Disaster Support

Here's what you can do to help prepare for a major disaster, and the support available to help keep you connected when it counts.

Preparing for a disaster

Bushfires, cyclones, floods and other extreme weather events are becoming more common across Australia. A bit of preparation can go a long way.

Make sure you have an emergency plan and save important contact numbers somewhere you can access them if the power goes out or your phone isn't available.

If you live in a regional area or somewhere prone to natural disasters, it may also be worth keeping backup equipment handy, such as a satellite phone or alternative charger.

Emergency Links

Check for service outages 

Find information about outages on the Telstra mobile network and estimated restoration times.

Search for an outage

Free calls and WI-FI at Telstra Payphones

All calls from Telstra payphones to standard local, national and mobile numbers in Australia are free. You can also get free Wi-Fi at payphones equipped with free Telstra Wi-Fi.

Find a Wi-Fi hotspot near you

Enable Wi-Fi Calling

If mobile coverage is affected during a disaster, you may still be able to make and receive calls and texts using Wi-Fi Calling, provided your device supports it.

Turn on Wi-Fi calling

Disaster support

When disasters happen, we're here to support eligible customers where we can, including in the following ways:

  • A major natural disaster like a bushfire, cyclone or flood can disrupt mobile services. If your network is unavailable but another mobile network is available, and it’s technically and operationally feasible, Temporary Disaster Roaming (TDR) may be activated to help support connectivity. If TDR is activated and your device is compatible, you may be able to make calls, send texts and access limited data which could include important websites and apps. Learn more about Temporary Disaster Roaming.

  • Boost Mobile customers in affected areas may be eligible for extra data. If you qualify, we’ll usually send you an SMS or email with instructions within a few hours of a disaster support packaging being activated.

Other helpful resources

Lifeline Natural Disaster Toolkit

Lifeline’s Natural disaster toolkit helps you understand the mental health impacts of extreme weather and learn ways to manage stress and build resilience before, during, and after a natural disaster.

Visit Lifeline

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Disaster support is offered based on impacted locations. If you've got a mobile service with us, you'll receive an SMS if you are eligible. 

Announcements are also made locally in impacted areas.

Chat with us or call us on 125 8881 and we’ll connect you with the specialist team who can offer you disaster support.

Your mobile device must support VoLTE emergency calling to make an emergency call to 000 on our network. If your device does not support VoLTE emergency calling, you will not be able to make an emergency call to 000 on the Telstra Mobile Network. Find out how to enable VoLTE on your mobile phone.

A major natural disaster like a bushfire, cyclone or flood can disrupt mobile services. Where another network remains available, and it is technically and operationally feasible, Temporary Disaster Roaming (TDR) may be activated to help support connectivity. If TDR is activated and your device is compatible, you may be able to make calls, send texts and access limited data which could include important websites and apps. Learn more about Temporary Disaster Roaming.

Regardless of whether TDR is activated, if your device supports emergency calling and another mobile network is available, you can still make Triple Zero (000) emergency calls using the existing emergency camp-on capability.

Still need help? Contact us