School Leaders
Contact Us

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW Ltd

Level 12 / 99 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

T: (02) 9299 2845

F: (02) 9290 2274
Teachers and Staff
Contact Us

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW Ltd

Level 12 / 99 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

T: (02) 9299 2845

F: (02) 9290 2274
Courses & Events
Newsroom
Resource Centre

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW Ltd

Level 12 / 99 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

T: (02) 9299 2845

F: (02) 9299 2845

Emergency Contacts and Support

The NSW State Emergency Service website for the latest NSW SES Warnings, up-to-date information and evacuation orders.
Hazard Watch is the official and trusted source of emergency information for incidents in New South Wales, Australia. The app shows information and warnings about bushfires and floods across NSW, using information directly from emergency services. You can set up watch zones and receive notifications about incidents in your area.
The NSW Rural Fire Service for major fire updates and fire danger ratings by NSW regions for the consequences of a fire if one was to start.

Latest Alerts:

Smartphone apps

Get updates directly to your mobile device using these apps:

Fires Near Me NSW

For information on bushfire incidents, check the NSW Rural Fire Service mobile apps.

Emergency+ smartphone app

For guidance about when to call Triple Zero and information about who to call in various non-emergency situations, check the Emergency+ smartphone app.

More bushfire information

For more bushfire updates, call the bushfire information line on 1800 679 737 or check the NSW Rural Fire Service:

You can also get information from your school, local radio, TV and newspapers or by contacting your local fire station.

Live Traffic NSW

Check Live Traffic NSW for updates on road closures and interruption to services.

Evacuation centres

Find your local evacuation centres to access a range of support services available to those affected by the fires and arrange local support.

More weather updates

For weather updates, check the Bureau of Meteorology:

Public Schools and school closure

The NSW Department of Education's decisions regarding school closures do not apply to Independent schools.

The DoE makes centralised decisions based on its Risk Assessment Protocols. You can check what the DoE has decided for schools in your area by checking the Public Schools School Safety website.

Independent school Heads can make their own decisions depending on their Risk Assessment Protocols and the needs of their parent community.

However, it is important to know that Public School closures may affect transport routes.

Bushfire smoke

With increased smoke across the state due to the current bushfires, we are focused on reducing the impact of the smoke on our students.

This includes moving outdoor activities indoors and may include cancelling outdoor events when the smoke is increased. Refer to the NSW Ministry of Health's Bushfire smoke resources for information on what you can do to avoid or reduce the impact of bushfire smoke on your health.

Wildlife and animal welfare

There has been a significant toll on native wildlife due to the bushfires. If a member of the school community finds a sick, injured or orphaned native animal, please call WIRES on 1300 094 737.

For schools that have livestock on school sites, a range of resources on managing livestock after a fire and contact information regarding water, feed and other animal recovery resources is available from the Department of Primary Industries.

Early childhood education services

The approved provider for an Early Childhood Service is responsible for deciding whether or not the service should close in response to and emergency or natural disaster. Further information about service closures and notification requirements can be found here. If you have any questions regarding the closure of an early childhood education service in your area, please contact the Early Childhood Education Directorate on 1800 619 113 or via email on ececd@det.nsw.edu.au from 7am to 7pm.

Emergency

If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or visit your nearest hospital.

Beyond Blue

1300 224 636
beyondblue.org.au

Beyond Blue provides information and support to everyone in Australia to achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

headspace

Find your nearest headspace centre

An interactive map to locate a headspace centre staffed with people who are trained and ready to help young people.

Lifeline

131 114
Lifeline

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

NSW Rural Fire Service

The NSW RFS provides information and warnings through a variety of channels including; Fires Near Me website and smart phone app and social media.

EveryMind Life in Mind

24/7 Crisis Support

Life in Mind is a national gateway connecting Australian suicide prevention services to each other and the community, They provide national crisis support numbers for individuals and communities.

Disaster Payments

Payments and services when recovering from a major disaster or emergency help for homelessness, family violence, financial hardship or bereavement.

Kids Helpline

1800 551 800
Kids Helpline Official

For children and young people directly impacted by the bushfires or those who are concerned about the disaster coverage they have seen in the media.

MensLine

1300 789978
MensLine Australia

MensLine is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.

National Bushfire Recovery Agency

Leading and coordinating a national response to rebuilding communities affected by bushfires across large parts of Australia.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is an international Christian movement supporting cities, country towns and rural communities in relation to disaster support and resources in case of emergencies.

St Vincent de Paul Society

Vinnies members are present in communities throughout Australia providing immediate emergency support for bushfires and drought.

Major Agencies and Contacts

Emerging Minds

Emerging Minds Psychological First Aid – summary factsheet for schools, families and communities immediately, in the long term and to be prepared for future emergencies.
Emerging Minds Community Trauma Toolkit – overarching advice and resources for communities to plan and respond to trauma in their own setting immediately, short-term and longer-term.
Emerging Minds Community Trauma Toolkit Summary – a factsheet to support the use and implementation of the Trauma Toolkit to support children and young people immediately, in the long term and to be prepared for future emergencies.
Emerging Minds Community Trauma Toolkit Summary – a video overview to support the use and implementation of the Trauma Toolkit to support children and young people immediately, in the long term and to be prepared for future emergencies.
Emerging Minds Trauma Toolkit - Resources for parents/carers to support children and young people immediately, in the long term and to be prepared for future emergencies.
Emerging Minds Trauma Toolkit - Resources for educators to support children and young people immediately, in the long term and to be prepared for future emergencies.
Emerging Minds Trauma Toolkit Matrix – Resources for educators to support children and young people immediately, in the long term and to be prepared for future emergencies.

Be You

Be You provides educators with knowledge, resources and strategies for helping children and young people achieve their best possible mental health.