New research from Australian Red Cross, released for EmergencyRedi Week 2026, reveals how just over 70% of Australians believe communities need to do more to work together to prepare for and recover from emergencies (72%).*
Australia Post and Australian Red Cross are delivering a disaster preparedness flyer to more than four million households in disaster-prone local government areas as part of the EmergencyRedi campaign this September.
The flyer, distributed across the country through Australia Post's trusted national network, contains practical and simple actions households can take to better prepare for emergencies before they occur.
This initiative is focused on regional Australia and aims to reach all households, especially families, with the research also highlighting the effect emergencies or disasters have on children. Almost 60% of Australians with children at home that have been in an emergency or disaster within the last 12 months, say it has had a noticeable impact on their children. Of these, parents who have children aged 5 to 10 years old were the most likely to say their child was noticeably affected.
Over a third of parents who experienced a disaster in the past 12 months talked to their children about practical steps they could take in the event of an emergency (35%), while slightly fewer talked to them about how to prepare mentally (29%), highlighting the importance of this EmergencyRedi week initiative.
Together with Australian Red Cross, Australia Post is encouraging Aussies to get prepared by completing the co-developed Disaster Quiz. Australians who complete the quiz will be in a chance to win a Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio and Power Bank with LED Torch.
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting communities impacted by disaster, Australia Post is proud to renew its partnership with Australian Red Cross for a further three years, building on seven years of impact together.
Australia Post Executive General Manager of Community, Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement, Jane Anderson, highlights how Australia Post is uniquely positioned to support regional communities with disaster preparedness and response.
"In many regional and remote communities, our facilities remain an essential connection point and our team members understand first-hand the challenges communities face when disasters strike.
"Our long-standing partnership with Australian Red Cross helps extend our commitment to supporting communities impacted by disasters. Whether it's delivering preparedness information directly to households, supporting Pillowcase Workshops that teach children what to do in an emergency, or raising funds through our Post Office network to support Australian Red Cross disaster response, we're proud to use the reach of our network to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters," Ms Anderson said.
"Preparing for disasters doesn't have to be complicated, but it does need to start before an emergency happens. Our partnership with Australia Post helps us reach more communities with simple, practical preparedness information and resources, helping people build confidence, strengthen their resilience and be better prepared for whatever comes next," Australian Red Cross Director of Recovery and Resilience, Nichola Krey said.
Together with Red Cross, Australia Post is encouraging Australians to:
- Complete the Disaster Preparedness Quiz
- Create a household emergency plan
- Pack a household emergency kit
- Start conversations with family members about the importance of being prepared.
To take the first step to preparedness, visit redcross.org.au/prepare. To support Australians impacted by disaster, donate to Australian Red Cross at participating Post Offices or online at auspost.com.au/disaster.
