The vast majority (87%) of workplaces are failing to comply with provisions of the harmonised first-aid Code of Practice relating to resources, training and first-aid emergency drills, according to St John Ambulance Australia.

Only 13 per cent of workplaces "know how to keep their employees safe", the self-funding charity organisation said.

From a study of 600 employees and 100 employers from "low-risk" sectors - such as education, hospitality and retail - in all jurisdictions, the organisation also found that 65 per cent of employers didn't know the new First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice existed.

Only 48 per cent of workplaces offered accredited first-aid training to employees, and fewer than half had appropriate first-aid kits and signage.

Only 24 per cent of workers had participated in first-aid training or drills.

In the retail sector, only six per cent of workplaces complied with the Code.

"Australian workplaces are in a volatile situation and employers need to act now to reduce the risk to their employees, customers and ultimately their businesses," St John Ambulance Australia CEO Peter LeCornu said.

"Administering first aid in the first five minutes after an incident can dramatically change the outcome," he said.

"Businesses need to be prepared to save a life and empower their employees with the confidence to act.

"It is not just a matter of buying a first-aid kit and assuming staff will know what to do. Every employer should be striving for best practice when it comes to first aid."

St John Ambulance NSW business general manager, Brett Hamilton, last year described the model Code as best practice, and said employers in both harmonised and non-harmonised jurisdictions that transitioned to it would exceed their first-aid obligations (see related article).

St John Ambulance Australia has an online risk assessment check list to help employers in all jurisdictions determine if they're complying with the model Code.