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Emergency Contact Numbers

Key nationwide emergency numbers, including 000 for police, fire, and ambulance services.

Sections

Primary Emergency Contact Numbers in Australia

  1. Triple Zero (000)

    • Purpose: The primary emergency number for Police, Fire, and Ambulance services.
    • Availability: Operates 24/7 across Australia.
    • How to Use: Dial 000 from any phone (landline, mobile, or payphone).
    • Languages: Translators are available for non-English speakers. Simply state your language, and an interpreter will be connected.
    • Cost: Free of charge.

  2. 112

    • Purpose: An international emergency number that works on mobile phones in Australia. It redirects to 000.
    • Availability: Useful if you are unable to connect to 000 due to network issues.

  3. 106

    • Purpose: A text-based emergency number for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment.
    • How to Use: Requires a TTY (teletypewriter) device.

Additional Emergency and Support Services

  1. State Emergency Service (SES) - 132 500

    • Purpose: For non-life-threatening emergencies such as floods, storms, or other natural disasters.
    • Availability: Operates 24/7.
    • Cost: Free of charge.

  2. Poison Information Centre - 13 11 26

    • Purpose: For advice on poisoning, bites, stings, or overdoses.
    • Availability: Operates 24/7.
    • Cost: Free of charge.

  3. Lifeline - 13 11 14

    • Purpose: A crisis support and suicide prevention hotline.
    • Availability: Operates 24/7.
    • Cost: Free of charge.

  4. Police Assistance Line - 131 444

    • Purpose: For non-urgent police matters, such as reporting minor crimes or incidents.
    • Availability: Operates 24/7.
    • Cost: Free of charge.

  5. Health Direct - 1800 022 222

    • Purpose: For non-emergency medical advice from registered nurses.
    • Availability: Operates 24/7.
    • Cost: Free of charge.

  6. National Relay Service (NRS) - 133 677

    • Purpose: For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment to access emergency services.
    • How to Use: Relay the emergency call through the NRS.

National Regulations and Procedures

  1. When to Call 000

    • Call 000 only in life-threatening or time-critical emergencies, such as:
      • Medical emergencies (e.g., heart attack, severe injury).
      • Fires (e.g., house fires, bushfires).
      • Crimes in progress (e.g., assault, robbery).

  2. What Happens When You Call 000

    • Step 1: The operator will ask, "Police, Fire, or Ambulance?"
    • Step 2: You will be connected to the relevant service.
    • Step 3: Provide your location, nature of the emergency, and any other requested details.
    • Step 4: Follow instructions from the emergency responder.

  3. Caller Location

    • Mobile phones: Emergency services can use advanced mobile location (AML) technology to pinpoint your location.
    • Landlines: Your address is automatically provided to the operator.

  4. False or Hoax Calls

    • Making false or hoax calls to emergency services is a criminal offense in Australia and can result in fines or imprisonment.

Costs Associated with Emergency Services

  1. Ambulance Services

    • Ambulance services are not free in most Australian states and territories. Costs vary depending on the state, distance traveled, and type of service provided.
    • State-specific considerations:
      • Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia: Ambulance services are chargeable unless you have private health insurance or an ambulance subscription.
      • Queensland and Tasmania: Ambulance services are free for residents.
    • Visitors and Immigrants: It is highly recommended to have travel insurance or private health insurance that covers ambulance services.

  2. Fire and Police Services

    • Generally free for emergency responses. However, false alarms (e.g., from fire alarms) may incur fees.

  3. Medical Treatment in Hospitals

    • Public hospitals provide emergency treatment free of charge to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
    • Visitors and temporary residents may incur costs unless covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement or private insurance.

Country-Specific Considerations

  1. Mobile Network Coverage

    • Remote and rural areas may have limited mobile network coverage. In such cases, you can still dial 000 or 112, as emergency calls are prioritized and can connect via any available network.

  2. Bushfire and Natural Disaster Preparedness

    • Australia is prone to bushfires, floods, and cyclones. Stay informed about local conditions through the Bureau of Meteorology (www.bom.gov.au) and download relevant apps like the "Emergency+ App" for quick access to emergency numbers and location sharing.

  3. Emergency+ App

    • A free app developed by Australian emergency services to help users contact the right service and provide their exact location to responders.

  4. Cultural Awareness

    • Emergency services in Australia are professional and highly trained. Do not hesitate to call if you are in doubt about the severity of a situation. It is better to call and be safe than to delay action.

  5. Language Support

    • Australia is a multicultural country, and emergency services are equipped to handle calls in multiple languages. Always state your preferred language when calling 000.

Key Recommendations for Visitors and Immigrants

  1. Save Emergency Numbers

    • Save 000, 112, and other relevant numbers in your phone for quick access.

  2. Get Insurance

    • Ensure you have adequate health and travel insurance that covers ambulance services and medical emergencies.

  3. Learn Your Location

    • Familiarize yourself with your surroundings, including street names and landmarks, to provide accurate information during emergencies.

  4. Download the Emergency+ App

    • This app is a valuable tool for accessing emergency services and sharing your location with responders.

  5. Stay Informed

    • Monitor local news and weather updates, especially during natural disaster seasons.

By understanding and preparing for emergencies in Australia, visitors and immigrants can ensure their safety and well-being while navigating the country.