The policy has been updated effective 19 September 2025 as follows:
- Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care (ACAC) services are now included in the home-based care service-specific policy requirements section
- Revised emergency management transitional arrangements for Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Short-Term Accommodation and Assistance (STAA) services during the 2025-26 high-risk weather season
- Updated terminology to align with existing departmental plans and policies.
Funded organisations in-scope of this policy can now access and complete the online Emergency Preparedness Attestation form in the Service Agreement Module (SAM) via My Agency in the Funded Agency Channel.
Organisations must attest by 30 November 2025.
Your obligations for emergency preparedness have not changed from previous years. If you have clients or services that are in areas with an increased risk of bushfire, there are additional responsibilities, and these are specified in the policy.
The policy and accompanying resources are at Emergency management - DFFH Service Providers <providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/emergency-management>.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact empolicy@dffh.vic.gov.au.