you.prepared

Bushfire Support: Your State-by-State Resource List

Fact Checked
Published September 23, 2024
Last Updated September 25, 2024
A state-by-state guide to bushfire support and resources

Extreme bushfires are becoming a more frequent reality worldwide, with a 2024 study finding fire behaviour worsening in several regions, including Australia.1 

For Aussie families, this means knowing where to get the right bushfire support is essential. That includes everything from information on how to best prepare your home and family to which resources you’ll need in an emergency. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the official resources for each state and territory, including phone numbers, websites, social media channels, smartphone apps and other online tools. These resources can help you stay informed and create your bushfire survival plan, so you’ll be best placed to respond effectively in a bushfire emergency. 

National emergency contacts and resources

  • Triple Zero2 – Australia’s primary emergency call service number is 000, but there are also two secondary numbers – 112 and 106.3 112 is available from most mobile phones, while 106 connects to the National Relay Service, a text-based service for Australians with a speech or hearing impairment. 
  • Emergency+4 – Developed by Australian emergency services, this smartphone app helps you call Triple Zero (000) and automatically supplies your GPS coordinates to the operator. 
  • Emergency Alert5 – This national warning system allows emergency services to send messages about potential emergencies to landlines (voicemail) and mobile phones (text). You do not have to opt-in to Emergency Alert. It uses the national telephone database, so even if you have a private number, you can receive messages. Alerts will come from +61 444 444 444, so it’s important you don’t block this number. 
  • ABC listen6 – The ABC works with emergency authorities to inform and prepare the public before, during and after emergency events.7 You may wish to find your local radio frequency, write it down, and stick it to the battery-powered radio in your bushfire emergency kit.8 You could also pre-set the frequency on your car radio or download the ABC listen app for emergency updates from your local ABC station. 
  • BOM Weather9 – This popular smartphone app provides warning alerts on severe weather events, such as elevated fire danger and heatwave conditions, happening near you.  
  • Australian Fire Danger Rating System10 – You can familiarise yourself and your family with the Fire Danger Rating System at this website. 
  • Bushfire Resilience Rating Home Self-Assessment11 – Developed by the Resilient Building Council (RBC) in association with the Australian Government, this interactive online tool can help you measure your home’s resilience and create a customised plan to make practical bushfire safety home improvements.12 
  • Disaster Recovery Payment and Allowance13 – After a bushfire, the Services Australia website can help you find out what financial support and other help may be available to you. 
  • Lifeline Support14  – You can call 13 43 57 or visit the Lifeline website to connect with mental health support and counselling services for natural disasters.
  • Register. Find. Reunite15 – During times of crisis, the Australian Red Cross launches an online registration service that helps you let family, friends and emergency services know that you are safe.16   

Official bushfire resources for your state and territory

TapHover over the hotspots below to see the bushfire resources for each state and territory.

For emergencies call triple zero 000 or use the Emergency+ App nation-wide.

Map of Australia
Fire
NT Fire and Rescue Service

Call 08 8999 3473 (fire assistance line) 
Facebook @secureNT and @NTPFES 
X @secureterritory 
Website pfes.nt.gov.au/fire-and-rescue-service 

Fire
NSW Rural Fire Service

Call 1800 679 737 (Bush Fire Information Line)
App Hazards Near Me 
Facebook NSW Rural Fire Service 
X @NSWRFS 
Website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au 

Fire
ACT Emergency Services Agency

Call 13 22 81 (Access Canberra) 
App Hazards Near Me 
Facebook ACT Emergency Services Agency 
X @ACT_ESA 
Website www.esa.act.gov.au

Fire
Queensland Fire Department

Call 13 74 68 (non-emergency calls only) 
Facebook @QldFireDepartment 
X @QldFireDept 
Website www.fire.qld.gov.au

Fire
VicEmergency

Call 1800 226 226 (VicEmergency Hotline)
App VicEmergency  
Facebook @VicEmergency 
X @VicEmergency 
Website www.emergency.vic.gov.au

Fire
SA Country Fire Service

Call 1800 362 361 (information hotline) 
App Alert SA   
Facebook @CountryFireService 
X @CFSAlerts 
Website www.cfs.sa.gov.au

Fire
WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Call 13 33 37 (emergency information line) 
App Service WA 
Facebook @DFESWA 
Website www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Fire
Tasmania Fire Service

Call 1800 000 699 (information line) 
Facebook @TasmaniaFireService and @TasALERT 
X @TasFireService 
Website www.fire.tas.gov.au

Emergency resources and contacts in the Australian Capital Territory

Bushfire contacts and resources in the ACT

Emergency alerts in the ACT

During times of major incident activity, updates are posted on the ESA’s Incidents Map.17 

If you’re using the Hazards Near Me app, you may wish to enable location services and push notifications. You can also set up a watch zone by clicking the blue ‘Create a Watch Zone’ button from the map screen to be notified about active fire incidents in your area. 

Making a bushfire survival plan in the ACT

The ESA provides a guide to creating a bushfire survival plan.18 

Emergency resources and contacts in New South Wales

Bushfire contacts and resources in NSW

Emergency alerts in NSW

During times of major incident activity, updates are posted on the NSW RFS’s Alerts and Warnings page.19 Active incidents are also listed on the Fires Near Me page.20  

If you’re using the Hazards Near Me app, you might wish to enable location services and push notifications. You can set up a watch zone by clicking the blue ‘Create a Watch Zone’ button from the map screen to be notified about active fire incidents in your area. 

Making a bushfire survival plan in NSW

The NSW RFS provides a step-by-step guide to creating a bushfire survival plan.21 

Emergency resources and contacts in the Northern Territory

Bushfire contacts and resources in the NT

Emergency alerts in the NT

NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services posts up-to-date emergency alerts and warnings on the NT Fire Incident Map.22  

Making a bushfire survival plan in the NT

SecureNT provides a guide to creating a bushfire survival plan.23 

Emergency resources and contacts in Queensland

Bushfire contacts and resources in Qld

Emergency alerts in Qld

During times of major incident activity, updates are posted on QFD’s bushfire warnings page.24 You can view and subscribe to the text-based versions of current bushfire warnings through the QFD RSS or CAP-AU feeds, which are also available on the bushfire warnings page. 

Making a bushfire survival plan in Qld

The QFD provides an interactive guide to creating a bushfire survival plan.25 

Emergency resources and contacts in South Australia

Bushfire contacts and resources in SA

Emergency Alerts in SA

During times of major incident activity, updates are posted on the CFS website’s incidents and warnings page.26 

You’ll need to set up a profile and add your watch zones in the Alert SA app in order to receive location-specific alerts when warnings are issued or incidents occur.27 

There are three simple ways to create a watch zone: 

  • Hold down on the map – drop a pin on your selected location and tap ‘Add Watch Zone’. 
  • Search from the map – tap the search button at the top of the screen, enter an address and select ‘Add Watch Zone’. 
  • In the menu – select ‘My Watch Zones’, then select ‘Add new Watch Zone’. From here, hold down on the map and select ‘Confirm’ or ‘Change Address’. 

The CFS also has an email subscription service for bushfire warnings and other important information. To sign up, visit the Country Fire Service website and enter your email address in the footer.28 

Making a bushfire survival plan in SA

The CFS provides a guide to creating a bushfire survival plan. Alternatively, you can call the Information Hotline for assistance.29 

Emergency resources and contacts in Tasmania

Bushfire contacts and resources in Tas

Emergency alerts in Tas

TasALERT provides the latest information about emergency warnings and incidents across Tasmania.30 

Making a bushfire survival plan in Tas

The TFS provides a guide to creating a bushfire survival plan.31

Emergency resources and contacts in Victoria

Bushfire contacts and resources in Vic

Emergency alerts in Vic

During times of major incident activity, updates are posted on the VicEmergency website.32 

In order to receive location-specific alerts on the VicEmergency website and app, you need to set up a profile and add your watch zones. Follow these instructions to set up a watch zone for your area.33 

Making a bushfire survival plan in Vic

The Country Fire Authority provides a guide to creating a bushfire plan.34  

Emergency resources and contacts in Western Australia

Bushfire contacts and resources in WA

Emergency alerts in WA

During times of major incident activity, updates are posted at Emergency WA.35 

You can view and subscribe to the text-based versions of current bushfire warnings through the QFES RSS or CAP-AU feed, which is also available on the Emergency WA website.36 

If you’re using the ServiceWA app, make sure you enable Emergency WA bushfire warning notifications and app inbox messages based on your current location.37  

Making a bushfire survival plan in WA

The DFES provides a guide to creating a bushfire survival plan.38 

How to stay bushfire ready

With so many resources available, being prepared is a matter of making the time to get your plans in place before bushfire season arrives. A good place to start is with your bushfire survival plan or by tackling some essential tasks inside and outside your house. You might also wish to download some more helpful apps while time is on your side. 

 

For more expert tips to help you get bushfire ready, visit our you.prepared emergency content hub.

 

The content in this article has been prepared based on current government and emergency services guidelines and expert advice provided at the time of publishing. This information is subject to change. Please be sure to check for the latest information and always consider your personal circumstances regarding bushfire preparedness and response.  

Where you have increased your cover or reduced your excess within 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of a flood, storm, hail or bushfire occurring, cover will be limited to the amount that was effective prior to the change. Loss, damage or legal liability caused by, resulting or arising from flood, storm, hail or bushfire during the first 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of your policy first being purchased is excluded unless certain conditions apply. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full T&Cs. 


1 Source: University of Tasmania – Extreme bushfires increasing in number and intensity, June 2024 
2 Source: Australian Government – Triple Zero  
3 Source: Australian Government – Using other emergency numbers  
4 Source: Australian Government –  Emergency+ app  
5 Source: Emergency Alert – Do Not Block +61 444 444 444  
6 Source: ABC – ABC listen app  
7 Source: Australian Government – Emergency broadcasting  
8 Source: ABC – Search for known ABC frequencies & coverage  
9 Source: Bureau of Meteorology – The BOM Weather app  
10 Source: National Council for Fire and Emergency Services – Australian Fire Danger Rating System
11 Source: Resilient Building Council –  Bushfire Resilience Rating Home Self-Assessment  
12 Source: Resilient Building Council – Free bushfire resilience rating app to help protect homes  
13 Source: Services Australia – Natural disaster  
14 Source: Lifeline – Natural disasters  
15 Source: Australian Red Cross – Register. Find. Reunite  
16 Source: Australian Red Cross – Letting others know you are safe in an emergency  
17 Source: ACT Emergency Services Agency – Incident Updates  
18 Source: ACT Emergency Services Agency – Survival Plan  
19 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – Alerts and Warnings  
20 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – Fires Near Me  
21 Source: MyFirePlan – Live bush fire ready   
22 Source: NT Government – NT Fire Incident Map  
23 Source: Secure NT – Bushfire survival plans  
24 Source: Queensland Fire Department – Current bushfire warnings and incidents  
25 Source: Queensland Fire Department – Your Bushfire Survival Plan  
26 Source: SA Country Fire Service – Incidents & warnings  
27 Source: SA Government – Alert SA  
28 Source: SA Country Fire Service – CFS 
29 Source: SA Country Fire Service – Bushfire Survival Plan 
30 Source: Tas Government – TasALERT  
31 Source: Tas Fire Service – My bushfire plan  
32 Source:  Vic Government – VicEmergency 
33 Source: VicEmergency – How do I create a watch zone?  
34 Source: Country Fire Authority – Your Bushfire Plan  
35 Source: Emergency WA – Warnings and incidents  
36 Source: Emergency WA – About this site  
37 Source: WA Government –ServiceWA app: Services and features 
38 Source: WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services – Bushfire prepare 

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