Australian Disaster Preparedness: What Every State Recommends
By PrepMates – We’ve got ya back.
Why Disaster Preparedness Matters in Australia
Living in Australia means waking up to breathtaking beaches, vibrant bushland, and endless skies. But it also means living with some of the world’s most extreme weather events, like cyclones in the north, bushfires in the south, floods across the east, and severe storms almost anywhere.
And while the risks vary from state to state, one thing never changes: emergencies happen fast. Often there’s little time to prepare once the warnings are issued, which is why emergency agencies nationwide stress the same message "Plan now, prepare early".
Being prepared isn’t about living in fear. It’s about making sure you and your family can cope without panic if something unexpected happens.
State-by-State Emergency Preparedness Guide
Below is a quick overview of the most common natural disasters and priorities for each state and territory, along with links to official resources:
| State/Territory | Main Risks | Key Preparedness Focus | Official Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Bushfires, floods, storms | Evacuation planning, property preparation, survival kit | NSW SES |
| QLD | Cyclones, floods, bushfires | Early warnings, securing property, have emergency survival supplies ready | QLD Fire & Emergency |
| VIC | Bushfires, storms, heatwaves | Bushfire survival plans, heat safety, bushfire emergency kit | VIC SES |
| SA | Bushfires, storms, extreme heat | Home hardening, heatwave plans | SA CFS |
| WA | Bushfires, cyclones, storms | Bushfire survival kits, cyclone shelter plans | DFES WA |
| TAS | Bushfires, floods, storms | Rural property fire plans, community alerts | Tas Fire Service |
| NT | Cyclones, flooding | Cyclone kits, secure shelter locations | NT Emergency Services |
| ACT | Bushfires, storms | Bushfire safety, emergency warnings | ACT ESA |
What All States Agree On
No matter where you live, the advice is consistent:
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Have a written emergency plan
Know how you’ll leave, where you’ll go, and how you’ll get in touch with loved ones. Share the plan with everyone in your household and practise it together. Free plan HERE -
Keep a stocked emergency kit
Include survival supplies to last at least 72 hours without power, running water, or outside help. Think food, water, lighting, first aid, and essential tools. -
Stay informed
Sign up for local alerts, download relevant emergency apps, and keep a hand crank radio so you can receive updates even if the power is out.
How PrepMates Emergency Kits Tick the Boxes
We design our emergency kits in Australia for the disasters we know all too well. Every kit is carefully built to help you meet (or exceed) state and territory recommendations without the hassle of sourcing each item yourself.
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Bushfire season: The 'Crew' 4-person Emergency Kit or 'Buddy' 2-person Emergency Kit cover bushfires and are a great evacuation kits! And the soon to be launched Fire Evacuation Kit will be here just before fire season arrives so keep a eye out or sign up to our email list to be the first to know when it drops.
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Flood risk: The Flood Bucket keeps supplies dry and accessible with waterproof storage, thermal blankets, glow sticks, and hygiene items.
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Sudden Blackouts: The Blackout Bucket is your go-to for backup power, hygiene, entertainment, and communication during outages. Packed in a watertight bucket for quick, easy access when the lights go out.
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Storm season: The Ultimate Storm Bucket packs lighting, first aid, waterproof matches, and communication equipment. Everything you need for storms, floods blackouts and cyclones.
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Everyday readiness: The Crew Kit or Buddy Kit covers multiple disaster scenarios, perfect for families, singles or couples wanting one all-round solution.
Why Preparing Early Matters
If you’ve ever tried to buy supplies during a severe weather warning, you know the scene: empty shelves, long queues, and a tense atmosphere. Supermarkets run out of essentials quickly, and once supply chains are disrupted, there’s no telling how long it will take for stock to return.
Preparing now means:
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You avoid shortages when everyone else is scrambling.
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You can act calmly when warnings are issued.
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Your family has peace of mind knowing you’re ready.
A Final Word on Staying Safe
Whether you’re in the bushfire-prone hills of Victoria, the floodplains of Queensland, or the cyclone belt of the Northern Territory, one fact remains: prepared households are safer households.
Being prepared isn’t complicated. It just takes a plan, the right survival gear and supplies, and the decision to start today.
Be ready now, not when the warnings come.
Explore the full PrepMates Emergency Kit range and make your family’s safety one less thing to worry about.