Last week marked the third annual National Preparedness Summit, where leaders from all levels of government, industry and the not-for-profit sector came together to strengthen Australia’s readiness for the 2025–26 Higher Risk Weather Season (HRWS).

We hosted the two-day event to bring together over 300 crisis management, response, and recovery specialists. Their shared goal? To better understand the risks ahead and ensure communities across the country are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively. 

A national effort to prepare for what’s coming

The Summit is a key part of Australia’s National Preparedness Program, designed to equip stakeholders with the latest insights and tools to navigate the challenges of the HRWS. This year’s agenda included:

• A presentation from CALFIRE’s Chief Brandon Gunn and Chief Chris Trindade on the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires. This included lessons learned in preparedness, response and evacuation, the growing risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, followed by a panel discussion exploring the consequences of this event from an Australian perspective.
• Breakout sessions led by thought leaders, focusing on emerging themes and best practices in crisis management.
• A national exercise based on the current long-range forecast and real weather events. 

Grounded in climate science

The Summit follows the release of Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA)—a report that outlines the cascading, compounding, and concurrent risks posed by climate change. The NCRA makes it clear: no Australian community is immune, and coordinated action is essential. 

What’s been done since last season

Since the last HRWS, national preparedness efforts have included:

• Over 258 projects delivered through Rounds One and Two of the $400 million Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).
• Exercise Convergence, a national simulation bringing together stakeholders to test responses to an all-hazards crisis.
• Expansion of the National Emergency Management Stockpile, ensuring rapid deployment of specialist equipment.
• Delivery of Crisis Appreciation and Strategic Planning training across Australian Government agencies.
• Continued implementation of the revised Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (AGCMF).    

“The Summit is a vital opportunity to share critical information, build resilience, and ensure that no one is left to face disaster alone,” said Bec Hosking, Acting Assistant Coordinator-General for the National Coordination Mechanism.  

As the climate continues to change, so too must our approach to emergency management. The National Preparedness Summit is a powerful reminder that resilience is a shared responsibility—and that by working together, we can face the future with confidence.