Why Every Supported and Disability Accommodation Home in Australia Needs a Disaster Preparedness Emergency Kit
Across Australia, supported residential homes, disability accommodation, and NDIS-funded housing play a vital role in keeping vulnerable people safe. Residents often rely on support workers, structured routines, and accessible environments - all of which can be disrupted instantly during an emergency.
For providers, disaster preparedness is not optional. It is a core responsibility under the NDIS Practice Standards, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) laws, and general duty of care obligations.
One of the most critical - and often overlooked - elements of preparedness is ensuring every supported residential home has an appropriate disaster preparedness Emergency Kit.
Why Disaster Preparedness Is Critical in Supported Disability Accommodation
People living in supported or accessible accommodation may:
Have limited mobility or sensory impairments
Require medical or assistive equipment
Rely on carers for communication or decision-making
Be unable to self-evacuate quickly
During emergencies such as bushfires, floods, storms, heatwaves, or extended power outages, these risks are significantly amplified.
An emergency kit tailored for disability accommodation can mean the difference between:
Safe shelter-in-place vs forced evacuation
Calm, supported response vs distress and confusion
Continuity of care vs critical service breakdown
Legal and Compliance Obligations for NDIS & Supported Accommodation Providers
NDIS Practice Standards
Under the NDIS Practice Standards, providers must:
Identify and manage risks to participants
Ensure continuity of supports during emergencies
Have documented emergency and disaster management plans
An emergency kit is a practical, auditable component of these obligations.
Occupational Health & Safety Laws
Providers also have a legal duty to:
Protect residents, staff, and visitors
Minimise foreseeable risks
Provide appropriate safety equipment
Failing to prepare for emergencies may expose providers to regulatory action, insurance issues, and serious reputational damage.
What Should an Emergency Kit for Supported Residential Homes Include?
An effective Emergency Kit for disability accommodation should be:
Accessible
Clearly labelled
Easy to open and use
Located where staff and residents can quickly access it
Appropriately Stocked
Drinking water
Non-perishable food
First-aid supplies
Torches and emergency lighting
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Power banks for phones and essential devices
Suitable for Extended Incidents
Many disability accommodation settings must be prepared to shelter in place for longer periods, especially when evacuation is unsafe or delayed.
Emergency Preparedness Beyond the Kit
Clear Emergency Procedures
Every supported residence should have:
Written emergency response plans
Evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures
Roles and responsibilities for staff
Communication Planning
Backup communication methods if power or internet fails
Emergency contact lists
Clear instructions for support workers
Training & Familiarity
Staff should know the kit location and contents
Regular drills and reviews
Checks on expiry dates and equipment functionality
The Consequences of Being Unprepared
For supported and disability accommodation providers, lack of preparedness can result in:
Increased risk of harm to residents
Failure to meet NDIS compliance requirements
Staff uncertainty during emergencies
Poor outcomes during audits or incident reviews
Loss of trust from families and funding bodies
Emergency kits are one of the simplest and most cost-effective risk controls available.
Emergency Kits Designed for Supported & Disability Accommodation Providers
At Resilient Australians, we design disaster preparedness emergency kits specifically for supported residential homes and NDIS-funded accommodation.
Our kits are:
Designed for Australian emergency conditions
Suitable for shared residential settings
Cost-effective for multi-site providers
Easy to maintain and audit
Importantly, we separate emergency instructions and guidance from the core kit contents, reducing:
Unnecessary replacement costs
Damage or tampering
Ongoing maintenance burden
This approach allows providers to:
Keep emergency kits accessible to residents
Maintain compliance
Protect both safety and operational budgets
Preparedness Is Part of Quality Care
Emergency preparedness is not just a compliance requirement - it is a fundamental part of quality, person-centred care.
By ensuring every supported residential home has a well-maintained disaster preparedness emergency kit, providers demonstrate:
Respect for participant safety
Professional risk management
Commitment to continuity of care
Prepared homes protect the people who rely on them most.
Explore Resilient Australians Emergency Kits for Supported and Disability Accommodation and ensure your services are ready when it matters most.