Rules for CPR in Australia are governed by guidelines set by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and follows the DRSABCD action plan, with a standard compression-to-breath ratio of 30:2 for adults. Whether you’re a workplace safety officer, a healthcare professional, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, understanding the rules for CPR in Australia could mean the difference between life and death.
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere — at home, on a worksite, or in a shopping centre. Effective bystander CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, according to the ARC. Brain damage can begin within 4–6 minutes of the heart stopping, which is why every second counts. This guide walks you through the official guidelines, the 7 steps to CPR, compression ratios, AED use, your legal responsibilities, and how to get certified.
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Key Takeaways: Rules for CPR In Australia
- Rules for CPR in Australia follow the ARC/ANZCOR guidelines, using the DRSABCD action plan.
- The standard compression-to-breath ratio for adults is 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
- Chest compressions should be delivered at a rate of 100–120 per minute, to a depth of 5–6 cm for adults.
- Approximately 5 CPR cycles can be completed in 2 minutes, with around 2–3 cycles per minute.
- An AED should be used as soon as one is available — it works alongside CPR, not instead of it.
- Workplace CPR certification through HLTAID009 is valid for 12 months and should be renewed annually.
- Good Samaritan laws in Australia protect bystanders who provide CPR in good faith.
What Is CPR and Why Does It Matter in Australia?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency technique that combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep oxygenated blood moving through the body when the heart has stopped. The goal is to maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs until professional help arrives.
In Australia, cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death and is often preventable with swift action. Survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remain low frequently because bystander CPR is not given quickly enough. When CPR begins within the first few minutes, outcomes improve dramatically.
CPR is not just for healthcare professionals. In Australian workplaces, schools, aged care settings, and community environments, having trained people on hand is both a practical necessity and, in many cases, a legal requirement.
What Are the Official CPR Guidelines in Australia?
CPR in Australia is governed by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR). These bodies regularly review and update their guidelines in line with the latest international research, ensuring that Australian practice aligns with global best standards.
The ARC guidelines cover everything from how to perform chest compressions and rescue breaths to the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and airway management. They also align with Safe Work Australia’s first aid in the workplace code of practice, which outlines employer obligations around having trained first aiders on site.
Key principles from the current ARC guidelines include:
CPR Guideline Elements at a Glance
Key adult CPR recommendations for training, refreshers, and emergency response.
Compression Rate
100–120 per minute
Compression Depth (Adults)
5–6 cm
Compression-to-Breath Ratio
30:2 (adults and children)
Hands-only CPR
Acceptable if rescuer is unable or unwilling to give breaths.
AED Use
As soon as available
CPR Certification Renewal
Every 12 months
It is important to note that guidelines are updated periodically. Completing an accredited CPR course ensures you are always trained to the most current standard.
What Is the DRSABCD Action Plan?
The DRSABCD action plan is the foundation of basic life support in Australia. It provides a clear, step-by-step framework for responding to any emergency, including cardiac arrest. Every step must be followed in order.
DRSABCD Action Plan at a Glance
A simple step-by-step guide to the core first aid response sequence in an emergency.
Danger
Check for hazards to yourself, bystanders, and the patient.
Response
Check if the patient is conscious and responsive.
Send for Help
Call 000 or ask someone to call immediately.
Airway
Open and clear the airway.
Breathing
Check for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
CPR
If unresponsive - Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Defibrillation
Attach and use an AED as soon as one is available.
How Do You Check for Danger and Response Before Starting CPR?
Before touching the patient, scan the scene for hazards — traffic, electricity, unstable structures, or aggressive bystanders. Only proceed once it is safe to do so.
To check for response, speak loudly and clearly (“Can you hear me? Open your eyes!”) and gently squeeze the patient’s shoulders. If there is no response, no normal breathing, and no signs of life, you should assume cardiac arrest and move immediately through the remaining steps of DRSABCD.
What Are the 7 Steps of DRSABCD in Australia?
Once you have checked for danger, response and sent for help, continue with airway, breathing, CPR and defibrillation as outlined below, following current ANZCOR/ARC guidelines.
Call 000
If you haven't already, call Triple Zero (000) or direct someone nearby to do so. Stay on the line — the operator can guide you through CPR if needed.
Position the Patient
Lay the patient on their back on a firm, flat surface. Kneel beside them at chest level.
Open the Airway
Tilt the head back gently and lift the chin to open the airway. Check for any visible obstructions.
Check for Breathing
Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps, sometimes called agonal breathing, are not normal breathing — begin CPR.
Begin Chest Compressions
Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest on the lower half of the sternum, place your other hand on top, interlace your fingers, and compress firmly downward.
Give Rescue Breaths
After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. Tilt the head, lift the chin, pinch the nose, and breathe steadily into the mouth for 1 - 2 seconds until the chest rises.
Continue CPR Until Help Arrives
Maintain the 30:2 cycle until the patient shows signs of life, a trained responder takes over, or you are physically unable to continue.
Attach an AED as soon as it is available and follow the prompts, resuming CPR immediately after any shock.
Compression Ratio
Use 30 compressions to 2 breaths unless you are doing hands-only CPR.
Breathing Check
Spend no more than 10 seconds checking for normal breathing.
AED Use
Apply an AED as soon as available and restart CPR straight after any advised shock.
How Do You Perform Chest Compressions Correctly?
Correct compression technique is critical to effective CPR. For adults, follow the ANZCOR and Australian Resuscitation Council recommendations below.
Hand Placement
Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the centre of the chest. Place the other hand on top with fingers interlocked. Position your upper body over the chest, keep your arms straight and push down firmly using your body weight.
Compression Depth
Compress the chest to a depth of 5–6 cm, which is approximately one third of the chest depth in adults.
Compression Rate
Maintain a steady rhythm of 100–120 compressions per minute, allowing blood to circulate effectively.
Full Chest Recoil
Allow the chest to fully rise between compressions. Avoid leaning on the chest so the heart can refill with blood.
Minimal Interruptions
Keep pauses in compressions to under 10 seconds whenever possible to maintain circulation.
Compression Depth
Push the chest down 5–6 cm during each compression.
Compression Rate
Aim for 100–120 compressions per minute.
Full Recoil
Let the chest fully return to its normal position after each compression.
How Do You Give Rescue Breaths Effectively?
Each rescue breath should be delivered over approximately one second, with enough volume to make the chest visibly rise. Do not over-inflate — this can cause air to enter the stomach.
For adults: seal your mouth over the patient’s mouth, pinch the nose closed, and breathe in steadily.
For infants: cover both the mouth and nose with your mouth and give small puffs of air.
If you are unable or unwilling to give rescue breaths, compression-only CPR is still highly effective for adults and non-drowning victims, particularly in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. The ARC acknowledges this as an acceptable alternative for untrained bystanders or in situations where mouth-to-mouth is not possible.
Is CPR Always 30 Compressions to 2 Breaths?
The short answer is: for most situations, yes — but there are some important exceptions.
Most Single Rescuer CPR Uses 30:2
For adults, children and infants with a single rescuer, the standard compression-to-breath ratio is generally 30:2.
Some Scenarios Use a Different Ratio
Special situations such as two trained rescuers, compression-only CPR, or a patient with an advanced airway require a different approach.
| Situation | Compression:Breath Ratio |
|---|---|
| Adult (single rescuer) | 30:2 |
| Child (single rescuer) | 30:2 |
| Infant (single rescuer) | 30:2 |
| Two trained rescuers (infant/child) | 15:2 |
| Compression-only CPR | Continuous compressions, no breaths |
| Patient with advanced airway in place | Continuous compressions, 1 breath every 6 seconds |
Standard Ratio
For most single rescuer CPR situations, use 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
Two Rescuer Paediatric CPR
For a child or infant with two trained rescuers, use 15:2.
Advanced Airway
With an advanced airway in place, give continuous compressions with 1 breath every 6 seconds.
The standard 30:2 ratio applies across adults, children, and infants when there is a single rescuer. When two trained rescuers are working together on an infant or child, the ratio changes to 15:2 to increase the frequency of rescue breaths relative to body size.
Compression-only CPR — where no rescue breaths are given — is recommended by the ARC as an option for bystanders who are not trained or confident in giving rescue breaths. It is significantly better than no CPR at all.
How Many CPR Cycles Are Done in 1 Minute?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions, and the answer depends on how you count the cycles.
One CPR cycle = 30 chest compressions + 2 rescue breaths.
- At the recommended compression rate of 100–120 per minute, 30 compressions take approximately 18–20 seconds
- Adding 2 rescue breaths (approximately 5 seconds total) brings each cycle to roughly 23–25 seconds
- This means approximately 2–3 complete cycles can be performed per minute
The ARC recommends evaluating the patient every 2 minutes (approximately 5 cycles), at which point you check for signs of life and, if an AED is present, analyse the heart rhythm.
CPR Cycle at a Glance
Understanding the timing and structure of a typical CPR cycle helps rescuers maintain an effective rhythm during resuscitation.
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What Is an AED and How Does It Work With CPR?
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that analyses the heart’s rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat when required. AEDs are designed for use by non-medical personnel — they provide clear voice prompts and will only deliver a shock when the device detects a rhythm that warrants one.
Defibrillation is most effective when delivered early. For every minute without defibrillation, the chance of survival drops by approximately 10%, which is why AEDs are increasingly available in Australian public spaces, workplaces, and community facilities.
How to use an AED:
- Power on the device and follow voice prompts
- Attach pads to the patient’s bare chest as illustrated on the pads
- Ensure no one is touching the patient during rhythm analysis
- If a shock is advised, stand clear and press the shock button
- Resume CPR immediately after the shock and continue following prompts every 2 minutes
AED use works alongside CPR — not instead of it. Continue compressions and rescue breaths between each AED analysis.
What Are the Legal Responsibilities for Providing CPR in Australia?
Many people hesitate to perform CPR on a stranger out of fear of legal consequences. The good news is that Australian law is firmly on the side of the helper.
Good Samaritan laws exist in all Australian states and territories, protecting anyone who provides emergency assistance in good faith. As long as you act reasonably, you are generally protected from civil liability.
In the workplace, responsibilities are more defined. Under Safe Work Australia’s first aid in the workplace code of practice, employers must ensure an adequate number of trained first aiders are present relative to workforce size and risk, provide appropriate equipment including AEDs where suitable, and make first aid accessible to all workers.
Roles such as safety officers, childcare educators, aged care workers, and NDIS support workers often carry a specific obligation to hold current CPR certification. A current HLTAID009 means you can act with confidence, competence, and legal clarity.
How Long Should CPR Continue?
CPR should continue without unnecessary interruption until one of the following occurs:
- The patient shows clear signs of life (breathing normally, moving purposefully)
- An AED is attached and ready to analyse
- Emergency services take over
- You are physically unable to continue
Rescuer fatigue is real — effective CPR is demanding work. If another trained person is available, rotate every 2 minutes to maintain compression quality. The 000 operator will stay on the line and guide you until paramedics arrive.
Knowledge Test: How Much Do You Know About CPR?
Test your understanding with this quick quiz. Select one answer for each question, then click Check Answers.
Don’t wait for an emergency to wish you’d been trained. Enrol in First Aid Pro’s Workplace Training HLTAID009 CPR course today and give your team the confidence to act when it matters most. Book your nationally recognised CPR certification with First Aid Pro →
References
- Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR). ANZCOR Guideline 8: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
- Better Health Channel Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Heath Direct: How to perform CPR – on adults, children and babies
- Mayo Clinic: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): First aid
- Heart Foundation: CPR – Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | Heart of the Nation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CPR always 30 compressions to 2 breaths in Australia?
For single-rescuer CPR on adults, children, and infants, yes — the standard ratio is 30:2. The exception is when two trained rescuers are performing CPR on an infant or child, in which case the ratio changes to 15:2. Compression-only CPR (no rescue breaths) is also an accepted alternative for untrained bystanders.
How many CPR cycles should be completed in 1 minute?
Based on ARC guidelines, one CPR cycle of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths takes approximately 23–25 seconds, meaning roughly 2–3 full cycles can be completed per minute. The patient should be reassessed every 2 minutes (approximately 5 cycles).
What does DRSABCD stand for?
DRSABCD stands for Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, and Defibrillation. It is the standard basic life support action plan used across Australia and forms the core of the HLTAID009 CPR course.
Can I perform CPR without giving rescue breaths?
Yes. Compression-only CPR is recognised by the ARC as an acceptable option, particularly for bystanders who are not trained or comfortable giving rescue breaths. Uninterrupted chest compressions alone can significantly improve survival outcomes, especially in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest.
