Urgent help & essential numbers
Know which number to call, and when to use a non-emergency service.
For an immediate or life-threatening emergency, call 000. Ask for Police, Fire or Ambulance, give your exact location and follow the call-taker’s instructions. Do not delay an emergency call to browse this directory.
Emergency response
Triple Zero (000)
000 — Police, Fire, AmbulancePrimary emergency number for Police, Fire or Ambulance; calls are free.
Important: Use for emergencies only. A mobile cannot reach the Emergency Call Service where there is no coverage from any mobile network.
NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES)
132 500 — NSW SES (flood, storm or tsunami)Emergency assistance for flood, storm or tsunami, including storm/wind/fallen-tree damage. Requests are prioritised.
Important: If anyone is trapped or injured, call 000. The online contact form is not monitored for storm/flood emergencies; call 132 500.
Police assistance and health advice
These are not substitutes for emergency response. If someone is seriously ill or injured, or a crime is happening now, call 000.
Police Assistance Line
131 444 — Police Assistance Line (non-urgent)Non-urgent police assistance, minor-crime reporting and general enquiries.
Important: For emergencies or a crime in progress, call 000 instead.
Poisons Information Centre
13 11 26Expert phone advice for suspected exposure to poisons, including medicines, chemicals, cleaning products, bites and stings.
Hours: 24/7
Important: Call promptly; do not wait for symptoms. If someone has stopped breathing or collapsed, call 000 for an ambulance.
healthdirect helpline
1800 022 222Health advice from a registered nurse for any health concern.
Hours: 24/7
Important: For urgent medical help, call 000.
If a voice call is not accessible
Accessible emergency calls and relay options explains 106 and links to the National Relay Service. 106 is for TTY/TDD emergency calls, not ordinary SMS.
Crisis support
For emotional distress, mental-health support or family/sexual violence support, see crisis and personal safety. If someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 000.
Other states and territories
In an emergency anywhere in Australia, call 000. These are each state’s own services; check the official page before calling.
- VIC — State emergency service: Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) — 132 500 — VICSES flood and storm help
- VIC — Police assistance (non-emergency): Victoria Police Assistance Line — 131 444 — Victoria Police Assistance Line
- QLD — State emergency service: Queensland State Emergency Service (Queensland SES) — 132 500 — Queensland SES
- QLD — Police assistance (non-emergency): Policelink (Queensland Police non-urgent reporting and enquiries) — 131 444 — Policelink
- WA — State emergency service: WA State Emergency Service (SES) emergency assistance (DFES) — 132 500 — SES emergency assistance
- WA — Police assistance (non-emergency): WA Police Force — Contact WA Police (131 444) — 131 444 — WA Police non-emergency
- SA — State emergency service: South Australian State Emergency Service (SA SES) — 132 500 — SA SES
- TAS — State emergency service: Tasmania State Emergency Service (Tasmania SES) — 132 500 — Tasmania SES (flood, storm, tsunami)
- TAS — Police assistance (non-emergency): Tasmania Police: Police Assistance Line — 131 444 — Tasmania Police Assistance Line
- ACT — State emergency service: ACT State Emergency Service (ACT SES) — 132 500 — ACT SES storm and flood assistance
- ACT — Police assistance (non-emergency): ACT Policing: Police Assistance Line — 131 444 — ACT Policing Police Assistance Line
- NT — State emergency service: NT Emergency Service (NTES) — 132 500 — NTES (floods, storms, cyclones)
- NT — Police assistance (non-emergency): NT Police Force: police contacts — 131 444 — NT Police (non-emergency)