The National Emergency Management Stockpile (NEMS) is a critical part of how we ensure Australian communities are prepared for disasters. It allows the Australian Government to support state and territory governments in providing much needed goods and services during and after emergencies.
Goods and services ready for emergencies
On this page
Goods and services ready for emergencies
How does NEMS help Australian Communities?
Through NEMS, communities experiencing a disaster can be provided with important supplies like emergency shelters, powerful generators, sandbags and access to safe drinking water.
State and territory governments can access NEMS resources via a Request for Assistance under the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework and Australian Government Disaster Management Plan (COMDISPLAN) protocols.
“While the states and territories have primary responsibility for responding to disasters, we support them to prepare for, and respond to, nationally significant crises,” said Joe Buffone, our Deputy Coordinator-General, Emergency Management and Response.
“We contribute to saving lives, reducing harm and mitigating the consequences of disasters, maintaining public trust in the Emergency Management system.”
So far, we have taken delivery of six emergency shelter camps, capable of accommodating up to 704 community members. The shelters have off-grid capability, with their own power, water and waste-water storage. Each hut has climate control, lighting, and power. They can sleep up to four people.
We have 6 new powerful generators — ranging from 60kVA to 850 kVA. They can provide emergency power to places like hospitals, supermarkets and evacuation centres, and other community infrastructure.
We have also procured a variety of flood mitigation equipment to support flood responses, including sandbags, reusable flood barriers to protect critical infrastructure and a high-volume de-watering pump.
We also have portable and easy to operate water purification and desalination treatment systems. These can be supplied quickly to provide basic requirements for safe drinking water to remote areas.
Has NEMS been used yet?
The NEMS emergency shelter capability was deployed for the first time in January 2024. It provided shelter to Disaster Relief Australia volunteers conducting clean-up activities in Far North Queensland following ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper.
We continue to grow the Stockpile and stand ready to support Australian communities should the need arise.
How else is NEMA preparing for emergencies?
We work year-round to improve Australia’s emergency management capabilities, reduce disaster risk and support our communities.
Our focus is on mitigating risk and building back better. We also work with our partners to ensure that supports are in place to respond to and recover from disasters.
Over the past year, we have enhanced Australia’s national capabilities and resilience. This has been achieved through initiatives like:
