New South Wales
- Fire
- NSW Rural Fire Service
- Warnings
- Hazards Near Me NSW app
- Flood and storm
- NSW SES
Farm safety
Be ready: bushfire, flood and storm
Fire, flood and storm are part of life on the land in Australia. Here's who to call, what the warnings mean, where to get official updates in your state, and a checklist for the farm.
This page is general information. In an emergency, follow the advice of emergency services and your state’s official warnings - they always come first.
Right now
Southern bushfire season is here or on its way. Your fire service sets the fire danger period for each district, so check the dates where you farm.
It’s the dry season up north, when most northern bushfires happen. The wet (and cyclone season) returns from about November.
What the warnings mean
Australia uses the same three warning levels for bushfire, flood, storm, cyclone and more.
- AdviceAn incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case things change.
- Watch and ActConditions are changing and there is a heightened level of threat. Start taking action now to protect you and your family.
- Emergency WarningYou may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.
Warnings can go straight to Emergency Warning. Don’t wait for one to act.
Fire danger ratings
The daily rating tells you how dangerous a fire would be if one started.
- ModeratePlan and prepare.
- HighBe ready to act.
- ExtremeTake action now to protect life and property.
- CatastrophicFor your survival, leave bushfire risk areas.
On a Total Fire Ban day, no fires in the open. Rules for harvesting, slashing and welding differ by state - check with your fire service.
Floods and storms
- If it’s flooded, forget it. Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater - it only takes a little moving water to wash a ute away.
- Move stock, machinery, fodder and chemicals to higher ground early.
- Electric fences, pumps and power can be dangerous after a flood. Have them checked before you switch back on.
Official updates in your state
Bookmark these and put the warnings app on your phone before you need it.
Victoria
- Fire
- Country Fire Authority (CFA)
- Warnings
- VicEmergency
- Flood and storm
- VICSES
Queensland
- Fire
- Queensland Fire Department
- Warnings
- Queensland Disaster dashboard Get Ready Queensland
- Flood and storm
- Queensland SES
Western Australia
- Fire
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
- Warnings
- Emergency WA
- Flood and storm
- DFES: storms, floods and cyclones
South Australia
- Fire
- Country Fire Service (CFS)
- Warnings
- CFS warnings and incidents
- Flood and storm
- SA SES
Tasmania
- Fire
- Tasmania Fire Service
- Warnings
- TasALERT
- Flood and storm
- Tasmania SES
Northern Territory
- Fire
- NT bushfire information
- Warnings
- SecureNT
- Flood and storm
- NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Australian Capital Territory
- Fire
- ACT Emergency Services Agency
- Warnings
- ACT ESA warnings and alerts
- Flood and storm
- ACT SES (via ESA)
Australia-wide
Farm checklist
Work through it before the season. Your ticks are saved on this device only - nothing is sent to us.
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After a fire or flood
- Only go back when emergency services say it’s safe.
- Check stock as soon as you safely can. Your vet or state agriculture department can help with injured animals and with feed and water.
- Ring your insurer early, and take photos before you clean up.
- Talk to someone. Lifeline is there 24/7 on 13 11 14, and your state agriculture department can point you to recovery help. The Farm help directory lists free financial counselling, grants and other support.
Handy for planning: the water tank & dam calculator (how long your water lasts), the feed budget calculator (hay to keep on hand) and the farming regions guide.