Natural disasters like bushfires, floods and cyclones aren’t rare or unpredictable. They’re inevitable and should be planned and budgeted for accordingly. But currently, the federal budget only includes disaster recovery spending for events that have already happened. This paper argues that estimated future disaster costs should be included in existing budget lines.

The threat to housing in Australia from hazards such as bushfires, floods and cyclones is increasing, with replacement costs escalating. This report explores the housing policies that can improve community preparedness and responses to disasters. It presents several opportunities for policy development and practice change. Build back better approaches need to become the norm in...

Financial counselling is an identified key component of support needed to reduce risks and improve the resilience of communities experiencing natural hazards. This framework informs the financial counselling sector and the broader community on the role of financial counselling in disaster preparedness, response and recovery across Western Australia.

An inquiry into the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool, a mechanism used by the Australian Government to influence insurance availability and affordability in cyclone-prone areas of northern Australia. The report makes recommendations in relation to the ongoing monitoring of insurance premiums and measures to improve resilience and mitigation for high-risk homes, including targeted tax offsets and direct...

Housing is heavily impacted during disasters, so it's crucial that housing policy works closely with disaster risk reduction and response. This research looks at how housing policy and planning can better prepare for natural disasters, and enable recovery from them. It examines institutional arrangements, planning coordination and disaster management responses.