About the National Incident Centre
The NIC is the Department of Health and Aged Care’s emergency response centre. It coordinates national responses to health emergencies by organising response and recovery operations between:
- Australian Government, and state and territory government health authorities
- other Commonwealth operations centres
- the international health community.
The NIC is also responsible for undertaking the duties and responsibilities of Australia’s National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point, as designated by the International Health Regulations (2005).
Why it is important
The NIC ensures a consistent, coordinated response to health emergencies in Australia. This makes best use of our national health resources in crisis situations and minimises duplication of effort across government agencies.
Meeting our goals
The NIC manages the logistics of providing support to affected jurisdictions such as:
- distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) held by the National Medical Stockpile
- publishing information on the Health website
- providing information to help states and territories respond to the situation, including data for contact tracing and public health follow up.
We also fund the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC), based at the Royal Darwin Hospital. The NCCTRC is ready at all times to respond to national health emergencies.
When the NIC is activated
The NIC is activated by the Chief Medical Officer when we identify a significant event or emerging threat.
Emergencies that would lead to the activation of the NIC include:
- outbreaks of communicable disease, such as a pandemic
- chemical, biological or radiological incidents, whether accidental or criminal
- earthquakes or floods causing mass casualties
- emergencies requiring the deployment of Australian medical personnel.
How it works
Once activated, the NIC:
- hosts emergency meetings of the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) and other expert health committees
- provides technical advice to committees and government
- gathers information to help inform decision making
- coordinates distribution of the National Medical Stockpile
- keeps the community informed with health-related news updates
- carries out health aspects of Australian Government disaster plans
- coordinates medical response teams
- monitors and, where possible, supports laboratory capacity and capability to test for emerging communicable diseases
- liaises with emergency management sectors in other government agencies across Australia
- provides outcomes, situation reports and ministerial briefings
- conducts risk assessments and evaluations of national capacity and capability
- collaborates with other agencies on border health issues
- anticipates next steps and develops information resources to assist with planning and decision making.
Where the NIC is located
The NIC is located within Health and Aged Care’s Canberra buildings. Other strategic locations may also be used as needed.
Who is involved
While active, the NIC draws on staff from a number of areas including:
- Health and Aged Care
- the Department of Home Affairs
- the Department of Defence
- the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- state and territory health authorities.
Previous activations
The NIC has been activated in response to many emergencies, including:
- Japanese Encephalitis Virus, 2022
- Mpox (formally known as Monkeypox), 2022
- Global COVID-19 pandemic, 2020-2023
- White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand, 2019
- National bushfire crisis, 2019
- Measles outbreak in Samoa, 2019
- Queensland and Victorian floods, 2011
- Tropical Cyclone Yasi, 2011
- Christchurch earthquake, 2011
- Pakistan floods, 2010
- Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel (SIEV) sinking Christmas Island, 2010
- Victorian bushfires, 2009
- Pandemic (H1N1) influenza or swine flu 2009
- Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel (SIEV) explosion Ashmore Reef, 2009
- Pacific tsunami, 2009
- Yogyakarta air crash, 2007
- Java earthquake, 2006
- Bali bombings, 2005
- Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004
- SARS outbreak, 2003.
Learn more
Find out more about the NIC by reading:
National Health Emergency Response Arrangements
National Health Security Agreement
Australia’s Domestic Health Response Plan for All-Hazards Incidents of National Significance (AUSHEALTHRESPLAN)
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