Emergency management in Australia involves a mix of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities and risk management and relies upon an active partnership between all spheres of government, the private sector, non government organisations and the general community, including hundreds or thousands of trained volunteers.

States and Territories
Under the Australian Constitution, the primary responsibility for the protection of life and property rests with State and Territory governments as they exercise control over most of the functions which are necessary for effective disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Each of these State and Territory governments has developed counter-disaster arrangements, operates emergency service agencies and coordinates related activities through emergency/disaster management committees. These emergency service agencies rely heavily on the support of hundreds of thousands of trained volunteers who provide services such as search and rescue, firefighting and medical care.

Federal Government
The role of the Federal Government is to provide guidance and support in developing State and Territory capacity for emergency management and to provide requested assistance in the event of a major emergency when State or Territory resources are inappropriate, exhausted or unavailable. Such assistance is coordinated through Emergency Management Australia (EMA), located in the Attorney-Generals Department. While the Federal Government remains an active participant in emergency management and civil defence, its role has shifted more towards directed financial support, the development of national education and training programs, policy development and national coordination as the States and Territories have become increasingly self sufficient in responding to disasters. The Federal Government also provides specialised assessment, warning and monitoring services for meteorological and geological hazards.

Local Government, NGOs, Private Sector and Volunteers
Australia’s 750 local government authorities also play a key role due to their close links with the communities they serve. Non-government organisations (NGOs), such as Red Cross, St John Ambulance Brigade, and the Salvation Army, are an essential component in Australian disaster response relief arrangements and in supporting communities in the disaster recovery phase. As the focus of disaster mitigation strengthens, Australia’s emergency management family is expanding to further recognise the important roles played by private sector and professional institutes in developing and implementing mitigation plans and strategies.

Communities and individuals
Personal and community self-help is a critical element of Australia’s emergency management processes, especially as there may be a delay during or immediately following an emergency before the arrival of outside help. This depends upon developing a community that has: an alert, informed, aware and prepared population; an active and involved local government; and agreed, coordinated arrangements for disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Community awareness and education programs support self-help by increasing understanding of how, when and where hazards and potential disasters are likely to occur; the main problems that may result; and how to reduce and cope with their effects.