Plans and Arrangements

State and Territory authorities have a constitutional responsibility, within their boundaries, for coordinating and planning for the response to disasters and emergencies. When the total resources (government, community and commercial) of an affected State or Territory cannot reasonably cope with the needs of the situation, the State or Territory government can seek assistance from the Australian Government.

The Attorney-General is responsible for disaster-related matters. A division of the Attorney-General's Department, Emergency Management Australia (EMA) is responsible for planning and coordinating Australian Government physical assistance to the States and Territories under the Commonwealth Emergency Management Policy. Coordination of these functions is carried out from the Incident Management Facility within EMA.

The Commonwealth Government Disaster Response Plan (COMDISPLAN) provides the framework for addressing State and Territory requests for Australian Government physical assistance arising from any type of emergency.

For more information, visit Australian Government Emergency Management Plans.

Requests for assistance

State or Territory Governments may call upon the Australian Government for assistance. Each State and Territory has an authorised officer empowered to request assistance from the Australian Government.

All requests for Australian Government assistance are made to the Director General, Emergency Management Australia (DGEMA). If DGEMA agrees to the request, Ministerial approval to commit Australian Government resources is sought from the Attorney-General.