Know the warnings to stay safe
Warnings let you know when you need to act during an emergency.
Image
On this page, we explain the warnings levels for emergencies.
Image
An emergency:
- is a dangerous situation
- is something we don’t expect to happen
- can put our health and safety at risk.
About warnings
Image
Warnings tell people about emergencies that:
- are happening
- might happen.
Image
These warnings come from emergency services.
For example, firefighters.
Image
We use the Australia Warning System across Australia.
Image
There are 3 warnings levels:
- Advice
- Watch and Act
- Emergency Warning
Image
The 3 warnings levels will always:
- look the same
- mean the same thing.
Image
Knowing what each warning level means can help you make better decisions.
Types of emergencies
Image
Warnings give you information about different types of emergencies.
This includes:
- bushfires
Image
- storms
Image
- floods
Image
- tsunamis – very big waves that can reach land and be very dangerous
Image
- very hot weather
Image
- other weather that will cause a lot of damage.
The warning levels
Image
Each warning level tells you:
- the type of emergency
- how much danger there is
- what you should do.
1. Advice
Image
An Advice warning means:
- an emergency has started
- you are not in danger yet
- you should stay up to date with what is happening.
Image
Advice warnings are yellow.
2. Watch and Act
Image
A Watch and Act warning means:
- an emergency is getting worse
- you might be at risk
- you need to start taking action.
Image
Watch and Act warnings are orange.
3. Emergency Warning
Image
An Emergency Warning means:
- you are in danger right now
- you must take action
- waiting puts your life at risk.
Image
Emergency Warnings are red.
This is the highest warning.
Image
You can find out more about the Australian Warning System on our website.
How to get information about emergency warnings
Image
You can get information from emergency apps.
These apps can help you:
- find out what is happening
- get warnings.
Image
You can download the Hazards Near Me app to get emergency warnings and advice.
Image
The app will let you set up an area you want to get information about.
Image
The Hazards Near Me app will tell you about:
- bushfires
- floods
- tsunamis
- weather that will cause a lot of damage.
Image
You can also download the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) app.
The BOM app will share information about other types of emergencies.
Image
You can download these apps onto your phone or other device.
You can find these apps on our website.
Image
Or you can use the camera on your phone to scan the QR code.