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Set up a plan
Natural disasters can happen at any time of year. It’s good to have a plan ready in case they do. Being prepared will give you and your family the best chance at staying safe. There are resources available to help you do this.
Australian Red Cross has information about how to prepare for emergencies on their website.
The ABC has advice on how to prepare for different disasters on their Emergency website. They also broadcast emergency information on the radio. You can find your ABC radio frequency on the ABC website.
The Department of Home Affairs has information on declared natural disasters on their Disaster Assist website.
Preparing for a natural disaster can be stressful for you and your family. There are support services available if you’re affected by a natural disaster. Read more about social work services and mental health support.
Get your information ready
There are things you can do now to get ready in case you need to claim a disaster payment from us. You can:
- create a myGov account
- link your Centrelink online account to your myGov account
- check your contact details are correct if you’ve received a payment from us before
- download the myGov app.
You’ll need a myGov account to link your Medicare and Centrelink online accounts to. If you don’t have a Medicare or Centrelink online account you’ll need to create them. You’ll need your Centrelink online account to claim a payment for a declared natural disaster.
You can use your Medicare and Centrelink online account, to update your details online, including your address and phone number.
Set up digital cards on your phone
You can use the myGov app to store government digital cards such as your Medicare card, Centrelink concession, and health care cards on your phone. You can also use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app and Express Plus Centrelink mobile app to access these digital cards. Read more about how you can set up your digital cards.
Get local information
Make sure you know where to get information about being prepared in an emergency in your state or territory. These links will take you away from our website.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT Emergency Services Agency provides resources that can help you to prepare for storms, bushfires and floods. They also have real-time updates on emergencies in the ACT.
New South Wales (NSW)
The NSW State Emergency Service has information about preparing for floods and storms.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has resources to help you prepare yourself and your home for bushfires. They also have real-time information about fires in your area.
Northern Territory (NT)
SecureNT has information to help you prepare for emergencies including heatwaves, floods, cyclones and storms. They also have information to help with bushfires and other disasters.
The NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services has information about preparing for floods, severe storms and cyclones.
Queensland (Qld)
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has information on bushfire readiness.
The Queensland Government’s Get Ready Queensland website has information to help you prepare for natural disasters.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has a map with active incidents.
South Australia (SA)
The South Australian Country Fire Service can help with information on preparing for bushfires. They also have a warnings and incidents list map.
The South Australian State Emergency Services website has information to help you plan for floods and storms. They also have a map with real-time incidents and warnings.
Tasmania (Tas)
The Tasmania Fire Service has resources to help you create a bushfire survival plan. They also have real-time information and alerts about incidents.
The Tasmanian State Emergency Service has information to help you prepare for storms and floods. They also have real-time alert map.
TasALERT has a list of announcements about current emergencies.
Victoria (Vic)
The Victorian Country Fire Authority tells you how to prepare your property in case of a fire.
The Victoria State Emergency Service website has information to help you prepare for storms and floods.
Emergency Management Victoria has an incidents and warnings map.
Western Australia (WA)
Emergency WA has information about preparing for different hazard types, including storms, cyclones and fires. They also have a warning and incidents map.