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Australia·Natural disasters

Australia natural hazards and disaster risk

Earthquakes, storms, volcanoes, floods, and wildfires. Combines the disaster sub-score with the active event feed from USGS, NOAA, NHC, JMA, GVP, and regional agencies. The Field Manual covers the response protocols.

Disaster sub-score
0Extreme risk
Overall Safe Trip Score 77

Recent signals

  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 21/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 22/05/2026.
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    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 21/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 25/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 21/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 25/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 21/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 23/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 21/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 25/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 20/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 24/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 20/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 22/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS1w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 19/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 21/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • floodGDACS2w ago
    Green flood alert in Australia
    On 18/05/2026, a flood started in Australia, lasting until 20/05/2026 (last update). The flood caused 0 deaths and 48 displaced .
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 18/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 24/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 16/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 25/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 16/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 23/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 15/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 16/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 15/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 20/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 14/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 14/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 14/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 14/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 14/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 21/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 14/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 14/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 13/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 13/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 13/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 12/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 12/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 11/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 11/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 12/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 11/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 16/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 11/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 10/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 18/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 10/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 10/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 16/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 10/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 11/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 09/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 16/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 09/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 08/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 17/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 08/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 08/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 08/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 07/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 12/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 07/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 07/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 13/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 16/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 13/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 11/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 14/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 07/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 07/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 14/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 06/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 11/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 05/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 08/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 05/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 12/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 05/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 05/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 12/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS3w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 05/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 06/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 15/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 16/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 07/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 04/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS4w ago
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 03/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-05-02
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 02/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 08/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-05-01
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 01/05/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 07/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-30
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 30/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 09/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-30
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 30/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 05/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-30
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 30/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 05/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-29
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 29/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 04/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-25
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 25/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-25
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 25/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 10/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-23
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 23/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 04/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-22
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 22/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 04/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-22
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 22/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 04/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-22
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 22/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 05/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-20
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 20/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 05/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0
  • wildfireGDACS2026-04-20
    Green forest fire notification in Australia
    On 20/04/2026, a forest fire started in Australia, until 05/05/2026.
    Source →
    -3.0

Foreign-ministry advisories

Practical guidance

What the disaster sub-score covers

Australia’s natural-disaster sub-score is 0/100 (high band). It combines the country’s long-term hazard exposure (fault lines, tropical cyclone tracks, volcanic chains, flood basins) with the live event feed from USGS, NOAA, NHC, JMA, GVP, and regional agencies. A score drop usually means a specific recent event; baseline hazard exposure barely moves year over year. The events feed above shows what is currently active.

Seasonality matters more than the headline number

Most natural-hazard risk is seasonal. Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November (peak August to October). Pacific typhoon season is broadly May to October. Indian Ocean monsoon flooding peaks June to September in South Asia. North Atlantic storm surge weights winter months. Volcanic and seismic risk is non-seasonal but clusters geographically; a country’s baseline score factors this in, but your specific itinerary’s exposure depends on which region you visit. The country safety guide’s natural- hazards chapter breaks it down by region.

What to actually do

Three concrete steps that move you out of the “tourist who got caught in it” bucket: enrol in your government’s traveller-notification programme (STEP for US citizens, LOCATE for UK, Smartraveller subscription for AU) so embassies can reach you in a major incident; download offline maps of your destination before you arrive (Maps.me or Google Maps offline) because mobile networks fail first in most disasters; and read the relevant Field Manual response guide for the specific hazard your destination carries. How to survive an earthquake while travelling and the wildfire, flood, and hurricane equivalents are linked from the relevant country safety guides.

Related for Australia

Long-form context

Travelling safely in Australia

Australia is statistically among the safest large countries in the world for tourists. Violent crime is rare and the major cities operate at Western European safety baselines. What kills foreign visitors in Australia, in order, is water (rip currents and unfamiliar swimming conditions), heat and UV, road accidents on remote routes, and the country’s well-publicised dangerous wildlife (mostly less consequential than the reputation suggests, though box jellyfish in the tropical north genuinely earn it). This guide unpacks each, plus the bushfire and cyclone seasons that shape the regional calendar.

16 min read →

Frequently asked about Australia

What natural hazards affect Australia?

Australia's natural-disaster sub-score is 0/100. It combines long-term hazard exposure (fault lines, tropical cyclone tracks, volcanic chains, flood basins) with the live event feed from USGS, NOAA, NHC, JMA, GVP, and regional agencies. Currently active events are listed in the recent-signals feed above.

When is hurricane / typhoon season in Australia?

Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November (peak August to October). Pacific typhoon season is broadly May to October. Indian Ocean cyclone season splits between November to April (southern hemisphere) and April to December (Bay of Bengal). Australia's specific exposure window is documented in the country safety guide.

What should I do if a natural disaster happens while I am in Australia?

Three concrete steps before you go: enrol in your government's traveller-notification programme (STEP for US, LOCATE for UK, Smartraveller subscription for AU), download offline maps because mobile networks fail first in major incidents, and read the relevant Field Manual response guide (earthquake, hurricane, wildfire, flood) for the specific hazard your destination carries.