
Community Defibrillator Fund
On this page
- Early access to a defibrillator helps save lives.
- It is extremely important in rural and remote locations across Tasmania.
- Our Community Defibrillator Fund currently provides 180 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).
- The Tasmanian Government provides AEDs to community and not-for-profit organisations and individuals.
- 90 AEDs are available each during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years.
- Applications for the 2022-23 financial year closed on 14 August 2022.
How to apply for an AED through the fund
We consider your applications based on:
- your location and accessibility of the defibrillator
- your ability to maintain it
- registering your defibrillator in the Early Access to Defibrillator Program
- your willingness to respond to a cardiac arrest through the Early Access to Defibrillator Program
- your willingness to maintain your AED, including costs of replacing AED battery and pads.
Applications for the 2022-23 financial year have closed
Cost to replace the AED battery and defibrillator pads
The cost is approximately:
- $250 every four years for batteries
- $85 every two years for defibrillator pads.
Where to store the AED
- Store your AED in an area that is easy to access 24 hours, seven days per week.
Where to access AED training
- You do not need training to use the AED machine.
- Turn it on.
- The machine will give you simple steps for everything you need to do.
- On-line training is also available.
Why you should register your AED
- This advises us of the location of nearby devices to a cardiac arrest.
- Once you register your machine, we add your location to the AED Locator smartphone app.
- Find the app of on the Apple Store and for Android from Google Play.
- This helps us respond better to 000 calls.
- To check your registration, email us: [email protected]
What to do if you need to use your AED
- Immediately call 000.
- The operator can help you use of the AED.
- Once turned on, the AED will talk you through the procedure.
- You cannot do any harm to a person by applying an AED.
Legal risks of using an AED
If the patient does not survive, there is no significant legal risk if you use the AED:
- in good faith
- without recklessness
- in response to an emergency
- without expecting any financial reward.
Last updated