A range of preparedness activities are underway as the Bureau of Meteorology releases its Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS) Outlook.
While severe weather can occur at any time of the year, October to April is the peak time for flooding, tropical cyclones, heatwaves, bushfires and severe thunderstorms.
This year's outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology shows:
- An increased risk of bushfire during spring in parts of Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria, with the official summer 2025-26 bushfire outlook to be issued in November.
- An increased risk of extreme heat in far northern Australia during spring and early summer. The risk of extreme heat will extend further south during summer and early autumn.
- An increased risk of marine heat in the Coral and Tasman seas during summer 2025-26.
- Rainfall is likely to be above average across much of central and eastern Australia for the remainder of 2025.
- Both daytime and overnight temperatures are likely to be above average almost nationwide.
- Over the spring period, the higher chance of above average rainfall in the east is consistent with a negative Indian dipole and a likely weak La Niña.
- Ocean temperatures are likely to remain warmer than average in the Australian region, following record temperatures in August 2025.
- An increased risk of flooding in broad areas of eastern Australia, in particular northern and eastern NSW and south-eastern Queensland.
Last week, the third annual National Preparedness Summit was held in Canberra, providing information to stakeholders on what they can expect over the HRWS and testing their preparedness to respond.
The Albanese Government has also been collaborating with state and territory governments to invest about $400 million in more than 350 projects through Rounds One and Two of the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund (DRF), with Round Three to be announced soon.
Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the Albanese Government was working with states and territories to improve disaster management arrangements so there is a strategic shift towards disaster risk reduction and resilience to reduce the impact of disasters on our communities.
"The National Climate Risk Assessment released last week highlights the need to take action if we want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on our communities," said Minister McBain.
"In 2024-25 Australia experienced 70 declared disaster events under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. It's clear that climate change is causing severe weather events to become more frequent and intense, and we need to rise to the challenges that this will bring.
"That's why the Albanese Labor Government is taking action ahead of this year's Higher Risk Weather Season.
"Investing in disaster risk reduction is not only essential for community safety - it is fiscally responsible. Each dollar invested in risk reduction initiatives in Australia is estimated to save $7, including recovery costs.
"Australians can have confidence that the Albanese Government is looking for opportunities to better protect communities from more complex, frequent and catastrophic disasters.
"While we cannot stop severe weather events from happening, we can all together prepare and be ready so that when they do occur, we limit their impact."
Actions to improve the way Australia prepares for the Higher Risk Weather Season include:
- Providing funding to build the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) national aerial firefighting fleet's multi-role capability.
- Continued investment in the veteran-led Disaster Relief Australia to meet the growing need for boots on the ground when disasters hit.
- Holding briefings to priority sectors: Aged Care, Disability, Media, Industry and Local Governments.
- Continuing to consolidate the National Emergency Management Stockpile, ensuring specialist equipment can be rapidly deployed to support states and territories when needed.
- Leading Exercise Convergence, bringing together representatives from all levels of government, industry and non-government organisations across the emergency management sector to 'war game' a hypothetical all-hazards crisis scenario.
- Delivering of Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning training across Australian government agencies.
