We run the Australian Government Disaster Response Plan. It shows how states and territories can get government help when disasters occur.

We also create programs, services and policies to keep Australia safe in emergencies.

Australian Government National Situation Room (NSR)

The NSR is our 24/7 crisis management facility. It:

• records domestic and international emergencies affecting Australia
• monitors hazards and dangers
• talks to emergency centres in states and territories
• coordinates government emergency aid
• runs the National Security Hotline, vital to counter-terrorism.

Some disaster responses involving the NSR:

• Tham Luang Cave Rescue (2018)
• Black Summer Bushfires (2019–2020)
• Afghanistan Repatriation (2021)
• COVID-19 Response (2021–2022)
• Eastern Australia Floods (2022).

National Coordination Mechanism (NCM)

The NCM brings together governments and organisations to manage emergencies better. It:

• defines problems
• shares situational awareness
• offers flexible, scalable support
• isn't a control mechanism; engagement is voluntary
• validates our Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning method

Reviews

Under the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework:

• the Minister for Emergency Management handles response and recovery for many hazards
• we review national disaster plans to make sure they still work.

High-risk weather

Every year, we help the nation get ready for dangerous weather. Our annual Higher Risk Weather Season program:

• alerts governments, organisations, the media and industry about high-risk weather
• includes briefings on the climate outlook
• provides updates on federal government capabilities, resources, and exercises.

Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning (CASP)

We created CASP to make sure governments can respond to crises. It:

• defines likely and most dangerous outcomes
• guides planners through a repeatable response process.

National exercises

The National Crisis Exercising and Lessons Capability (NCEC):

• defines the national crisis exercise program
• targets severe to catastrophic events.

Continuous improvement

We review:

• internal operations
• the national exercising program.

We're also creating a strategy to embed continuous improvement across our response work.

Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR)

The government started AIDR to help Australia grow stronger when disasters happen. AIDR builds disaster resilience through:

• thought leadership
• professional development
• knowledge sharing.

Australian Tsunami Warning System

We work with other groups to detect tsunami threats. We run the system alongside:

• the Bureau of Meteorology
• Geoscience Australia.

Australian Climate Service

The Australian Climate Service brings together world-leading expertise, data and information from:

• the Bureau of Meteorology
• Geoscience Australia
• CSIRO
• the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

It uses this data to:

• better understand climate change
• develop better recovery and response systems.