CPR & First Aid Statistics Australia

The Numbers That Make
First Aid Training
Essential

Every statistic on this page represents a real life. These are the facts behind why knowing CPR is one of the most important skills any Australian can have.

32,000+

Cardiac arrests
per year in Australia

~70

Cardiac arrests
every single day

Only 10%

Currently survive
out-of-hospital arrest

80%

Of cardiac arrests
happen at home

Cardiac Arrest in Australia

Understanding the Scale of the Crisis

Annual cardiac arrests

0+

Australians experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year

Over 32,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals annually one of the highest rates in the developed world. Most happen without warning.

~0

Cardiac arrests every day

One cardiac arrest every 21 minutes across homes, workplaces, and public spaces nationwide.

0%

Current survival rate

Only 1 in 10 victims survive, because trained bystander help rarely reaches them in time.

Why Every Second Counts

Survival Drops Every Single Minute

Without CPR or defibrillation, chances of survival decrease by 710% for every minute that passes. The window to act is dangerously short.

0 min

98%

survival

2 min

80%

survival

4 min

60%

survival

6 min

40%

survival

8 min

20%

survival

10 min

~10%

survival

CPR started immediately
No CPR given

When CPR and an AED are used within 35 minutes of collapse, survival rates can reach up to 70%, compared to just 10% today.

The Impact of CPR

What Trained Bystanders Can Achieve

2-3x

Higher survival chances

Immediate CPR from a bystander can double or even triple a person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest compared to waiting for paramedics alone.

0%

Survival rate with early AED

When CPR is combined with defibrillation within 3-5 minutes of collapse, survival rates can climb to up to 70%.

7-10%

Survival drop per minute

For every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation, the chance of survival falls by 7-10%. Fast action is essential.

Bystander Response & Location

You Are the Most Likely First Responder

In most cardiac emergencies, ambulance services cannot arrive fast enough. A trained bystander on scene in the first critical minutes is the single greatest factor in improving survival.

Where cardiac arrests occur

0%

of cardiac arrests occur at home

This means the first responder isn’t usually a paramedic it’s a family member, a partner, or a friend. Being trained in CPR could mean saving someone you love.

Only 40% of victims receive bystander CPR before the ambulance arrives

4575% bystander CPR rates vary across Australian states and territories

710% survival drops per minute without CPR or defibrillation

Across Australia, bystander CPR rates range from 45% to 75% depending on location meaning tens of thousands of cardiac arrest victims each year do not receive the help they need in time. Training more Australians closes this gap.

CPR Training in Australia

The Training Gap
We Need to Close

While more than half of Australians have done CPR training at some point, only a fraction are currently trained. CPR guidelines are updated regularly and skills fade fast without practice.

Annual refresher training is strongly recommended and is the single most effective way to ensure you're ready to act when it truly matters.

Have done CPR training

at some point in their lives

0%

Currently trained in CPR

completed training within the last year

0%

That means 78% of Australians are not currently equipped to respond confidently in a cardiac emergency.

Why Training Matters

Be the Person Who
Makes the Difference

Learning CPR gives you the skills and confidence to act in those critical first minutes before emergency services arrive. The facts below show exactly why it matters.

32,000+

Cardiac Arrests

Australians experience cardiac arrest outside hospital each year.

2–3×

Survival Increase

Immediate CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

10%

Per Minute Lost

Every minute without CPR reduces survival by up to 10 percent.

80%

Happen at Home

Most cardiac arrests occur at home. It could be someone you love.

Only 1 in 10 cardiac arrest victims survive — often because help didn’t arrive in time.

Only 22% of Australians have current CPR training — the gap is critical.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Getting trained takes just a few hours — and it could save a life.