Prepare your business

Preparing before an emergency can reduce disruption and make recovery easier. Your preparations should reflect your location, industry, premises and the systems, suppliers and services your business relies on.

1. Understand your risks

Identify the emergencies and disasters most likely to affect your business. These may include: 

• bushfires
• floods
• storms
• coastal erosion and landslides
• epidemics or pandemics
• droughts
• heatwaves.

Think about how these risks could affect your people, premises, equipment, data and operations. 

Learn more about managing and assessing business risks.

2. Create an emergency management plan

An emergency management plan can help you prepare for, respond to and recover from an emergency. 

Your plan does not need to be long or complicated. It should provide clear instructions that you and your team can follow when decisions need to be made quickly, including:

• key business risks
• emergency contacts
• staff responsibilities
• evacuation procedures
• communication arrangements
• business continuity and recovery actions.

To get your started, download the free Emergency management and recovery plan template.

3. Protect your business

Take practical steps before an emergency to reduce disruption:

• Review your insurance to ensure it is up-to-date and you’re covered for the risks identified earlier.
• Protect your premises to help reduce damage and support faster recovery. This can include clearing gutters, drains and down pipes, ensuring roofing and seals are in good condition, covering sensitive equipment, securing outdoor items that could become airborne, and trimming trees near structures.
• Back up important records and data such as business registration records, financial records, property deeds and customer data in a secure location (offsite or in cloud-based storage).
• Create an emergency kit that includes hard copies of key documents and essential supplies such as a first aid kit, torch, spare batteries, plastic bags, portable radio, fresh water, and non-perishable food.
• Prepare a list of key contacts inside and outside of the business.
• Plan for managing short-term phone and internet outages as well as financial obligations, this could include identifying alternative premises, suppliers or ways of operating.

4. Train your employees and test your plan

Make sure employees know:

• what to do in an emergency
• how to evacuate safely
• who to contact
• how you will communicate with them.

Review and test your emergency plan regularly, and remember to update it when your employees, premises, systems, suppliers or business operations change.

Respond during an emergency

Having a clear plan can help you act quickly and confidently during an emergency. Put safety first, follow advice from emergency services and keep employees, customers and suppliers informed.

1. Prioritise safety

The safety of you, your employees and your customers comes first. Follow instructions from emergency services and do not enter or return to affected premises until authorities advise that it is safe.

Reach out for support or loved ones if you need to and check in on your employees to see how they have been affected.

2. Communicate clearly

Keep employees, customers and suppliers informed about changes that affect them, such as:

• business closures or disruptions
• changes to order fulfilment, services or deliveries
• alternative ways to contact your business
• expected reopening timeframes, if known. 

Use the communication channels your audience is most likely to see, such as your website, social media accounts, email or recorded phone message.

3. Document damage and costs

When it is safe to do so:

• photograph or record damage
• keep receipts and evidence of expenses
• list damaged or lost stock, equipment and property
• keep copies of relevant correspondence.

You may need these records when making an insurance claim or applying for financial assistance.

Recover your business

Once the immediate danger has passed, you can start taking steps to get your business operating again. Contact your insurer, check what support is available and prioritise the activities your business needs to recover.

1. Contact your insurer

Contact your insurer or insurance broker as soon as possible. Ask what information you need to provide and what you should do before cleaning, removing or repairing damaged property. 

Keep records of your claims, correspondence, expenses and reference numbers.

See the Insurance Council of Australia’s Frequently asked Questions about insurance after a disaster

2. Check what support is available

Government assistance, community recovery services or financial support may become available following an emergency or disaster.

• View the Fair Work Ombudsman’s webpage about employment entitlements during natural disasters and emergencies.
• Check the National Emergency Management Agency website and relevant state or territory government websites for recovery information and assistance.
• Find out how your bank may be able to help you through the Australian Banking Association’s (ABA) financial difficulty hub.
• ASIC offer Emergencies and natural disaster relief for fees and/or lodging documents.
• The ATO also offer a range of natural disaster support, depending on the situation. Your accountant may know about tax adjustments for your next BAS and tax return.
• If you have a landlord, ask them about rent relief and timeframes for repairs.
• Read Beyond Blue’s advice about Natural disasters and your mental health. 

3. Restore operations

When it is safe and practical to do so:

• Work out what records you can recover and organise replacements for those lost.
• Arrange temporary premises or alternative operating options including temporary accommodation, working from home, leasing premises, or relocating.
• Keep customers up to date with order fulfilment and operational plans.
• If needed, engage your supplier(s) to see if you can postpone outstanding orders, accept delayed payments terms and/or how quickly they can supply what you need to start business operations.
• Review your short-term cash flow and financial commitments.
• Prioritise the products and services your customers need most.

4. Review and update your plan

After recovery, review what worked well and identify improvements to strengthen your business's preparedness for future emergencies.

Take note of:

• what worked well
• where delays or problems occurred
• what information, equipment or support was missing
• what should change before the next emergency.

Update your emergency plan and share any changes with your employees.

5. Look after yourself and your team

Recovering from a disaster can be challenging. Check in with employees, seek support if needed, and make wellbeing part of your recovery planning. 

Information and mental health support are available through Beyond Blue.