experts, ensuring you’re doing the best possible thing in an emergency.

In Australia, several organizations play a key role in shaping these guidelines, but the big names you’ll want to know are ANZCOR, ILCOR, and Safe Work Australia. Each has its role in ensuring you’ve got the right tools, training, and techniques when it counts.

Key Takeaway

Australia’s CPR and first aid guidelines are science-based, globally informed, and locally adapted. From ANZCOR’s fine-tuned practices to Safe Work Australia’s workplace requirements, these guidelines empower you to save lives. To learn and apply them, book a first aid course with us today.

What is ANZCOR?

The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) is the regional powerhouse behind CPR and first aid guidelines for Australia and New Zealand. These guidelines cover everything from performing CPR on an adult to treating jellyfish stings.

But what sets ANZCOR apart is their ability to tailor global research to our local context. Australia and New Zealand have unique challenges—whether it’s venomous snakes, remote locations, or different healthcare systems. ANZCOR doesn’t just copy and paste recommendations; they adapt them to fit what works here.

You can check out their official guidelines here.

What is ILCOR?

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is the global think tank behind resuscitation science. It brings together experts from around the world to evaluate research and establish the scientific foundation for CPR and first aid practices.

Think of ILCOR as the international chef, cooking up a big batch of evidence-based recommendations. ANZCOR then takes that recipe, adjusts the seasoning, and makes it work for our local tastes and needs.

Safe Work Australia: First Aid in the Workplace

a worker helps another worker with a first aid kit

In the workplace, Safe Work Australia steps in to ensure employers meet their first aid responsibilities. Their Code of Practice outlines how to provide proper first aid resources, from stocking the right supplies to training enough staff.

Key points include:

Tailored first aid kits for the workplace’s size and risk level.
Adequate first aiders on site based on staff numbers and work hazards.
Training compliance to ensure first aiders are up to date with the latest practices.

For a quick overview, see this guide to the First Aid Code of Practice.

Why Guidelines Matter

These guidelines aren’t just bureaucratic red tape—they’re about ensuring you can respond effectively when someone’s life is on the line. Following evidence-based practices means you’re more likely to help, not harm.

Here’s the deal: guidelines evolve as science advances. What worked ten years ago might no longer be the best practice. Staying updated through regular training is essential, and that’s where we come in.

How ANZCOR Develops Guidelines

ANZCOR’s process is thorough and scientific, ensuring their recommendations are rooted in evidence and relevance. Here’s how it works:

Global Evidence Gathering
ANZCOR collaborates with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to review research on resuscitation and first aid from around the world. ILCOR gathers massive amounts of data and evaluates what works best in emergencies based on scientific studies.
Local Adaptation
Not everything that works globally applies to Australia and New Zealand. ANZCOR assesses the evidence through a local lens. For example, while CPR techniques are universal, guidelines for snakebite treatment in Australia must address venomous species like the Eastern Brown Snake, which aren’t a factor in other countries. Similarly, what works in a densely populated area with rapid ambulance access might not be practical for someone injured in the Outback. ANZCOR ensures guidelines are effective in urban, rural, and remote settings.
Evidence Grading
ANZCOR uses a tiered system to classify recommendations based on the strength of evidence:
- High-Evidence Recommendations are backed by robust studies and consistent results. These represent the gold standard of care.
- Low-Evidence Recommendations rely on limited data or expert consensus. While less conclusive, these are often the best options available for certain situations.
Review and Feedback
ANZCOR drafts the guidelines and opens them up for feedback from healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public. This collaborative approach ensures that the guidelines are practical, scientifically sound, and easy to implement.
Publication and Updates
After fine-tuning, ANZCOR releases the guidelines, making them freely accessible. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect the latest evidence and changing needs.

This method ensures that ANZCOR’s recommendations are not only evidence-based but also contextually appropriate, empowering Australians and New Zealanders to act confidently in emergencies.

Book Your First Aid Course Today

Want to move from “I think I know CPR” to “I’m confident I can save a life”? That starts with proper training. Our courses cover the latest ANZCOR guidelines and Safe Work Australia requirements, so you’re always ahead of the curve.