Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit

Supporting schools to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters

Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit (the Program) is a headspace initiative supporting schools Australia-wide to strengthen wellbeing, safety and recovery following disasters. Through a practical toolkit, training, and tailored support, schools are equipped to build resilience before, during and after disaster events.

How can the Program help

Disasters can significantly impact school communities, disrupting learning, relationships, wellbeing and a sense of safety for students, staff and families.

Schools are often one of the first places where communities reconnect following a disaster. This places school leaders and staff in a critical position to support immediate response and long‑term recovery.

Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit supports schools to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Through practical tools, targeted training and tailored support, the Program helps schools to: 

  • Plan ahead for the mental health and wellbeing impacts of disasters
  • Respond effectively using trauma-informed, safe and practical approaches
  • Support students, staff and families over time
  • Strengthen whole school resilience and community connection
  • Work in alignment with broader community resilience and recovery efforts.

 

Implementation is supported by a dedicated headspace consultant, ensuring schools receive guidance that is tailored, sustainable and responsive to their local context.

The Program includes:

  • Leadership training and staff training including Psychological First Aid and disaster response planning
  • A dedicated headspace consultant to provide ongoing, tailored support
  • Student-led projects that support young people to build resilience and contribute to preparedness
  • Access to a national partner network, connecting schools with trusted organisations and resources.

Interested in bringing Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit to your school? 

Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit will be available from Term 1 2027. Schools can register their interest now to receive further information, including how to get involved as the program becomes available. 


Register your interest in Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit by completing the form.

Register now

Frequently asked questions

Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit will be available from Term 1 2027. Schools can register their interest now to be contacted as participation opportunities become available.

Once your school registers interest, a headspace consultant will connect with you to understand your context and needs. From there, your school will be supported to access training and embed strategies into your existing wellbeing approach.

The program is available to schools across Australia and can be adapted to suit different school contexts.

The Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit is flexible. Training is delivered in short sessions, while implementation and consultant support can be integrated over time.

The Program supports both preparedness and recovery. Schools can engage before, during or after a disaster event.

The Program is designed to complement existing approaches. The Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit can be integrated into your existing emergency management, preparedness, response and recovery planning process. 

Schools are supported by a dedicated headspace consultant who provides tailored guidance and helps embed strategies into practice.

The Australian School Prepare & Care Natural Disaster Toolkit received funding from the Australian Government.