Volunteering, training and professional development
Disaster recovery is challenging work. By combining our volunteer recruitment and training, modern military technology and emergency disaster management best practice, Disaster Relief Australia operates at the cutting edge of disaster relief. If you’re looking to learn new skills, challenge yourself or just volunteer to assist communities impacted by disasters then why not join today.
Award Win
Disaster Relief Australia wins Australian Charity Award for the third consecutive year.
Deploy with DRA
Are you already a member of the DRA Tribe? Planning for operations about to deploy nationally are underway. Click the link below to find out more and submit your EOI now.
Current Operations
DRA continues to respond to recovery efforts post disaster, right across Australia.
Read more >>
Wellbeing Project
We want a deeper understanding of the benefits of DRA’s volunteering program so we can help more people.
Learn More >>
Disasters are our business
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) unites the skills and experiences of Australian Defence Force veterans, emergency responders and civilians to rapidly deploy disaster relief teams domestically and around the globe.
Proud to currently maintain a roster of thousands of volunteers able to rapidly deploy throughout Australia and the Pacific Rim.
Integrating into existing emergency management arrangements where possible. Disaster Relief Australia can operate independently or as part of an integrated taskforce.
DRA provides Incident Management, damage and impact assessment, aerial damage assessment and mapping, work order management, spontaneous volunteer management, debris management & restoring access, expedient home repair and resilience & capacity building.
Veterans are our passion
Led by Veterans, Disaster Relief Australia seeks to change the narrative around the Australian veteran.
DRA improves veterans’ wellbeing by providing them the opportunity to continue to serve communities devastated by natural disaster. In doing so, they are able to regain a sense of purpose and identity not found since their military service. DRA recognises that veterans hold a unique and valuable skill set. Australian veterans are a national asset, and DRA seeks to showcase that to the world.
Our story
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) was launched in 2016.
In April 2017, DRA launched its first disaster relief operation to Proserpine in Far North Queensland in response to the devastation wrought by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
This operation, dubbed Operation Dunlop, after WWII Surgeon Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, saw DRA deployed to the hard-hit town of Proserpine in North Queensland. For over three weeks 62 volunteers worked tirelessly to help the greater Proserpine community recover from the disaster.
Just as importantly, we proved that the skills and experience of military veterans are ideally suited to this type of work.
Disaster Relief Australia
Disaster Relief Australia has been steadily been gaining traction since its inaugural mission in Proserpine in 2017. Our vision is to integrate veterans and emergency services volunteers to build Disaster Relief Australia Teams across Australia, serving local communities before, during and after natural disasters.
Deployments
Disaster Relief Australia has deployed to the United States, Greece, British Virgin Islands, Indonesia, the Phillipines and throughout Australia. The incidence of natural disasters is on the rise, and Disaster Relief Australia are here to answer the call.
Our next chapter
We currently have nine Disaster Relief Teams (DRT’s), in all states and territories.
We bring a capability to the field not yet seen in this region, and provide an opportunity to Australian veterans that is much needed and long overdue. Our next chapter will be an exciting one.
DRA wins Australian Charity Award for 3rd consecutive year
We are excited to announce that Disaster Relief Australia has been recognised for an Outstanding Achievement in The...
Thank You… end of year message from our CEO
To say 2022 was exceptional is an understatement. Australia has faced challenges and disruptions on a significant and...
Funding secured for our continued growth
Disaster Relief Australia will launch flood recovery Operation Riordan on 13th August 2022 to help Northern Rivers residents recover from continual catastrophic flooding. The operation will focus on home and property repairs aiming to get the community safe, secure, and warm.