By John Haines, Founder of LivCor and former MICA Flight Paramedic. Published 11 October 2026. Last reviewed by John Haines on 11 October 2026.
Reading time: 12 minutes
In an emergency
If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 000, start CPR, and apply an AED as soon as one is available. Every minute without defibrillation lowers the chance of survival (ANZCOR Guideline 7).
The short version
- There is no single best AED for every Australian workplace. The right unit depends on where it will live, whether a child could be the patient, how much maintenance you will realistically do, and the cost over 8 years.
- Indoor office, adults only, tight budget: the Philips HeartStart HS1 is the lowest-priced unit of the three, has a widely recognised name, and its SMART Pads coach a first-time user at the user's own pace.
- Industrial, outdoor or harsh environments: the HeartSine samaritan PAD 500P leads on IP56 rating, lightest weight and real-time CPR feedback.
- Schools, childcare and anywhere children are likely: the Mediana A15 uses one set of pads for adult and child modes via a switch, so there is no second pad set to buy, stock or track.
- Multi-site operators and South Australian buyers covering public spaces: the A15 usually wins on total cost where child coverage is required across many units.
- One expiry date to track: every HeartSine samaritan PAD keeps pads and battery in a single Pad-Pak cartridge.
Why I have written this carefully
LivCor sells all three brands in this comparison, and we are an authorised Australian dealer for Mediana. You should know that before you read a word of it.
So the criteria are stated up front and applied to each unit in the same way. The recommendations are by use case, not a single winner. Each unit's trade-offs are spelled out, Mediana's included. I spent 18 years in Ambulance Service Victoria and have sold and serviced defibrillators since 1988; I have no interest in talking anyone into the wrong unit, because they ring me when it goes wrong.
If you finish this and feel sold to rather than informed, I have failed. Tell me at info@livcor.com.au.
The context: cardiac arrest in Australia
Around 25,000 to 26,000 Australians have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest attended by ambulance each year; of those where paramedics attempt resuscitation, about 13 per cent survive to leave hospital 1. The Heart Foundation and Heart of the Nation have set a national target of 30 per cent survival by 2050 2.
The single biggest factor is the time from collapse to defibrillation. ANZCOR's guidance is that early defibrillation with bystander CPR lifts survival substantially in witnessed cardiac arrests with a shockable rhythm 3. That is why this comparison weights ease of use for a first-time operator above every premium feature.
The TGA's Restricted Representations Permission for AEDs (2021) 4 allows suppliers to say plainly that an AED may improve the chance of survival in sudden cardiac arrest, provided the advice to call 000 accompanies it. It does.
The nine criteria
Weights reflect a typical Australian workplace buyer. A home, a sports club or a professional responder would weight them differently.
| # | Criterion | Weight | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ease of use for an untrained responder | 20% | Most workplace uses are by first-timers. The biggest variable in the outcome. |
| 2 | Total cost over 8 years | 15% | Pads and batteries change the answer. Buyers underestimate this. |
| 3 | Durability for the environment (IP rating, drop test) | 12% | Outdoor cabinets and factory floors punish units. Offices do not. |
| 4 | Pad and battery life | 10% | Replacement frequency and cost predictability. |
| 5 | Warranty length and coverage | 10% | Five and eight years are the Australian norms; coverage varies. |
| 6 | Adult-to-child switching | 8% | Public-access sites usually need child capability. Brands differ sharply. |
| 7 | ARTG listing and ARC compatibility | 10% | The baseline. Non-negotiable. |
| 8 | Australian support and consumables supply | 8% | A ten-year unit needs a ten-year supplier. |
| 9 | CPR feedback | 7% | Measured feedback improves compressions. A premium feature. |
What is deliberately not a criterion: brand reputation on its own, marketing claims, or how many of each unit LivCor sells. None of those tells you which unit will work on the day.
Nor is regulatory "approval" a criterion, because the TGA does not approve devices. A device is included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). All three units here are ARTG-listed, and all three are Class III medical devices under the TGA's November 2021 reclassification 5.
Side by side
LivCor prices as at October 2026. Specifications from the manufacturers' published data and LivCor's product listings.
| Mediana A15 | Philips HeartStart HS1 | HeartSine samaritan PAD 500P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mediana Co Ltd (Korea) | Philips | HeartSine Technologies (Stryker) |
| ARTG | 209076 | 92346 | 492286 |
| Operating mode | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic, with CPR Advisor |
| Weight | About 2.5 kg | About 1.5 kg | About 1.1 kg |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP21 (indoor) | IP56 |
| Adult to child | Switch on the unit, same pads | Separate infant/child SMART Pads cartridge | Separate Paediatric Pad-Pak |
| Pads | 2 years | 2 years | Pad-Pak 4 years (pads and battery together) |
| Battery | 4 to 5 years standby, 200+ shocks | 4 years | Pad-Pak 4 years |
| Self-test | Daily, weekly, monthly | Daily, weekly, monthly | Weekly |
| CPR coaching | Voice prompts and metronome | Voice coaching that adapts to the user's pace | CPR Advisor: measured rate and depth, voice and traffic-light display |
| Warranty | 5 years | 8 years | 8 years |
| TGA market actions | None found (October 2026) | April 2022 SMART Pads correction, closed April 2024 | June 2025 recall open (updated July 2026); audio correction closed January 2026; September 2025 Pad-Pak correction open |
| LivCor price | $1,599 unit only | $1,449 unit only | $2,319 package, no cabinet, subject to stock |
Three honest observations before the detail. The HS1 is the cheapest unit. The 500P is the dearest, and it is also the only one with measured CPR feedback, the highest IP rating and the lightest weight. The A15 sits between them on price and is the only one that handles a child without a second pad set. None of those positions is "better". They are trade-offs.
Philips also makes the HeartStart FRx, the rugged IP55 sibling of the HS1 at $1,990. Where this article says "Philips for an office", read FRx for the same brand in a factory. LivCor also stocks the Defibtech Lifeline AUTO and the Elliot, both fully automatic; they are covered in the AED Buying Guide.
Mediana A15 in depth
The Mediana HeartOn A15 is a Korean-made AED that has been sold in Australia for more than a decade. LivCor is an authorised Australian dealer.
Its defining feature is the adult-to-child switch. Most AEDs need a separate child pad cartridge or key for a patient under 8 (or under about 25 kg). The A15 uses one set of pads for both; flip the switch and the unit reduces the energy. Where children may be present, that removes a second expiry date and a second consumable from every unit you own.
The A15 is semi-automatic with voice and visual prompts, runs daily, weekly and monthly self-tests, ships with a lithium battery rated for more than 200 shocks and 4 to 5 years standby, and carries a five-year warranty. ARTG 209076.
Where the A15 makes sense
- Schools, childcare and any site where the unit must be ready for an adult or a child without a second pad inventory
- Organisations buying several units, where consumables predictability matters at scale
- South Australian buildings with public spaces where children are likely
- Buyers who want an established manufacturer with an Australian distribution footprint
Trade-offs to accept
- Lower brand recognition than Philips. Someone trained on a Philips will find the A15 familiar in principle but not identical.
- The A15 is sold as an indoor unit (IP54). For outdoor cabinets or washdown areas, look at the FRx or the 500P.
- A five-year warranty against eight on the Philips and HeartSine.
- A smaller Australian installed base, so fewer neighbours to compare notes with.
TGA market actions: As at October 2026, no TGA market action was found for Mediana HeartOn AEDs in Australia.
Philips HeartStart HS1 in depth
The Philips HeartStart HS1 is one of the most widely deployed AEDs in the world; Philips reported an installed base of more than 600,000 HeartStart units as far back as 2009 6. It is supplied in Australia under ARTG 92346. The HS1 unit LivCor sells ships with the Defibrillation and CPR learner guide I wrote.
Its defining feature is the SMART Pads cartridge. The pads click in pre-connected, and once the unit is on, the pads feed back to it so the voice prompts adapt to what the user is doing. If the user pauses, the unit repeats and rephrases. For a frightened first-time operator, an AED that never gets ahead of them is worth a great deal. Self-tests run daily, weekly and monthly, and the unit is ready to use on delivery with battery and pads installed.
Where the HS1 makes sense
- Indoor offices where children are unlikely and the environment is benign. IP21 is fine indoors; it is not for outdoor cabinets, jetting water or industrial dust.
- Workplaces that value familiarity. Many Australians who have done CPR training in the past 15 years have handled a Philips trainer.
- Corporate and public-facing settings where the brand is part of the reassurance.
- Buyers who want the lowest price of the three units compared here: $1,449 at LivCor.
Trade-offs to accept
- Child capability needs a separate infant/child SMART Pads cartridge at $252.
- IP21 rules out exposed, wet or dusty locations.
- Two expiry dates to track, pads and battery.
- The 4-year battery is the lifecycle cost driver; the HS1/FRx battery is $327.
TGA market actions: In April 2022 the TGA published a product defect correction for HS1 SMART Pads: gel could separate from the backing during pad preparation. Philips advised users to follow the voice prompts and use a spare cartridge if one was available. The correction closed on 24 April 2024 7.
HeartSine samaritan PAD 500P in depth
The HeartSine samaritan PAD range is made in Belfast by HeartSine Technologies, a Stryker company. The range shares one body: the 350P (semi-automatic), the 360P (fully automatic) and the 500P (semi-automatic with CPR Advisor). LivCor stocks the 500P.
Its defining feature is the Pad-Pak: battery and pads in one replaceable cartridge with one expiry date. That is the simplest maintenance arrangement of any AED in this comparison. The unit is the lightest here at about 1.1 kg and the toughest at IP56.
The 500P adds CPR Advisor, which measures compression rate and depth through the chest and tells the rescuer to push faster, push harder or that compressions are good, with a green, amber and red display. ANZCOR wants compressions at 100 to 120 a minute and 5 to 6 cm deep; most untrained rescuers fall short on both. Measured feedback is the only way an AED can correct that in real time.
Where the 500P makes sense
- Industrial, outdoor and harsh environments where IP56 and a rugged body matter
- Sports clubs, gyms, mobile responders and event coverage, where weight and CPR feedback both count
- A single operator responsible for one AED, where one expiry date is the whole maintenance plan
- Any buyer who wants measured CPR feedback
Trade-offs to accept
- The Pad-Pak's 4-year life is shorter than the A15's battery standby, so replacement comes round a little sooner.
- Child capability needs a separate Paediatric Pad-Pak at $330.
- The most expensive unit here: $2,319 for the package without a cabinet.
- CPR Advisor is validated for adults and switches off in paediatric mode.
- Stock has been intermittent in 2026; check availability before you plan around it.
TGA market actions: A June 2025 recall covers a subset of 350P, 360P and 500P serial numbers for a circuit board component that could cause device failure; it was updated in July 2026, Stryker expects all replacements by 31 May 2027 and advises keeping units in service until replaced 8. A separate audio-prompt correction, first issued in May 2024, closed in January 2026 9. Owners can check their serial number on Stryker's lookup tool.
How does Mediana compare to Philips and HeartSine?
Each brand wins a different scenario. The Philips HS1 is the lowest-priced of the three, a widely recognised name, with voice prompts that adapt to a first-time user's pace, but its IP21 rating keeps it indoors and its child pads are a separate purchase. The HeartSine 500P has the highest IP rating (IP56) and the lowest weight of the three, is the only one with measured CPR feedback and the simplest to maintain, but it costs the most and has an open TGA recall, updated in July 2026. The Mediana A15 sits between them on price, had no market actions on record at the time of writing, and is the only one that treats a child without a second pad set.
The matrix below maps scenarios to units. Any article that names one best AED for every workplace is selling something.
| Scenario | Recommended | Why | What you give up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor office, adults only, one unit | Philips HS1 | Lowest price; adaptive coaching for first-timers | Indoor only; child pads extra |
| Industrial, outdoor or harsh environment | HeartSine 500P | IP56, rugged, lightest | Highest price; check stock and market action status |
| School, childcare, regular child presence | Mediana A15 | Adult-to-child switch, same pads | Lower brand recognition; five-year warranty |
| Sports club, gym, mobile or event responder | HeartSine 500P | 1.1 kg; measured CPR feedback | Pad-Pak life shorter than the A15 battery |
| Corporate or brand-conscious deployment | Philips HS1 | Widely recognised name; adaptive coaching | Indoor only |
| Multi-site operator with mixed-age public access | Mediana A15 | Same-pad child mode cuts consumables across many units | International groups may prefer Philips for consistency |
| South Australian building under the Public Access Act | Mediana A15 | Buildings of 600 square metres or more need an AED, one per 1,200 square metres; public spaces often include children 1011 | Adults-only venues may do better on the HS1's price |
Points people get wrong
The regulator does not "approve" AEDs. The TGA includes devices on the ARTG; it does not approve or endorse them. A supplier who claims regulator approval to imply endorsement is in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code 12. The correct term is "ARTG-listed".
Device class. All three units are Class III under the November 2021 reclassification. Some older ARTG entries still show the legacy Class IIb field; the legal classification is Class III 5.
An AED does not replace CPR. AEDs treat shockable rhythms only. Many arrests start in a non-shockable rhythm. Continuous CPR keeps oxygenated blood moving whether or not the unit advises a shock 3.
"Which AED is best?" is the wrong question. The right one is "which AED is best for my site, my people, my child coverage and my budget over 8 to 10 years". That is the question this article answers.
Frequently asked questions
Which AED is best for Australian workplaces?
There is no single best. For an indoor office without children, the Philips HS1 leads on price and familiarity. For schools and child-access settings, the Mediana A15 leads on child simplicity. For industrial and outdoor sites, the HeartSine 500P leads on durability and CPR feedback.
Are all AEDs sold in Australia ARTG-listed?
Any AED legally supplied in Australia must be included on the ARTG, and AEDs are Class III devices. Search the TGA's ARTG database by product or sponsor before you buy, especially for a brand you do not know 13.
How much does a workplace AED cost in Australia?
At LivCor as at October 2026, the three units here run from $1,449 (HS1 unit) to $2,319 (500P package). Owning one for 8 years typically adds $500 to $1,000 in pads and batteries, more where child pads are a separate item.
Do Australian workplaces legally need an AED?
Only in South Australia, where the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 requires AEDs in relevant non-Crown buildings with 600 square metres or more of publicly accessible floor area from 1 January 2026, at one per 1,200 square metres on commercial land 1011. Elsewhere, first aid codes of practice recommend AEDs but do not mandate them.
Which has the longest pad and battery life?
The A15 battery is rated 4 to 5 years standby, the longest here. Philips pads and battery run 2 and 4 years. The HeartSine Pad-Pak lasts 4 years from manufacture.
Do all three follow Australian Resuscitation Council protocols?
Yes. All three deliver biphasic therapy to current ILCOR-based protocols, which ANZCOR follows.
Can I use any of them on a child?
Yes, with different steps. The A15 has a switch and uses the same pads. The HS1 needs infant/child SMART Pads. The HeartSine needs a Paediatric Pad-Pak. Where children are likely, the A15's approach means one less thing to buy and track.
What maintenance does a workplace AED need?
A monthly glance at the status light, pads replaced at expiry (2 to 4 years), battery or Pad-Pak at expiry (4 to 5 years), and an annual check in line with AS/NZS 3551 14. All three self-test and alert when something is wrong.
Next steps
- Mediana A15, Philips HeartStart HS1, HeartSine samaritan PAD 500P, and the full AED range
- Brand pages: Mediana, Philips, HeartSine
- The wider decision: AED Buying Guide Australia
- By industry and state: Best Defibrillators for Australian Workplaces
- Training your team: CPR Manikin Buying Guide
Sources
- Bray J, Howell S, Ball S et al. The epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Australia and New Zealand: A binational report from Aus-ROC. Resuscitation, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35077857/
- Heart Foundation Australia. Heart of the Nation. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-of-the-nation
- ANZCOR. Guideline 7: Automated External Defibrillation in Basic Life Support. https://www.anzcor.org/home/basic-life-support/guideline-7-automated-external-defibrillation-in-basic-life-support
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Therapeutic Goods (Restricted Representations: Automated External Defibrillators) Permission 2021. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/advertising-permissions/therapeutic-goods-restricted-representations-automated-external-defibrillators-permission-2021
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Reclassifying active medical devices with therapy or diagnostic functions. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/guidance/reclassifying-active-medical-devices-therapy-diagnostic-functions
- Philips HeartStart FRx product information as reproduced on LivCor's listing (installed base figure, September 2009). https://shop.livcor.com.au/products/philips-heartstart-frx-aed-unit-only
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. HeartStart Automated External Defibrillators (AED) market action. https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/recalls-and-other-market-actions/market-actions/heartstart-automated-external-defibrillators-aed
- Stryker. HeartSine product notices. https://www.stryker.com/us/en/emergency-care/product-notices/heartsine/
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Product correction: HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P, 360P, 500P. https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/recalls-and-other-market-actions/market-actions/product-correction-heartsine-samaritan-public-access-defibrillators-pad-350p-360p-500p
- Government of South Australia. Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022. https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au
- SA Health. AED requirements for public buildings and facilities. https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. https://www.tga.gov.au/products/regulations-all-products/advertising
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. ARTG public search. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/artg
- Standards Australia. AS/NZS 3551: Management programs for medical equipment. https://www.standards.org.au
- LivCor product listings for the Mediana A15, Philips HeartStart HS1 and HeartSine samaritan PAD 500P, specifications and prices as at October 2026. https://shop.livcor.com.au/collections/aeds
About the author
John Haines founded LivCor (APL Group) in 1988 and has supplied defibrillators, CPR manikins and first aid equipment to Australian workplaces and training organisations for more than 35 years. Before that he spent 18 years with Ambulance Service Victoria, including 11 years as a MICA Flight Paramedic. He is the author of the Emergency First Aid and Advanced First Aid Guide series, with more than two million copies sold, conceived the HAINES recovery position in 1989, served as Deputy Chairman of the Australian Resuscitation Council (NSW Branch), and is a founding member and past President of the First Aid Industry Alliance. He holds the National Medal and a Commendation for Bravery. Connect on LinkedIn | More about John
Medical disclaimer
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. It should not replace formal training in CPR and AED use, nor the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. In a medical emergency, call 000 immediately. LivCor strongly recommends that anyone responsible for first aid response in a workplace, community or home setting complete accredited CPR and AED training through a recognised training provider.
Commercial disclosure for this article
LivCor sells all three AED brands compared here and is an authorised Australian dealer for Mediana AEDs. Because of that interest, the criteria are explicit and weighted, every unit is assessed on the same data, and recommendations are made by use case. Where Mediana is recommended, the reason is stated and specific. This article was written and clinically reviewed by John Haines and checked against the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code and Australian Consumer Law before publication.
Changelog
- 11 October 2026 (v2.0): Rewritten for publication. Author attribution to John Haines; Mediana model fixed as the A15 LivCor sells; prices updated to October 2026; HeartSine recommendations limited to the stocked 500P; market action wording corrected to TGA records as at October 2026.
- 14 May 2026 (v1.0): Initial draft.