Get Ready Queensland Week launches for 2025

All Queenslanders are being urged to put their disaster preparations in place during Get Ready Queensland Week, the state's annual push to get more people planning for severe weather ahead of disaster season.

Led by Get Ready Queensland Ambassador and rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston, Get Ready Queensland promotes the simple but effective steps every household can take to reduce the impacts of disasters.

Get Ready Queensland Week 2025 was launched today at Brisbane’s Kenmore State High School and Townsville Grammar School, coinciding with the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest severe weather outlook for Queensland, and around 50 events are planned this week across the state. 

Top priority this year is getting more Queenslanders to create their own disaster plan, with the Get Ready Queensland website offering a free, easy-to-use severe weather emergency planning tool that makes the process easy.

Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd) said while we can’t predict when extreme weather will strike, we can prepare for it.

“We want every Queenslander to share QRA’s vision of creating stronger, safer, more resilient communities,” Mr Ellwood said.

“Our 3 Steps to Get Ready – know your risk, make a plan, pack a kit – are key to us building greater resilience, and in particular this year we really want more people to formalise their disaster planning.

“A plan written down is a plan that stands up. For information, tips and resources on getting ready for disaster season, visit getready.qld.gov.au.”

Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston said like success on the footy field, staying safe during severe weather is the result of good planning.

“All good sports teams have a game plan, and all good households should have a plan to Get Ready for floods, cyclones, storms and bushfires,” Mr Thurston said.

“These are easy actions for every Queenslander to make sure they are best prepared for our state’s unpredictable weather.

“Just like the latest Get Ready Queensland campaign says, ‘Weather doesn’t plan, but you can’, and there is no better time to prepare than now.”

Suncorp Executive General Manager Consumer Prevention and Protection Anna Cartwright said experience has shown how crucial it is to be prepared, plan ahead and understand your risks.

“As a major program partner of Get Ready Queensland for the past five years, we proudly join in urging Queenslanders to Get Ready ahead of disaster season,” Ms Cartwright said.

“That means reviewing your insurance, making a disaster plan with your family, including an emergency kit, and checking that your property is as resilient as possible.

"Simple things like clearing gutters, securing loose items, and knowing where to get accurate weather information can make a significant difference.”

Get Ready Queensland is a year-round, all hazards, resilience building initiative of the Queensland Government to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

Queenslanders are encouraged to use this week to prepare for the upcoming disaster season by taking the 3 Steps to Get Ready:

1. Know your risk – Everyone’s disaster risk is different. Knowing what your personal risks are will help you best prepare for severe weather and will reduce the impacts on your family and property.  
2. Make a plan – Make a household emergency plan so your family knows what to do and who to contact in times of disaster. It will give you peace of mind knowing important information is accessible and in one place.
3. Pack a kit – Grab a few extra items for an emergency kit next time you’re out shopping. Store your kit somewhere safe so you have it stocked and ready if the weather turns bad.

The Get Ready Queensland program is managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), the state’s lead agency for disaster recovery and resilience, and is strengthened by the support of major partner Suncorp.

Queenslanders can find out what they need to Get Ready for severe weather by visiting www.getready.qld.gov.au.