Bushfire risk: is your business ready?

Bushfires are unpredictable. Resilient businesses plan ahead. With the right planning and preparation, you can reduce risk, protect your team and keep your business running.

Why bushfire preparation is now a business essential

Australia’s bushfire seasons are starting earlier, lasting longer and bringing more extreme conditions, according to the CSIRO.¹

For small businesses, that means greater risk – and more reason to prepare.

Even if your premises aren’t directly affected, bushfires can still disrupt your operations – from delayed deliveries to reduced foot traffic. That’s why preparation needs to go beyond physical protection to also focus on keeping your business running.

Bushfire preparation starts with a plan

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to bushfire preparation. But businesses can strengthen their resilience by focusing on three key areas: premises, people and operations.

1. Protect your premises

Preventative maintenance is one of the first steps in getting your business bushfire-ready.

• Clear gutters and roofs of leaves and other flammable debris. If you’re not confident on a roof, hire a professional.
• Store flammable materials like petrol, paint and gas in flameproof containers, well away from buildings.
• Seal gaps in floors or roofs to stop embers from getting in.
• Upgrade windows and doors with fire-resistant materials.

2. Prepare your people

Your bushfire plan should put the safety of your people first and make sure everyone knows what to do if a fire threatens your business.

“Always put human safety first. With the right insurance, things can be replaced. Human life can’t be,” said Russell Windred, Senior Manager, Product Portfolio at QBE AUSPAC.

• Create a bushfire action plan tailored to your business. Share it with your team and review it regularly so everyone knows how to respond in an emergency.
• Check emergency exits are accessible and working properly.
• Have emergency procedures and build them into your calendar. Regular practice helps everyone know what to do and where to go in an emergency.
• Keep contact details up to date so you can reach your team quickly.

3. Protect your operations

Bushfires don’t just damage buildings; they interrupt business. Roads might close, suppliers could be affected, staff may be unavailable, and customers may not be able to reach you.

That’s why a business continuity plan is essential. It helps your business stay operational during and after any disruption.

“Every business should have a business continuity plan,” said Windred.

“Start by identifying the risks you face. Then work out what you need to do to either mitigate that risk or what you’ll do if that risk occurs.

“That way, if something does happen, you don’t have to think on your feet – you’ve already thought about it and you know what you’re going to do.”

Key questions to consider:

• If you run a physical store, could you quickly relocate or trade online?
• Do you have backup suppliers in case one is affected?
• Is your critical business data – like accounts and asset records – securely stored online for remote access? This could be a secure cloud service or another remote backup system.

Review your risks and update your insurance

Underinsurance is a common issue after bushfires and it can leave businesses exposed.

Underinsurance is when you have insurance, but not enough cover to replace everything you might lose.

“A lot of businesses and farms are affected by bushfires. Some customers may take out machinery cover of say $10,000, thinking that only one item would be stolen or damaged at any one time. But in a bushfire, they can lose everything,” Windred said.

Inflation is also a key factor.

“Many clients underestimate what it would cost to replace their property,” he said.

“With inflationary pressures over the past few years, the cost of replacing what you own has likely increased.”

Make sure you reflect today’s costs and the full scope of your assets. Don’t forget to factor in:

• Demolition and clearance costs
• Rebuilding to meet updated construction codes (based on your location’s Bushfire Attack Level)
• Cover for outbuildings, fences, essential machinery, and vehicles.

Tip: Speak with an insurance broker to make sure your cover reflects your current business needs.

Your bushfire continuity checklist

Here’s a practical checklist to help you prepare. It’s designed with small businesses like yours in mind.

• Clear debris and store flammable materials safely.
  Removing dry leaves, branches and clutter lowers the chance of a fire spreading.

• Make sure there is clear access to all external areas.
  In a bushfire, fire emergency crews will need quick access to protect your property.

• Take an inventory and store it online.
  If you need to make an insurance claim, having a digital record of your assets will speed things up.

• Create or review your business continuity plan.
  A solid plan helps you stay operational during and after a crisis.

• Check motor and machinery cover.
  Bushfires can easily damage a whole fleet of vehicles or machinery, so make sure to extend your cover beyond just the one asset.

• Update your insurance policies to reflect current replacement and rebuild costs.
  Make sure your buildings (and outbuildings, fences and gates) are covered for current rebuild costs, and include demolition and clearance costs. Ensure all land, stock, equipment and contents are covered, too.

• Consider business interruption cover.
  The time to get your business back up and running may be longer than you think. Having business interruption cover could help you get through any unforeseen disruptions.

• Create a bushfire action plan and store key documents in the cloud.
  Your state’s fire service has downloadable bushfire action plans: New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania.

• Download your state’s fire alert app and monitor weather conditions.

  Be aware of fires in your local area so you can watch and act. Download your state’s app, and turn notifications on. You should also consider keeping up-to-date with Australia’s weather patterns to be in the know when it comes to the severe conditions they can cause.

• Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

  Be prepared to leave immediately – your life is more important than any of your material assets.

Choose how you buy

Talk to a broker about QBE’s flexible Business Packages cover.

Or if you’re a small business, get a small business insurance quote direct from QBE today.

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¹ Source: Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology, State of the Climate 2024, accessed on 18 August 2025
² Source: QBE is the 2024 #1 Business Packages insurer. 2024 NIBA Report, Broker Market Survey, published on 5 December 2024