The report on government services (RoGS) provides information on the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of government services in Australia. This report provides performance reporting for emergency services for fire and other events. It includes a summary of government expenditure in the sector. The report includes a case study on flood mitigation, prevention and preparedness efforts.

An emergency event is an event that endangers or threatens to endanger life, property or the environment, such as fires, rescues, medical emergencies and natural disasters. Emergency events require a significant and coordinated response. Emergency management services aim to:

• reduce the risk of emergency events
• reduce adverse effects from emergency events on people, communities and the environment.

The report is provided with a guide on how to find what you need in RoGS.

Key findings

• Total government expenditure for fire services and state and territory emergency services in this report was $7.4 billion in 2024–25.
• The total revenue of fire service organisations was $6.6 billion in 2024–25.
• Nationally in 2024–25, fire service organisations’ expenditure was $253 per person in the population. Annual fire service organisations’ expenditure ($6.9 billion) is higher than in 2019–20 (the year of the Australian bushfire season known as the Black Summer).
• Response times to structure fires are shorter in major cities than in remote areas.