Disaster support and recovery
Put our capabilities and assets to work on your behalf, and together we can help people manage through disasters and disruptions.
Download our practical guides to help prepare and support your business, customers and the community ahead of Australia’s natural disaster season.
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.
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
When flights are grounded or roads cut off, contingency plans can help us mobilise quickly.
Our commitment to supporting communities extends to our on-the-ground partnerships. This work involves:
Access to cash, payment and identity services
In times of crisis, people may need access to cash to purchase essential items. However, if ATMs are offline and bank branches are closed, this can be challenging – especially in rural and remote areas.
With Bank@Post, customers of more than 80 banking and financial institutions, can make withdrawals and deposits and check balances at 3,500+ participating Post Offices around Australia. These financial services providers can also use Bank@Post4 to provide emergency relief payments.
Learn more about disaster support and recovery
In difficult times, human connection matters
Learn how some organisations used non-digital channels to connect with those who needed help most; and built strength within communities during COVID-19.
The role of unity in disaster recovery
Public and private organisations responded quickly to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. What can we learn from this experience to ensure greater resilience in the ‘new normal’?
Building partnerships to help build community resilience
Planning ahead can help get support quickly to where it’s needed most. Learn how partnering with Australia Post can help keep Australia strong.
Helping communities respond to and recover from disaster
Our partnership with Australian Red Cross enables us to support disaster impacted communities, drawing on our extensive national network to help make sure people receive the help they need.
1 Economic and social value of Australia Post in regional, rural and remote communities, Deloitte Access Economics, 2020
2 Terms and conditions apply
3 Creating deeper connections with all Australians, Supporting public and private service transformation, Australia Post
4 Bank@Post is an agency service provided by Australia Post on behalf of over 80 financial institutions. Bank@Post is available at participating Post Offices. Services available are cash withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. Consult your financial institution for terms and conditions of the Bank@Post service. Limits apply.
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