According to research from insurer Suncorp, over half of Australia’s population lack vital knowledge about bushfire dangers and behaviours, potentially putting lives and property at increased risk.
The six key findings of Suncorp’s research are:
- More than half (55%) of Australians (46% in regional locations) don’t know that rivers, creeks or roads cannot stop the path of a very intense bushfire.
- Over half (55%) of Australians don’t know that the front of the fire is the most dangerous part.
- Just over one in four (26%) Australians don’t know that embers can travel up to 40km during a very intense bushfire.
- 16% of Australians don’t know that a house can catch fire from embers well ahead of the fire front.
- Almost one third (31%) of Australians don’t know that lightning is one of the most common causes of bushfires in Australia.
- In the event of a bushfire, 42% of Australians incorrectly assume it is safe to remain at their property unless advised otherwise by emergency services.
Here’s how Australia’s bushfire knowledge compared state by state:
Question | National | NSW | VIC | TAS | QLD | SA | WA | ACT |
Didn’t know houses can catch fire from embers well ahead of the fire front. | 16% | 14% | 21% | 9% | 14% | 12% | 11% | 19% |
Didn’t know bushfire embers can travel up to 40 km during a very intense bushfire. | 26% | 23% | 24% | 32% | 28% | 25% | 30% | 38% |
Unless advised by Emergency Services, I should assume it is safe to remain at my property. | 42% | 47% | 35% | 50% | 42% | 42% | 43% | 38% |
Didn’t know the front of the fire is the most dangerous part. | 55% | 50% | 56% | 59% | 62% | 51% | 49% | 53% |
Didn’t know that lightning is one of the most common causes of bushfires in Australia. | 31% | 31% | 39% | 41% | 27% | 20% | 29% | 38% |
Didn’t know that rivers, creeks or roads cannot stop the path of a very intense bushfire. | 55% | 57% | 61% | 59% | 49% | 45% | 44% | 66% |
Source: Suncorp. The research findings were compiled through a national survey with a representative sample of 1,000 Australians aged 18+ and was conducted by Kantar in September 2022 on behalf of Suncorp Insurance.