Australian Warning System Resources
Warning your community
The Australian Warning System
The Australian Warning System (AWS) is a national approach to warnings. It includes consistent warning levels (Advice, Watch and Act, Emergency Warning), call-to-action statements, icons, and colours to achieve consistency and give people clear and targeted information about what to do to stay safe before, during and after an incident or disaster.
The system builds on existing warning frameworks and applies nationally to bushfire, flood, severe weather (storm), cyclone and extreme heat. It is designed to be adaptable and scalable to other hazards in the future.
Flood, storm and cyclone warnings in Queensland
In line with Queensland’s Disaster Management Arrangements local governments (LGs) will create, approve and issue all local AWS warnings for storm, flood and cyclone.
Importantly, support will be available through existing arrangements from the district or state to create storm, flood and cyclone warnings, upon request.
LGs and Local Disaster Management Groups are encouraged to find the best way for local AWS warnings to be delivered through their existing annual/regular planning and assessments.
There will be provision for the state to create, approve and issue warnings in critical situations. The state will also be able to issue broad warnings in consultation with LGs.
Resources and tools
The following is available to support local government to successfully implement the AWS:
- Customisable warning templates, guides and assets (e.g., icons and social media tiles) for flood, storm and cyclone available via the Disaster Management portal for local governments to use.
- Formal AWS training incorporated in the Disaster Management Training Framework.
- Community engagement activities and resources.
- A state-wide AWS advertising campaign.
Contact the AWS Project Team directly with any questions at qfes.aws@qfes.qld.gov.au (Opens in new window) (Opens in new window)