Albanese Unveils Bushfire and Responder Mental Health Package
The package funds fire danger rating, aerial firefighting and mental health support as Australia faces a high-risk season intensified by a super El Nino.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Emergency Response
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a bushfire risk management and emergency responder mental health support package at the National Emergency Management Agency in Canberra. The package follows a period of flooding in Queensland and fires in the Northern Territory.
Why it matters
The announcement responds to several extreme weather events occurring at the same time and mounting pressure on disaster response across Australia. Officials have advised that the coming summer could be very tough.
Disaster management and response spending rose 280 per cent from 2024-25 to 2025-26, the fastest growth of any area of government expenditure. The national emergency management stockpile is at record levels, though the package's total cost has not been stated.
The players
Anthony Albanese
Anthony Albanese is the Prime Minister of Australia, leading the federal government that announced the package.
Fortem
Fortem is an Australian provider of mental health services that will deliver support under the package for emergency responders.
The details
The package includes additional funding for the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, the National Bushfire Intelligence Capability and the national aerial firefighting fleet, along with support for mental health services delivered by Fortem. The government is also working with telecommunications companies to keep communications running during emergencies.
Timeline
Previous financial year (2025-26): disaster management spending rose 280 per cent.
9 November 2026: the Prime Minister announced the bushfire risk and mental health package.
Upcoming summer: officials advise it could be a very tough season.
Seasonal Patterns
The package adds funding to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, extending an existing national warning framework into a season of heightened bushfire risk. Recent flooding in Queensland and fires in the Northern Territory point to a run of extreme weather events arriving together.
Residents should monitor official fire danger ratings and warnings as the high-risk season approaches. Emergency responders experiencing stress can access the mental health support being delivered through the package.
The takeaway
Preparation is being funded before the peak of the season rather than after it. Keeping alerts, communications and responder wellbeing in place is central to how Australia meets a difficult summer.
Further reading
Explore more on Emergency Response to see how Australia is preparing for the coming high-risk season.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Perth Now.
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