Who to call when

When an emergency strikes or a crime is committed, the stress, anxiety, emotion and confusion, can make it difficult to know which emergency service or organisation you should call. Here’s a handy guide about what to report where.

Triple Zero (000)

000

Call if: 

• you need immediate fire, police or ambulance help
• if a crime is in progress (happening now)
• if a crime has just been committed and an offender may still be in the area.
• someone needs urgent medical help
• life or property is being threatened
• you see flames 
• you have just witnessed a serious accident or crime

If English is not your first language

Call Triple Zero (000), then once you have been transferred to the emergency service you need, ask for an interpreter in your preferred language.

If you are deaf 

You can make an emergency call by using a TTY to call 106. 

If you find it hard to hear or speak to people on the phone

You can ask the National Relay Service (NRS) for assistance with contacting Triple Zero (000) via relay (eg: TTY, chat, captions, SMS relay, video relay or voice relay). For more information, visit the NRS website to choose your preferred access point or call the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 660

Police Assistance Line

131 444

Call to:

• report non-urgent crimes or events, anytime, anywhere
• Report theft
• report property damage
• report lost property 
• register absence from residence
• register a party 
• make a general police enquiry.

You can also report online.

Crime Stoppers

1800 333 000

Call to anonymously report information about:

• a crime
• criminal activity
• unsolved crime
• people, vehicles or suspicious activity which could help solve or prevent a crime.

You can also make a confidential online report.

National Security Hotline

1800 123 400

Call to anonymously report concerns about possible signs of terrorism and foreign interference. This may include:

• someone threatening to harm people or damage infrastructure
• large purchases of fertiliser, chemicals, explosives or other dangerous materials
• unusual videotaping or photographing of official buildings or critical infrastructure
• abandoned or suspicious vehicles near public buildings or in busy public places
• abandoned luggage
• websites or social media promoting extremist ideology
• someone being coerced to return to their home country
• unauthorised people trying to access sensitive information or places.

You can also report via email to hotline@nationasecurity.gov.au or via SMS on 0429 771 822.

SES

132 500

Call during a storm or flood:

• if a tree has caused structural damage to your home or vehicle
• a tree or damage is preventing access to your home
• if your roof is damaged
• or if your property is flooded or about to flood.

If someone’s life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline

1800 675 888

Call to report sick livestock, poultry and aquatic animals, especially if you suspect serious animal disease or spot unusual clinical signs. 

You can also make a report through the mobile app Notify Now. 

Download on Google Play

Download on the Apple App Store

Environment Protection Authority

1300 372 842

Call to report pollution of any type, including waste, noise, water, smoke, dust or banned products. This can include:

• odour from landfills, animal processors, sewage treatment or composting facilities
• foul-smelling, abnormal or offensive emissions from industry
• litter from cars
• smoky vehicles
• smoke in the air
• illegal storage of soft plastics
• the use of banned plastic bags
• illegal waste disposal (also known as illegal dumping)
• river or creek pollution, including fish deaths
• unreasonable noise in your neighbourhood

You can also submit an online report