Emergency health management

Emergency health management in Australia

In Australia, state and territory health authorities manage health emergencies.

We get involved when health emergencies have a national or international impact.

When national health emergencies happen, it’s important to have a coordinated approach to:

• consistent and appropriate responses between states and territories
• manage the extra load on our health system
• reduce the effect on Australians

We need to be prepared for a range of health emergencies including:

• communicable disease outbreaks — such as an influenza pandemic, measles or bird flu
• the health effects of natural disasters — such as floods, bushfires and cyclones
• acts of terrorism — such as bombings, shootings or bioterrorism
• mass casualty incidents — such as plane and train crashes

What we’re doing about emergency health management

We work to prevent, prepare for and respond to national health emergencies.

Our work includes:

• implementing the International Health Regulations (2005) in Australia
• developing and maintaining national health emergency response plans
• activating the National Incident Room to coordinate national responses to health emergencies
• maintaining a National Medical Stockpile of essential medicines and equipment
• administering the human health elements of the Biosecurity Act 2015
• maintaining the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) capability through the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre
• educating health professionals with advice and resources in response to emerging incidents

We also support health protection committees responsible for health emergency management, including the:

• Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
• National Health Emergency Management Subcommittee
• Communicable Diseases Network Australia
• Public Health Laboratory Network

The Department of Home Affairs leads the Australian Government’s planning and responses to disasters and emergencies. We’re responsible for the health aspects of these national plans.