Everyone should understand which organisation to contact in the event of an emergency, when it is appropriate to use the 000 (triple zero) emergency response number and what to expect when it is called.
Calling 000 for police, fire and ambulance in an emergency
The 000 (triple zero) service is provided free of charge to callers within Australia from any fixed or mobile phone.
The emergency call is initially answered by a Telstra operator who transfers the calls to the appropriate emergency service organisation - police, fire or ambulance.
Calls should only be made to the 000 service when police, fire or ambulance attendance is necessary in an emergency situation.
For general business or information enquiries requiring police or fire attendance, the appropriate phone numbers should be obtained from the telephone book or Directory Assistance.
Non-emergency ambulance services must be requested and authorised by your medical practitioner.
- When using a standard phone call 000 (triple zero) for police, fire or ambulance.
- If you are using a GSM digital mobile phone which is out of range of your service provider, displays a message indicating emergency calls only, or does not have a SIM card, try 112.
- If you have a speech or hearing disability the National Relay Service provides three ways to contact emergency services - one by TTY, one by ordinary phone, and the third by internet relay.
If you find yourself in an emergency which is either life threatening or where time is critical, you can use one of these services.
Calling triple zero - what you need to know?
Lists some of the questions you will be asked when you call Triple Zero (000). It is important to remember that the questions are asked to provide you with the best and fastest service in an emergency. In time-critical situations the emergency services are being dispatched while you are being questioned. Your information will continue to be updated throughout the call.
ESTA
About emergency assistance (000)
Some advice on when to use 000 to request police assistance, what to expect when you call and when not to use 000.
VicPol
Calling 000 - for an ambulance
Tips on what to expect and some questions you may be asked when you call an ambulance in an emergency.
MAS
Emergency call service
Some basic information from the Australian Communications and Media Authority on the emergency call service and what to do in an emergency situation if you require police, fire or ambulance assistance.
Contact number list
Every household should keep a list of emergency telephone numbers that need to be accessed quickly near the phone, on the fridge or in another prominent place.
Download the
Emergency Contact Sheet and use the list below to add numbers for services you may need to access in your local area .
(PDF 32KB) (Requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader)
Remember to review and update the contents of the page on a regular basis.
Other contact numbers for Victoria (Australia)
Storm damage or flood rescue
The
Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) can be contacted on 132 500 from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day, for emergency assistance if you or your property is affected by a flood or storm. SES volunteers (recognisable in their orange overalls) are trained to provide temporary emergency assistance to help people protect themselves and protect their property from further damage. They assist with such incidents as a tree down on a building, damaged roofs, rising floodwater, general building damage, trees down and blocking access, and any storm damage that may be a threat to life or property. The role of the SES volunteer team is to make the scene safe. It is the property owner’s responsibility to arrange for the removal of debris and permanent repairs to their property.
SES
Victorian Bushfire Information Line - 1800 240 667
The Victorian Bushfire Information Line, operated by CFA in partnership with Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) provides timely information to the community during significant bushfires, assist the community to prepare for wildfire risk and provide information regarding fire restrictions, Total Fire Bans and DSE prescribed burns. It offers personal advice from operators as well as a range of useful recorded information.
CFA &
DSE
Callers who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment may call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line through the National Relay Service using a modem or textphone/teletypewriter (TTY) by dialling 1800 555 677 then asking for 1800 240 667.
Fire enquiries
All other fire enquiries should be directed to the relevant
Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB),
Department of Sustainability & Environment or
Country Fire Authority (CFA) business location.
Traffic hazards and freeway conditions
Call
13 11 70 for the latest
traffic alerts in the State of Victoria.
VicRoads
Poisons information
In an Emergency ring
13 11 26 -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The
Victorian Poisons Information Centre provides the people of Victoria with a timely, safe information service in poisonings and suspected poisonings. For members of the public this includes telephone assessment, advice on first aid, with or without referral to a doctor or hospital.
Telephone health line
NURSE-ON-CALL is Victoria’s telephone health line, providing Victorians with immediate, expert health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call
1300 60 60 24 for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria. (Calls from mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate.)
Workplace and dangerous goods incidents
Call
13 23 60 to report serious workplace emergency, 24 hours a day to the
WorkSafe Victoria.
WSV
Vehicle towing
For Melbourne, call
13 11 76, for Geelong
5277 2111 and for all other areas check in your Yellow Pages for your local operator.
Health services
The Department of Human Services provides contact information for both
metropolitan and
rural public hospitals and health services. The
Betterhealth Channel Service Directory can be used to access names and contact details for general practitioners and a wide range of health service providers.
DHS
Gas escape
Report any suspected gas escapes to the emergency telephone number 132 771. This emergency number is provided by the
Energy Safe Victoria and operates 24 hours every day of the year and cover all gas companies. Some gas companies have established individual emergency numbers and these are published on their gas accounts.
Electricity, and water/sewerage suppliers
The Essential Services Commission provides links to organisations which provide
electricity and water services.
Sexual assault
The
Centre Against Sexual Assualt (CASA House) counselling service operated by the Royal Women's Hospital, provides 24 hour services to young people, women and men. Call
(03) 9635 3610.
Parenting advice and information
Parents of children from 0 to 6 years old can call the Maternal and Child Line on
13 22 29 (24 hours) for advice and information. Parentline
13 22 89 (extended hours, 7 days per week) provides advice to parents of 6 to 18 year olds.
Children
Children can call Kids Help Line on
1800 551 800 (24 hours).
| Counselling, information and referral |
Lifeline provides confidential telephone counselling on
13 11 14. The Suicide Help Line is a 24 hour service and is available on
1300 651 251.
Animal Emergencies
The
RSPCA provides a 24 hour advice and referral service for animal emergencies across Victoria and an ambulance service for sick, injured and stray animals in need of help in the South Eastern metropolitan area of Melbourne. Call on
9224 2222
More contact numbers
The
Emergency numbers - who to call in a crisis page on the
Better Health Channel lists a
number of additional organisations which provide telephone advice and counselling in a crisis.