Emergency management & evacuation policy template
A free, ready-to-edit emergency management and evacuation policy template for Australian workplaces. Set clear roles, step-by-step evacuation procedures and assembly points so your team can respond safely to fire, medical emergencies, severe weather and security threats — and meet your WHS duties. No signup required.
Emergency evacuation policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This emergency management and evacuation policy template reflects Australian work health and safety standards at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your workplace layout, hazards and occupancy. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why your workplace needs an emergency evacuation policy
Under Australian work health and safety law, every workplace must prepare, maintain and implement an emergency plan — including evacuation procedures, ways to alert workers, and instructions for testing and training. A clear, documented policy is how you meet that duty and protect everyone on site.
Being unprepared puts lives at risk and exposes your business to serious liability. A good emergency evacuation policy sets out who does what before an incident happens: it names the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO), explains evacuation routes and assembly points, and sets a schedule for drills so staff and wardens are confident when seconds count. It applies to all employees, contractors, visitors and anyone else on the premises.
The policy pairs naturally with your first aid policy, incident reporting policy and overarching WHS policy. Store it and capture acknowledgements in your HR software so you can show every worker has read and understood the procedures.
What an emergency evacuation policy should cover
The essentials of an effective emergency plan
Emergency types
Fire, medical emergencies, severe weather, security threats and other critical events.
Emergency Control Organisation
Chief Warden, area wardens and first aid officers — who leads the response.
Evacuation procedures
Step-by-step process for a safe, orderly exit using designated routes.
Assembly points
Designated safe locations for gathering and a headcount after evacuating.
Communication & alarms
How alarms are raised and how information reaches staff and visitors.
Drills & training
Regular evacuation drills, testing and warden training to keep procedures current.
What's included in this template
A complete framework for preparing, responding to and recovering from an emergency
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who and where it applies.
Types of emergencies
Fire, medical, severe weather, bomb threat and other scenarios.
Emergency Control Organisation
Chief Warden, area wardens, first aid officers and their duties.
Evacuation procedures
Detailed steps for evacuating the workplace safely and in order.
Assembly points & headcount
Designated assembly areas and how to account for everyone.
Emergency contacts
Triple zero (000), wardens and key contacts during different emergencies.
Communication procedures
How alarms are raised and emergency information is shared.
Assisting people with impairments
Support for visitors, contractors and people who need extra help to evacuate.
Drill & testing requirements
Frequency and conduct of evacuation practice drills.
Recovery & review
Returning to work safely and keeping the plan current.
Building a plan that meets WHS requirements
What an effective emergency evacuation plan must include
It's a legal duty under WHS law
Model WHS Regulations require a person conducting a business or undertaking to prepare an emergency plan covering evacuation procedures, alerting workers, medical treatment and assistance, communication with emergency services, and testing and training. Safe Work Australia and your state regulator publish the detailed requirements.
Appoint and train your wardens
Appoint enough wardens to cover every area and shift. They should stay calm under pressure and receive formal training in emergency procedures, equipment use and managing an evacuation. Track who is trained and current so you never have a shift without a warden on site.
The evacuation sequence
Raise the alarm
Activate the alarm and call triple zero (000) for any immediate danger to life.
Alert & direct
Wardens alert their areas and direct staff and visitors to the nearest safe exit.
Evacuate
Move calmly along the designated route to the assembly point — never use lifts.
Account for everyone
Conduct a headcount at the assembly point and report anyone unaccounted for.
Most workplaces should run an evacuation drill at least annually; higher-risk sites such as aged care, childcare and high-rise buildings need them more often. Evaluate each drill, log it in your digital HR records and fix any issues you find.
Display an up-to-date evacuation diagram showing exit routes, equipment and assembly points, and customise the plan to your building layout and occupancy. For complex or high-risk premises, consider engaging a fire safety professional. After any incident, complete an incident report and review the plan. For broader context on your obligations, see our employment law guide and work health and safety glossary entry.
Who should use this template?
Every Australian workplace must have an emergency plan
Especially important for sites with visitors, vulnerable people or complex layouts — aged care, childcare, healthcare and multi-storey buildings.
Compliance resources
Official guidance on emergency plans and evacuation procedures.
Manage your policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail — so you can prove every worker knows your emergency procedures.
Related guides
Write and roll out workplace policies the right way
Related templates
Build out your safety & compliance framework
Emergency evacuation policy FAQ
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An emergency evacuation policy is a document that sets out how a workplace prepares for and responds to emergencies such as fire, medical incidents, severe weather and security threats. It defines the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) and warden roles, step-by-step evacuation procedures, assembly points, communication methods and a schedule for drills, so everyone can exit safely.
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Yes. This template is a solid starting point, but you must tailor it to your workplace layout, specific hazards, occupancy and applicable WHS legislation. Consult your workers and health and safety representatives, and consider engaging a fire safety professional for high-risk or complex buildings. Store the final version and acknowledgements in your HR software.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.