Emergency management experts and humanitarian organizations are calling on Australians to build household emergency stockpiles, mirroring a growing international push for civilian preparedness amid rising geopolitical, cyber, and climate threats.
Governments across the globe have increasingly urged citizens to maintain private reserves. In the United Kingdom, officials advised the public to secure three days’ worth of supplies to face potential wartime disruptions, cyber-attacks, and climate emergencies. Similar guidance has been issued in Sweden, Norway, Japan, and Germany, where residents are encouraged to hold up to a week of household essentials.
Nichola Krey, the Australian Red Cross director for recovery and resilience, stated that Australians should follow suit given the country’s frequent environmental challenges. While the UK faces different security concerns, Australia confronts a heavy burden of natural hazards. According to Red Cross figures, three in five Australians will experience a major emergency in their lifetime. Krey noted that the nation is in constant disruption from floods, fires, extreme heat events, and cyclones, making community readiness vital.
Associate Professor Lucy Lunevich, a disaster management expert at RMIT University, supported the push for proactive readiness, pointing out that public education must be ongoing as conditions shift rapidly. She noted that community leaders and governments can no longer easily predict long-term trends because major disruptions now unfold overnight. When unpredictable events such as bushfires or severe flooding strike, government response teams may be overwhelmed, leaving individuals temporarily reliant on their own resources.
Lunevich recommended maintaining up to a month’s supply of food—such as tinned items like baked beans—alongside bottled water to bridge potential supply chain gaps. However, experts emphasized that preparation requires measured, long-term planning rather than frantic consumer behavior.
Krey explicitly cautioned against panic buying, recalling empty supermarket shelves during the COVID-19 pandemic. She advised residents to adopt a long-term view and gather supplies incrementally over time rather than stripping local stores.
Beyond food and water, emergency preparedness encompasses organizing personal documentation, safeguarding vital items in an easily retrievable location, and keeping prescriptions and medical supplies well-stocked. Experts also recommend that families establish clear communication plans, including discussing evacuation routes and meeting points with children.
