What you'll learn:
- How to start a conversation about bushfire safety.
- How to support clients with their planning.
- Where to refer clients for more support.
Who is it for?
This online learning module is for people in the aged and disability sector who work with clients in high bushfire risk areas over summer. This can include:
- support workers and community workers
- case managers and care coordinators
- service providers - disability, aged care, mental health, allied health
- others delivering in-home care and support.
Why bushfire planning is important
Your clients are the people most at risk in a bushfire
Bushfire planning is important for everyone in high risk bushfire areas, but it's particularly important for people who need support to stay living at home.
This includes people who have a medical condition, a disability, are frail, older or live alone. They cannot easily leave early in a bushfire and we know from research, they are at higher risk of death or injury in a bushfire.
44% of people who died in Black Saturday were in a higher risk category.
You can help your clients plan for bushfire
You are in a unique position to help the person you support think about the risks of bushfire and develop a bushfire plan.
Firstly, you can help clients understand they need a plan, and secondly, you can prompt them to complete one.
Funded agencies in the sector are also strongly encouraged to support clients to make personal emergency plans.
A person-centred approach
The module takes a person-centred approach where people are the experts in their own lives and involved in their own emergency planning process.
Most people are capable of creating their own bushfire plan. Sometimes, a conversation is all that is needed to start the process.
Topics covered by the module
The online module covers seven key areas:
1. Who needs to be prepared: What is bushfire preparedness and who needs it?
2. Your role: understanding the responsibility of the worker and how to help their clients
3. Start the conversation: questions to get the bushfire safety conversation going.
4. Build the Plan: six key areas to develop a Bushfire Survival Plan to leave early.
5. People who choose to stay: advice for clients who do not want to leave or build a plan.
6. Making it all work: referral pathways and a reminder of the key steps
7. Resources at your fingertips: links to resources and where to learn more.
How to do the module
Online, anytime
This resource is an online learning module which is available for you to complete anytime. It is free and takes around an hour. You can save your progress and come back to finish the module another time.
We recommend doing the module on a laptop or PC, not on your tablet or phone. It will also work best using Google Chrome as your browser.
What to expect
The module includes videos with subtitles, and quizzes to test your knowledge as you go. You will need to have basic reading and writing skills to do it.
You can download a certificate of completion at the end to say you have done the module.
Create an account to begin
You will need to create a free account with CFA to access the module. You will be asked to register with your email address and verify your account via email before you can log in.
With a CFA Learning Hub account, you can save your progress as you go and access a range of CFA online learning modules.
If you need help
You can find detailed instructions on how to create an account, log in and complete the module in the PDF below.
Bushfire Planning - How to Support your Clients: Step by step guide on completing the module (PDF 921.7KB)
CFA-run workplace group sessions
This module can also be run as a group session for your workplace in-person. Contact your local CFA office to request a group session or email communityprograms@cfa.vic.gov.au for more information.
Module cost
Free.
What people have said about this online learning module
I learnt the importance of my role in supporting [my clients] to feel safe in a threatening situation.
- Anonymous
Enjoyed the training. Easy and clear to understand and navigate. Great learning tool.
- Anonymous
Great to be part of this training because it's important to my job and the community.
- Anonymous
Key resources
Resources
Fire ready guide for community workers
A guide about how to support your clients with their fire preparation and planning.
Fire safety guide for in home service providers
A guide for in-home service providers on how to meet your responsibilities and keep clients safe from bushfires and home fires.
Bushfire Planning Referral Pathway
Follow this referral pathway to help someone you care for leave early on an Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger rating day.
Page last updated: Friday, 11 September 2026 4:13:35 PM