Emergency health management
Health emergencies include disease outbreaks, natural disasters and mass casualty incidents. Find out what we’re doing to prevent, prepare for and respond to health emergencies.
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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.
Key policy
National Health Emergency Response Arrangements
These arrangements set out how the Australian health sector should respond to significant national emergencies.
Initiatives and programs
Health Protection Program
This program aims to protect the health of all Australians from threats such as communicable disease outbreaks, natural disasters, environmental hazards, acts of terrorism and other incidents that may lead to mass casualties.
Related laws
National Health Security Act 2007
This Act is supported by the National Health Security Agreement between the Australian Government and state and territory governments. The agreement sets out a framework for decision making to support a national response to health emergencies.
Our work also relates to parts of the Biosecurity Act 2015
Resources
Domestic response plan for mass casualty incidents of national consequence (AUSTRAUMAPLAN)
AUSTRAUMAPLAN is an agreed framework for how Australia will respond to events where large numbers of people are injured or killed.