Public health emergencies can be caused by events which impact on public health or events that can potentially overwhelm the health-system.

For example, a highly infectious disease spreading through the community, health impacts arising from emergencies (for example smoke from a major fire or waterborne diseases during a flood), and any mass casualty situations or weather-related events such as thunderstorm asthma.

Examples of significant public health emergencies include the Victoria’s thunderstorm asthma event of 21–22 November 2016, and the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2024 Review of Victoria's water safety arrangements (External link) An assessment of whether Victoria’s current water safety arrangements are helping to lower the drowning toll and deliver the Victorian Water Safety Strategy 2021–25 outcomes. The report found that overall, Victoria’s approach to drowning prevention is proactive and evidence-based, however, there are opportunities to improve the coordination of initiatives and the overall oversight of our approach to water safety. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2024 ACOSS Summer Heat Survey 2024 (External link) Heatwaves are by far the greatest cause of extreme weather-related deaths. Climate change is exacerbating the intensity and duration of hot conditions – but many homes are not built to withstand them. This report makes 10 recommendations towards cooler, healthier and more climate-resilient homes, putting people with the least at the centre of government policy and planning. Independent
2024 COVID-19 Response Inquiry Final Report (External link) An examination of the impact of the pandemic on key sectors and communities, the final report includes nine guiding recommendations that are aligned with nine pillars of a successful pandemic response. Australian Government
2024 COVID-19 response inquiry: roundtable summary – experience of First Nations people (External link) A summary of discussions which brought together key stakeholders from a range of First Nations organisations across Australia who played a key role in the COVID-19 response. Representatives shared their views on the experiences of First Nations people during the pandemic, what the Australian Government did well and what could be improved for a future crisis. Australian Government
2023 Curbing antimicrobial resistance: A technology-powered, human-driven approach to combating the ‘silent pandemic' (External link) An report outlining the challenges for Australia and the world to avoid being thrust back into a pre-antimicrobial age where simple infections are deadly and some surgeries are too risky to perform. It calls for greater national coordination and a focus on streamlining commercialisation processes for new antimicrobial resistance solutions and technologies. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
2023 Accessing formal supports in Australia: the experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse women with disabilities (External link) An exploration of challenges faced by CALD women and girls with disabilities in accessing vital support systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights barriers within health and disability sectors and provides insights and recommendations to foster equity and inclusivity. Independent
2023 Let’s talk about the weather: injuries related to extreme weather (External link) The past decade has seen increasing injuries related to extreme weather – such as heatwaves, bushfires and storms. With the exception of Tasmania, exposure to excessive natural heat was the most common cause leading to injury hospitalisation for all states and territories. The report suggests opportunities to develop weather-related injury surveillance systems.
 Australian Government
2023 Sick and tired: Casting a long shadow (Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID Infections) (External link) The primary focus of this inquiry was the national management of long COVID, with further attention being placed on additional effects of this condition including the economic and mental health impacts, potential treatment and management options, and repeated COVID infections. The report makes 9 recommendations towards better healthcare for all. Parliament of Australia
2022 Strengthening Australia's Pandemic Preparedness (External link) This report assesses a range of science and technology (S&T) areas identified as being critical to a more technology-enabled approach to pandemic preparedness against viral diseases. These S&T areas, and the recommendations listed to further enhance their impact on Australia’s pandemic preparedness, were developed through deep system-wide engagement, including contributions from over 140 experts across industry, research and government. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
2022 Review of Victoria's preparedness for major public health emergencies, including pandemics (External link) A review of Victoria's preparedness for a range of events which might have wide-ranging public health impacts, it considers six different cases to contextualise Victoria's preparedness for major public health emergencies which will test the emergency management sector’s capability and capacity to respond. Inspector-General for Emergency Management