Unfortunately, bad things can happen when you are living in a new country or traveling abroad. Therefore, it's essential that you are familiar with the emergency services in your location. Luckily, Australia has some pretty robust emergency services systems in place, so that if something does happen, help is just a phone call away.
Different types of emergency services in Australia
The state and territory governments provide emergency services in Australia. These include police, fire, and ambulance services, as well as state emergency services (SES) and other organizations that play a public safety role, such as surf lifesavers.
Who to call in an emergency in Australia?
°Õ³ó±ðÌý is 000. This number will connect you with the emergency service you require, whether it be an ambulance, police, or the fire brigade.
Good to know:
Sometimes, emergency numbers from other regions, such as 111 or 999, are diverted to the local emergency number; however, in Australia, emergency numbers from outside the country are not diverted to emergency services.
There are, however, two secondary emergency numbers — 112 and 106. The number 112 is an international standard emergency number and is generally available on most mobile phones. And 106 connects to the text-based service for people who have a hearing or speech impairment. All calls to the emergency numbers, whether from landlines or mobile phones, are free of charge.
Ambulance services
Ambulance services are provided by state and territory governments in Australia. Ambulances are free in some parts of the country, but not others. For instance, transportation by ambulance is free for residents of Queensland and Tasmania. However, if you live in other parts of Australia, you will need private health insurance with ambulance coverage, or you'll be out of pocket for your journey to the hospital. Alternatively, you can sign up to be a member of your state ambulance service to ensure you are covered for emergency ambulance trips. It is also important to note that ambulance services are not covered by Australia's universal health insurance scheme, Medicare.
If you are a non-resident or visitor to Australia, you are not eligible for Medicare. And, in most cases, you will need to demonstrate that you have international health insurance coverage before securing a visa to enter the country. Therefore, ensure that ambulance services are part of your insurance coverage to avoid incurring hefty out-of-pocket medical costs should an emergency requiring an ambulance arise. Once you become a permanent resident, you will be entitled to Medicare benefits, and you'll also be able to swap out your international insurance for a domestic health insurance policy.
In Australia, ambulances typically transport patients to the nearest medical facility, where medical professionals determine the best treatment. The specific destination can vary depending on the nature of the emergency and the availability of treatment and free hospital beds in that location. Australia has both public hospitals and private hospitals (for those with private health insurance).
However, it is important to note that , with a lack of healthcare workers, insufficient funding, and an ageing population all contributing to pressure on services. This has resulted in , hospital closures, a shortage of beds, staff shortages, increased wait times for surgery, and escalating wait times for ambulances.
Police
Each state and territory in Australia has its own police force. Meanwhile, the investigates federal crimes nationwide and collaborates with ACT policing for crimes committed in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). If you are a victim of a crime, a witness to a crime, or there is a danger to public safety, or a car accident has occurred, you should call the police via 000. is another service that allows you to report suspicious behavior anonymously or provide information about an unsolved crime. You can also call the 24/7 Police Assistance Line on 131 444, which will connect you to your local police service for assistance in non-urgent situations.
Fire services
Bushfires and grassfires have been a common occurrence in Australia for thousands of years. Abundant dry vegetation and hot and windy weather contribute to increased fire danger, and very little of the country remains untouched by bushfires. Whether they occur naturally due to lightning strikes or through human activity, such as backburning gone wrong, an unfortunate accident, or are deliberately lit, the country's firefighters face challenging conditions during bushfire season each year. The season varies across the country and often involves massive bushfire outbreaks. Fire services work tirelessly to manage and contain fires, often with help from volunteer firefighters and emergency services from other states.
As with the police, fire services are organized at the state and territory level rather than nationwide. For example, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) has 47 fire stations in Melbourne and 38 regional stations, which are co-located with Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer brigades. They not only respond to house and structural fires and bushfires, but also to road accidents, hazardous chemical spills, complex rescues, and emergency medical calls. Fire services in Australia also conduct .
Actions that might be acceptable in your country, such as campfires and smoking, can have huge consequences in Australia, so it's a good idea to educate yourself on Australian protocol and be aware of the restrictions on so that you don't break the law and potentially cause a devastating bushfire.
State emergency services (SES)
Each state and territory has its own State Emergency Service (SES). This primarily volunteer-based organization responds to emergencies, including floods, storm damage, and missing persons searches and works alongside other emergency services such as the fire brigade or the police.
The SES helps communities prepare for disasters and assists in the clean-up as well. If you need emergency assistance during a storm or flood, calling the SES number on 132 500 will connect you to the service in your local area.
Surf lifesavers
Australia is synonymous with beach life, and swimming lessons are part of growing up. But whether you are a strong swimmer or not, it is vital that you only swim at patrolled beaches and that you swim between the flags. Water safety around rivers and swimming pools is paramount, too. Across Australia, surf lifesaving volunteers monitor beach conditions to identify dangerous rips to prevent drowning. They also rescue swimmers in distress.
According to , there was an increased number of drowning deaths during the summer of 2024-2025, which was up 5% from the year before. Drowning deaths occurred at beaches, rivers and swimming pools, with beaches making up a third of the 104 lives lost. The organization says multicultural communities are at a greater risk due to cultural differences in water safety knowledge and swimming ability, which includes international students, tourists, and overseas-born residents.
Natural disasters in Australia
Traditionally, communities in areas prone to bushfires, flooding or severe drought know when to be on alert and what to do. They are aware of the types of disasters that could affect them and the time of year they are most likely to occur. Government agencies focused on disaster preparedness and response have a wealth of resources to ensure communities are prepared and informed. If you live in disaster-prone areas, it's important to download the emergency apps for your state or territory. Those living in disaster-prone areas will have an evacuation plan in place in case of an emergency. This includes knowing the best evacuation route, preparing a bag with essential items, stocking up on canned goods and bottled water, cooking gas, candles, and batteries, and being aware of how to stay informed and updated on the situation. In the event of a disaster, you can receive updates from the television or your local radio station. You can also monitor the weather forecast around the country via the .
Useful links:
Emergency Apps
Australia:
New South Wales:
Victoria:
South Australia:
Queensland:
Tasmania:
Northern Territory:
Australian Capital Territory:
Western Australia:
What to do if you experience a medical emergency or accident in Australia
If the worst happens and you or someone you are with has an accident or requires medical assistance in Australia, the first thing to do is assess the severity of the situation. A sprained wrist requires a different response to a shattered pelvis, and in some cases, seeking immediate medical attention at an emergency department or doctor's clinic may be a better response than calling 000.
However, if it is a genuine emergency, the first thing to do is call 000. Once contact has been made, you will need to explain the situation clearly, so it is good to know your exact location. You might also need to provide identifying information and medical history. You will then be guided by the operator on how to proceed, including whether to administer first aid, move to a safer location, or wait for help. Due to the diverse range of potential emergencies and accidents, the response will vary depending on the situation.
Road accidents
Each year, . Therefore, you must be familiar with the road rules in the state or territory you are driving in. It is also vital to know what to do if you are involved in a car accident.
If you are involved in a road accident in Australia and are not trapped or severely injured, and you can still drive the car, it is essential to move it off the road to ensure everyone's safety. Then, check to see if anybody is injured and call 000 for an ambulance if someone is seriously hurt. It is important to try to stay calm and level-headed. If there is another party involved in the collision, you will need to examine the damage to both vehicles and exchange contact information with the other driver for insurance purposes.
You will also need to call the police so that there is an official record of the accident. This can later be used for insurance claims. It is vital that you then document the crash scene by taking photos with your mobile phone before contacting your car insurance company. is a valuable resource for what to do if you are involved in a car crash in Australia.
Collision with wildlife
Australia's wide-open roads and long distances between towns are the perfect recipe for road accidents due to driver fatigue. But if you are traveling at dawn or dusk, you also need to be extra vigilant about kangaroos crossing roads in search of food and colliding with your car.
In the unfortunate event that this happens, and if you are not seriously hurt, you must move your car off the road and activate your hazard lights. Check if anyone is injured, and then check the kangaroo. However, don't get too close as a stressed or wounded roo can be dangerous. If the animal is deceased and it is safe to do so, move it off the road to prevent it from posing a hazard to other cars. If it is still alive, contact the or another wildlife rescue in your state or territory, such as in NSW or in WA, for advice. You can also call the local police station.
Crime
While Australia is considered a safe country compared to other parts of the world, there has been a surge in youth crime in parts of the nation. In 2025, the latest figures revealed that crime levels in Victoria are at their highest in almost a decade. This has resulted in pressure on the Victorian government to introduce tougher bail laws after a surge in violent crime by repeat offenders. In 12 months, there were more than half a million offences committed, with aggravated home burglaries at a historic high and crime by children — aged 10 to 17 — at the highest level since electronic records started in 1993. Knife and gang-related violence has become such an issue that the government banned the sale of machetes in Victoria following an armed brawl at a prominent Melbourne shopping center.
Meanwhile, Queensland has passed laws which will see youth offenders facing harsh consequences for 33 offences including attempted murder, rape, torture, arson, and kidnapping. This follows the release of the , which revealed the common age of an offender in Queensland is 15-years-old and that between 2014 and 2024, the number of youths charged with assault and break-ins doubled, the number of juveniles charged with stealing cars jumped from 2,155 to more than 7,000 and cases of rape and attempted rape increased 92.2%.
If you are ever in a situation where your life or your property is being threatened, dial 000 straight away for the police. .
Good to know:
Ambulance services are not covered under Medicare. You will need to ensure transportation by ambulance is covered by your health insurance policy or purchase an ambulance membership in whichever state or territory you are living in to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.
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