Disaster preparation, support, and recovery guides

Download our practical guides to help prepare and support your business, customers and the community ahead of Australia’s natural disaster season.

Disaster readiness guide for SMBs (PDF 1.3MB) Disaster support kit for Enterprise and Govt (PDF 662kB)

From bushfires, to floods, to the COVID-19 pandemic

Australians have shown a remarkable ability to unite in the face of disaster. And during times of crisis our role in local communities can make a real difference.

Our network can provide people impacted by disaster access to cash and payment services and identity services, and deliver essential supplies to the most vulnerable Australians. Together, we can help people, communities, and businesses navigate adversity, recover, and build greater resilience.

Keeping communities connected

Staying connected is vital when disasters leave Australians without access to essential goods or services. With our vast retail footprint, Post Offices are often the sole provider of delivery and financial and government services in many rural and remote communities. And, as a Deloitte study found, they are also the most trusted – behind only the local doctor and police.1 That makes us well placed to help isolated Australians in times of crisis – no matter where they are – and extend the reach of your organisation to help you meet the needs of every citizen and customer.

During the 2019-20 bushfire crisis, affected people went to their local Post Office to get information, use the internet, and even access power when electricity was out. This ensured they could get the support they needed and stay in touch with friends and family.

Access to important information

We can also provide ongoing practical assistance, such as 12 months free Mail Redirection and Mail Hold2 to ensure those affected still receive important information. Post Offices can also display critical emergency service updates and evacuation site information.

  • 63% of Australians value local services information displayed at their Post Office
  • 4,300+ Post Offices nationwide
  • 2,500+ Post Offices in rural and remote locations

Protecting health and wellbeing

One of the first challenges in a crisis is distributing essential supplies – from emergency medication to food, clothing and educational materials.

Our network has the scale and reach to deliver care packages and medical supplies to individuals; or to manage bulk storage and distribution to local service providers. For example, during the initial stages of the 2020 pandemic restrictions, we partnered with Woolworths to deliver Basics Boxes of groceries to vulnerable customers across the country. We also worked with pharmacies to get medical supplies to vulnerable Australians, and with health services to store and ship essential PPE and supplies.3