Short answer. Australia has no network of public blast or fallout shelters. Last-resort places exist only for specific natural hazards: public cyclone shelters in Queensland, opened by the local council and announced on ABC local radio, and bushfire Neighbourhood Safer Places in New South Wales, shown on an NSW Rural Fire Service map 123.
Does Australia have public nuclear or civil-defence shelters?
No. The official sources consulted describe no civil-defence shelter network. What exists is hazard-specific: shelters for cyclones in Queensland and safer places for bushfires in NSW 123. In other emergencies, follow the instructions of your state or territory authorities, broadcast through the warning systems described on our Australia alerts page.
What are Queensland's public cyclone shelters?
Queensland has 10 public cyclone shelters built in 2011 with a donation from Abu Dhabi, and the Department of Housing and Public Works keeps a register of all shelters; the total is not published on the page consulted 2. When a cyclone threatens, shelters are opened by the local council and the opening is announced on ABC local radio 1.
The Queensland Government is clear that these are not a first choice: "Consider a cyclone shelter only as a last resort—cyclone shelters have very basic facilities and are intended as short-term shelter." 12
To find your nearest cyclone shelter, contact your local council 1.
What are Neighbourhood Safer Places in NSW?
In New South Wales, the Rural Fire Service designates bushfire Neighbourhood Safer Places and shows them on an interactive map 3. They are places to go when bushfire threatens; check the NSW RFS map for the one nearest you before the fire season.
How do I find a shelter or safer place near me?
| Where | Hazard | How to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | Cyclone | Ask your local council; openings announced on ABC local radio 1 |
| New South Wales | Bushfire | NSW RFS Neighbourhood Safer Places map 3 |
| Elsewhere | Any | Follow your state or territory emergency service and warnings |
What should I do if there is no shelter nearby?
Plan ahead with your household: decide when you would leave and where you would go, and keep supplies for at least three days at home (see Australia emergency supplies). Our general guides explain when to shelter in place or evacuate, sheltering in place during a chemical release and protecting your lungs from wildfire smoke.
Frequently asked questions
Are there fallout shelters in Australia?
No public blast or fallout shelter network is described in official sources. Only last-resort shelters for cyclones and bushfires exist 13.
How many public cyclone shelters are there in Queensland?
Ten were built in 2011 with a donation from Abu Dhabi; a register of all shelters is kept by the Department of Housing and Public Works, but its total is not published on the page consulted 2.
Who opens a cyclone shelter?
The local council, and the opening is announced on ABC local radio 1.
Should a cyclone shelter be my plan A?
No. The Queensland Government says to consider one only as a last resort, as facilities are very basic and meant for short-term stays 12.
Sources
- Queensland Government — Cyclones and severe storms — https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/cyclone-severe-storm (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Business Queensland (Queensland Government) — Cyclone shelter design and maintenance — https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/building-property-development/building-construction/natural-disasters/cyclone-shelters (accessed 2026-10-20)
- NSW Rural Fire Service — Neighbourhood Safer Places — https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/neighbourhood-safer-places (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Australia, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Queensland Government · Cyclones and severe storms checked 2026-10-20
- Business Queensland (Queensland Government) · Cyclone shelter design and maintenance checked 2026-10-20
- NSW Rural Fire Service · Neighbourhood Safer Places checked 2026-10-20