Bushfire Preparedness Guide Australia — Survival Plan & Kit
Plan, prepare and act — a step-by-step bushfire safety guide for Australian households.
Prepare. Act. Survive.
Bushfires are part of life across Australia. The single most important decision is made long before a fire starts: will you leave early, or stay and defend? On Catastrophic-rated days the only safe option is to leave.
Build your plan
- Agree on a trigger to leave (e.g. when the AFDRS rating reaches Extreme).
- Choose two destinations and two routes to each.
- Identify who to call to say you've left safely.
- Plan for pets, livestock and anyone needing extra help.
Prepare your home
- Clear gutters of leaves and debris.
- Keep grass short within 20 m of the house.
- Move firewood, gas bottles and flammable items away from walls.
- Block weep holes and seal gaps with steel mesh to keep embers out.
- Have a working hose long enough to reach every part of the house.
During a bushfire
Listen to ABC local radio and your state fire agency. Drink water often, wear long sleeves and sturdy shoes, and shelter inside a solid building until the fire front passes.
Get bushfire alerts for your location
Subscribe to Tim's Severe Weather Alerts for SMS, email and push notifications when a fire danger rating or bushfire warning changes near you.
Know the AFDRS Ratings
Understand Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic days — and what action to take for each.
Write a Bushfire Survival Plan
Decide in advance: stay and defend a well-prepared property, or leave early on bad fire days. Share the plan with every member of your household.
Pack an Emergency Kit
Drinking water, woollen blankets, sturdy shoes, P2 masks, torch, battery radio, medications, important documents and pet supplies.