Short answer. Australian guidance plans for three days at home. Queensland's official checklist asks for a minimum of 10 litres of drinking water per person for those three days 2, and the national Get Ready kit list asks for at least 3 litres of water per person per day 1. Households in rural or remote areas, or at risk of extended isolation, should plan for more days 2.
How many days of supplies does Australia recommend?
Queensland's checklist is built around three days at home, with more days for people who live in rural or remote areas or are at risk of extended isolation 2. Its framing is practical: "These are the basics, but think about what items everyone in your house might need if you had to stay at home for three days." 2
The national Get Ready magnet, published at getready.gov.au, gives no number of days 1. It is part of the "Get ready for natural hazards" resources for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, available in 11 languages 3.
How much water should each person store?
| Guidance | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Get Ready kit list (national) | At least 3 litres per person, per day | 1 |
| Queensland "Pack a kit" | Minimum 10 litres of drinking water per person, for three days | 2 |
The two figures are consistent: three days at 3 litres a day is 9 litres, so the Queensland minimum of 10 litres covers it. For the reasoning behind daily water figures and how to store water, see How much water to store per person per day? and How do you make water safe to drink?.
What food and other supplies are on the list?
Both official lists ask for non-perishable food and a can opener; Queensland suggests a three-day menu plan for the household 12. The other items include toiletries, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, medicines and a first aid kit, a battery-operated radio, torches with spare batteries, a phone with a spare charger and a charged power pack, and copies of important documents 12. The complete list, line by line, is on our Australia kit checklist.
If you need to leave home, the Get Ready magnet adds valuables, cash and bank cards, and medicine 1.
Where should the kit be kept?
Queensland advises keeping the kit in a strong waterproof container somewhere easy to reach, away from young children, and checking it regularly for used items and expiry dates 2. Our guide on food shelf life and rotation explains how to keep stock fresh.
Do I also need a household plan?
The Get Ready resources point to the Australian Red Cross RediPlan for making a household emergency plan 34. Our family emergency plan guide covers the same ground in general terms.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an Australian emergency kit last?
Three days at home, according to Queensland's checklist, and longer if you are rural, remote or at risk of extended isolation 2.
How much water per person in Australia?
At least 3 litres per person per day on the national Get Ready list 1; Queensland asks for a minimum of 10 litres per person for three days 2.
Is there one national list?
The Get Ready magnet is used nationally for multilingual communities; states also publish their own checklists, such as Queensland's "Pack a kit" 123.
What if the power is out for days?
Both lists include a battery-operated radio, torches with spare batteries and a charged power pack 12. See also How do you prepare for a long power outage?.
Sources
- Get Ready (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), getready.gov.au — Get ready for natural hazards – What to pack in your emergency kit (magnet) — https://www.getready.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/QETH03549_QRA_CALD%20Get%20Ready_Magnet_Web_FA.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Get Ready Queensland (Queensland Government) — Pack a kit — https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/prepare/kit (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Get Ready (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), getready.gov.au — Get ready for natural hazards (English) — https://www.getready.gov.au/languages/english (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Australian Red Cross — Prepare – RediPlan — https://www.redcross.org.au/prepare/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Get Ready (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), getready.gov.au · Get ready for natural hazards – What to pack in your emergency kit (magnet) checked 2026-10-20
- Get Ready Queensland (Queensland Government) · Pack a kit checked 2026-10-20
- Get Ready (Queensland Reconstruction Authority), getready.gov.au · Get ready for natural hazards (English) checked 2026-10-20
- Australian Red Cross · Prepare – RediPlan checked 2026-10-20