Heat Resources

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)

For latest heatwave warnings and information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website, or call 1300 945 108 (All NSW, pre-recorded messages only).

Heatwave Warnings

Watch a short video to understand Bureau of Meteorology Heatwave Warnings.

HeatWatch app

The University of Sydney’s Heat and Health Research Incubator in collaboration with community partners have developed the HeatWatch application. The HeatWatch app enables people in the community to estimate their personalised heat health risk based on their location, age, activity level and clothing. The app also gives you easy cooling strategies, based on science. The HeatWatch app is free to use via phone, tablet, or desktop.

Beat the Heat Webpage

NSW Health has information on staying healthy during hot weather, who is most at risk from heat-related health problems, planning for hot weather and symptoms and first aid for heat-related illness.

Follow NSW Health on social media

NSW Health Translated resources

NSW Health Translated resources in English, Arabic (العربية), Chinese - Simplified (简体中文), Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文), Croatian (Hrvatski), Filipino (Wikang Tagalog), Greek (Ελληνικά), Italian (Italiano), Macedonian (Mакедонски), Spanish (Español), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt Nam)

WA Health translated resources

WA Health translated resources in Bahasa, Dinka, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish and Swahili.

Vic Health video resources

Vic Health video resources in: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Greek, Italian, Somali, Turkish, Vietnamese

Protect your lung health

During heatwaves, there may be danger to health from bushfire smoke. The Lung Foundation Australia provides advice on how to protect your lung health this bushfire season

Translated resources about bushfires

Posters on ‘Staying healthy if bushfire smoke is about’ are available in the following languages: Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Croatian, English, Farsi, Filipino, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Nepali, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese

 NGO Summer Preparedness webinar

NSW Health NGO Summer Preparedness webinar recording (December 2023). In this session for health and social NGO workers, NSW Health provide guidance on the health risks of heatwave and bushfire this summer and how people and services can prepare. The recording with transcription is available via Zoom. Passcode: w36c.@LS

Heat Smart Toolkit: A guide for building heatwave preparedness in community organisations

This Guide, prepared by Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, includes information on: - Who is at risk - Key challenges people face - Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness - Key planning considerations for organisations - A heatwave planning checklist (for all organisations) - A client welfare checklist (for home care service providers)

Coping with heatwaves and hot weather

Australian Red Cross provides practical information and resources on coping with heatwaves and hot weather.

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Toolkit

Planning using the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit for people with a disability and their support networks

Flagstaff's Ember app

Flagstaff’s EMBER app emergency planning resources for people with a disability.

Meals on Wheels ACT! Resources

Meals on Wheels ACT! Resources to support older people to plan for emergencies.

Promoting Hope and Supporting Young People's Wellbeing in a Changing Climate

The South Western Sydney Local Health District provides a video on Promoting Hope and Supporting Young People's Wellbeing in a Changing Climate.

Free mental health training and coaching

The NSW Government free training and coaching provides links to free, easy-to-do programs you can use to support mental health in your workplace.

Lifeline

Lifeline 13 11 14, is available to listen and support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Phone, SMS and online chat is available.

how to prepare pets and livestock for an emergency

The NSW Government provides advice on how to prepare pets and livestock for an emergency.

Keeping pet safe during summer

The Animal Welfare League NSW provides tips on keeping pet safe during summer including the Summer Safe Pet Tips factsheet.

Keeping pets safe from heat stress

RSPCA NSW provides information on keeping pets safe from heat stress.

Caring for animals during extreme heat

NSW Local Land Services provides information on caring for animals during extreme heat.

Some local councils provide Cool Places for community members during heatwaves.

Check with your local Council to find out about any Cool Places in your area.

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) helps people having trouble paying their energy bill because of a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency. Apply online via Service NSW or in person through your nearest EAPA Scheme Provider.

Energy rebates

Service NSW also provides information on other energy rebates, including Seniors and Medical Energy rebates.

No Interest Loans Scheme

The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) offers safe and affordable access to credit to people on low incomes in NSW. The scheme provides up to $2000 dollars for essential goods and services over 2 years.

National Debt Helpline 

The National Debt Helpline  provides free assistance to those in financial difficulty. Call 1800 007 007, 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Call, or visit the National Debt Helpline website to find a Financial Counsellor near you.

Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW

For assistance with complaints about your energy provider, contact the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), 1800 246 545.

Customer hardship policies

For households struggling to pay energy bills, contact your energy provider to find out more about their Hardship Policy.

Grants and funding programs

Find a government initiative, grant or funding program to help support your business, project or your community here. 

Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal

The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal offer grants to support regional community programs and initiatives.

Local community services and organisations are at the forefront of crisis support.

Search for your local services using Infoxchange Service Seeker or Ask Izzy  to find out what local services are doing in your area.

My Community Directory

My Community Directory provides online health and community information for locations throughout NSW.

Guides and a Workbook for community-based organisations

NCOSS and the NSW Mental Health Commission have produced Guides and a Workbook for community-based organisations identify the roles they contribute to disaster recovery and resilience in their community.

ACOSS Resilient Community Organisations website

A toolkit developed by and for the community sector to help organisations measure and improve their resilience to disasters and emergencies.