Sunny beach days, barefoot ice-cream trips and long days by the pool are all depictions of an iconic Aussie summer, however, a potentially harsh reality is on the cards this year.
As Australians head into summer, extreme weather is already front of mind. BOM forecasts1 indicate above average temperatures are likely across much of Australia due this year’s El Niño cycle.
So, with both daytime and nighttime temperatures very likely to be higher this year, are Australians prepared or complacent? Do they know the El Niño risks? What’s holding them back? And who’s most vulnerable?
To better understand the state of Australia’s preparedness and the gaps to be filled this summer, we surveyed more than 2,000 Australians*, revealing a nation that’s concerned but unsure about what to do.
To help Australians prepare for what’s to come, we have packed the you.prepared hub with new resources including helpful guides and advice from experts so Australians can feel more equipped for the evolving risks of severe weather events.
An El Niño snapshot from the nation
Rate of Australians surveyed who reported that they understood El Nino very well, and the rate who reported feeling 'somewhat concerned' about severe weather from El Nino.
Rate of Australians surveyed who told us they were conerned about heatwaves this upcoming summer, and also how many feel more vulnerable and unprepared.
Rate of Australians surveyed who told us they were conerned about bushfires this upcoming summer, and also how many feel more vulnerable and unprepared.
Rate of Australians surveyed who reported the have taken no planning or preparation actions for extreme weather, and the rate who reported planning or preparing felt too overwhelming.
Rate of Australians surveyed who have not discussed or made a household emergency plan, and the rate who reported that a household preparedness checklist would help them feel more prepared.
Australians know it will be a dangerous summer, but do they understand El Niño?
With La Niña forecasts prominent across conversation over recent years, Australians commonly associate extreme weather with severe storms, cyclones and flooding.
But when it comes to El Niño cycles these events become less common and risks are more likely related to drought, bushfires and periods of extreme heat – all of which come with their own set of unique challenges.
Whether it’s heatwaves that make it difficult to sleep, bushfires affecting air quality, storms damaging homes or power outages disrupting daily routines, the shift in risk should not be underestimated.
With above-average temperatures forecast this summer, the impacts on households and communities could be extreme.
In fact, almost 6 in 10 (59%) of Australians surveyed said they feel more vulnerable heading into summer than previous years, with only 5% feeling less vulnerable.
Gen Z feel it the most, with over three-quarters (76%) citing feeling more vulnerable this summer. This is followed by Millennials (66%), Gen X (56%) and Baby Boomers (46%).
When it comes to El Niño in particular, nearly three quarters (74%) of survey respondents are at least somewhat concerned about the extreme weather effects, with 38% saying they are extremely or very concerned.
Gen Z respondents are also some of the most worried with 81% feeling concerned thinking about the summer ahead, while only 66% of responding Baby Boomers feel concerned.
Local worry is real
The top weather concerns for surveyed Australians’ local areas this summer are:
- Extreme heat – 44%
- Bushfires – 37%
- Severe storms – 26%
- Power outages – 25%
- Drought – 22%
- Water shortages – 21%
Australians' concerns about the impact of extreme weather vary widely. While some are worried about rising living costs, others fear for the safety of themselves and their loved ones. At the same time, some feel relatively prepared for the challenges the season may bring.
Some Aussie's shared their El Niño concerns
The new face of summer
This year, when Australian’s think about summer risk, one threat stands out above all others – heat.
Extreme heat and heatwaves ranked as the number one concern nationally, ahead of bushfires, severe storms and flooding.
Nearly half (47%) of Australians surveyed recognise El Niño can bring on hotter daytime temperatures, as 43% are concerned about heatwaves and 39% about bushfires this summer. Although, the impact goes far beyond feeling uncomfortable from the heat.
Australians surveyed are worried about the health impacts following extended periods of heat, including dehydration (44%), heat exhaustion (41%), sleep disruption (40%) and heat stroke (32%).
Beyond themselves, many Australians are also worried about the people around them, many citing concern for the health and safety of elderly family or neighbours, other family members or children.
Heat is clearly becoming more than just a weather issue but also a health issue:
- 18% are concerned about existing health conditions worsening due to heat
- 17% are concerned about healthcare or medical expenses caused by extreme heat
- 14% are concerned about medical equipment or health devices not working during a blackout
While heat may be one of the most immediate fears, of the Australians surveyed are also bracing for a range of other impacts they are expecting this El Niño season, including increased risk of drought (47%), bushfires (39%), less rainfall (38%) and increased risk of flash flooding (24%).
The risks may differ across communities, but the message is the same: preparation needs to go beyond heat alone.
The price of cooling down: how cost pressures are putting Australians at risk
When it comes to worrying about heat-related health impacts, it has a competitor – cost of living pressures.
More than 4 in 10 (42%) Australians surveyed are most concerned about higher electricity bills from running air conditioning more this summer and over 1 in 3 (36%) for running fans more.
Other concerns include:
- Higher water bills – 31%
- Increased insurance costs – 25%
- Losing food or needing temporary accommodation from a power outage – 23%
- Damage to home causing financial loss – 22%
With cost front of mind, Australians are having to make dangerous trade-offs.
Nearly 1 in 5 survey respondents (18%) have avoided or would avoid using air conditioning even when uncomfortably hot, while:
- 57% close blinds during the day to keep heat out
- 41% used fans or opened windows rather than using air conditioning
- 37% limit air conditioning use
- 26% left home for a free air-conditioned public space
As Australians are finding ways to keep energy bills down, the research reveals a growing vulnerability: many are pushing through uncomfortable heat potentially without knowing when it may be becoming a serious health risk.
As the effects of heat are often less visible, a good rule of thumb is: if the heat is affecting your sleep, concentration or ability to carry out normal activities, it's time to stop, hydrate and seek a cooler environment.
The summer preparedness gap
Over half (53%) of Australians surveyed understand the effects of El Niño to some extent, more than 70% (74%) are concerned about the extreme weather effects of El Niño, and 59% feel more vulnerable this summer.
But only 11% of Australians surveyed say that, while they feel more vulnerable, they are confidently prepared. Furthermore, 28% have taken no action in the past 12 months to prepare. And while 18% have an El Niño specific emergency plan in place and 18% have a severe storm or flooding plan, only 6% have both.
This reveals a large summer preparedness gap for more than 1 in 2 (56%) of Australians surveyed who have not discussed or made emergency plans or are unsure if they have.
Since last year this gap has widened, when only 39% of households reported that they had no emergency plan in place according to Youi’s From Awareness to Action report.
The states with the largest proportion of people that haven’t planned:
- 69% of South Australians
- 61% of Western Australians
- 59% of Victorians
- 54% of Queenslanders
- 53% of New South Walers
While many have no plan in place, Aussie’s aren’t completely ignoring the risks. Most have at least taken some action to prepare – or plan to – with only 28% selecting none of the listed preparedness measures.
However, the research suggests most preparation focuses on routine household maintenance rather than emergency readiness, like checking smoke alarms (31%), clearing gutters or drains (29%), trimming branches/vegetation (25%) or checking roof condition (20%).
Few have prepared or plan to prepare for the unexpected. Only:
- 19% have prepared or plan to prepare their home for extreme heat
- 19% have prepared or plan to prepare for power outages
- 16% have prepared or plan to prepare an emergency kit
- 16% have reviewed or plan to review home or content insurance
- 14% have identified or plan to identify where to go if they need to evacuate
- 13% have signed or plan to sign up for emergency alerts
The gaps reveal a nation that knows the risks of El Niño but aren’t sufficiently prepared.
So, what’s stopping people from being prepared?
For many Australians, awareness is only part of the challenge. The findings suggest uncertainty about what to do, low perceived personal risk and practical barriers may also be limiting preparedness.
Around 1 in 8 (13%) Australians surveyed say they do not know what they need to do, while 11% do not know the specific risks associated with an El Niño season. While other barriers are a mix of practical or emotional barriers:
- 19% don’t think they’re at significant risk
- 14% feel overwhelmed
- 12% expect emergency services to provide support if needed
- 11% keep putting it off
- 10% find preparation too expensive
- 8% don’t have enough time
Who’s falling behind?
Baby Boomers show one of the clearest gaps between perceived preparedness and formal planning. Almost half (48%) surveyed feel sufficiently prepared and nearly a quarter (24%) do not believe they are at significant risk, yet only around 11% report having an El Niño plan in place.
Nearly a quarter (24%) don't believe they're at risk and almost half (48%) feel sufficiently prepared despite being among the least likely generations to have an El Niño plan in place (11%).
With older Australians often identified as more vulnerable during extreme weather, this highlights an opportunity to strengthen preparedness and awareness among this group.
Renters face a different challenge. Three in ten (30%) say their limited ability to make changes to their home is a barrier to preparation, and they are significantly less likely than homeowners to have taken or plan to take practical preparedness actions.
This highlights the need for tailored advice that focuses on what renters can control to help them feel confident and prepared heading into summer.
What are Australians not ready for?
Beyond heat, black outs or power outages emerged as one of the strongest reoccurring concerns, with a quarter (25%) of Australians surveyed worried about power outages in their local area this summer.
Yet only 19% have prepared for one and only 39% would know how to prepare for one.
When asked what worried them most about losing power, they pointed to everyday impacts:
- Food spoilage – 51%
- Inability to cook or shower – 44%
- Loss off communication due to disrupted Wi-Fi or devices losing charge – 37%
- Loss of lighting – 34%
- Not being able to receive emergency updates – 29%
It’s something easily taken for granted and one of the clearest examples of a preparedness gap.
What would help Australians feel more prepared?
It’s not just a lack of awareness that’s holding Australians back, but also a lack of centralised practical information helping them to prepare and feel confident.
When asked what would help them feel more prepared, Australians wanted:
1. Earlier warnings
30% want alerts and reminders ahead of forecast extreme weather.
2. Locally relevant information
23% want information relevant to their suburb, region and local risks.
3. Simplicity
22% want a simple household preparedness checklist.
4. Clear guidance
20% want straightforward guidance on what to do in different weather situations.
From concern to confidence
Extreme weather is part of living in Australia. But being prepared doesn't have to be complicated.
Whether you're getting ready for heatwaves, bushfires, storms, power outages or drought, small actions taken today can make a big difference tomorrow.
That's why you.prepared exists. To help Australians better understand the risks, take practical action and feel more confident heading into summer, as risks and conditions continue to evolve each year.
Are you prepared for severe weather?
Visit our you.prepared hub for expert tips and practical information to help get ready for severe weather.
Sources:
1: BoM – Overview – Summary - Long-range forecasts
Disclaimer
Data for the you.prepared study was sourced from a survey conducted by Ideally on the 2nd of October, involving 2,142 Australians aged 18 years old and above, from all states and territories within Australia. Some percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. As a result, the sum of the individual numbers may not always add up to 100%. Also, some questions allowed respondents to select multiple answers, with the data reflecting the percentage of respondents who selected each response.
Survey results have not been independently verified by Youi and may not be representative of the general population. Youi makes no representation or warranty of any kind of the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, or completeness of the data and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind suffered as a result of the use of or reliance on the data. Individual experiences may vary.
Any information contained in this article is for general information only and is not comprehensive advice. Any recommendations should be considered against your personal circumstances.
