Disaster recovery is rewarding work. Be it flood, bushfire, cyclone or pandemic, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is here to help. With our army of dedicated volunteers, we respond to disasters and deliver support to those in need.
DRA brings hope to communities devastated by disaster. We unite the skills and experience of military veterans, emergency responders and motivated civilians to deploy Disaster Relief Teams around Australia and the world. We help people during some of their worst days.
Deploying with DRA and supporting disaster affected communities is rewarding beyond measure. Through volunteering, corporate partnerships, financial donations or working with us, there are many ways to make a positive contribution and become a force for good.
News and stories are the heartbeat of our mission. Discover the inspiring narratives of our dedicated volunteers and resilient communities we stand by. These stories vividly depict the impact of our work, showcase the power of compassion and unity and remind us that we can make a difference together.
There are many ways to make a positive contribution and bring hope to others. As a not-for-profit community cause, Disaster Relief Australia exists through the combined generosity of volunteers, donors, corporate partners and fundraisers.
TRAINING EVENT: Chainsaw – Trim and cut felled trees – FWPCOT2273, Maintain Chainsaws – FWPCOT2254 and Trim trees using a pole saw – FWPCOT3301
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: To be confirmed DATE: 25 – 26 October 2025
TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Pole saw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING:
Full Chainsaw Course: Approx. ~9 hours
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have Tetanus vaccine up to date.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2275 – Fell Trees Manually (Basic)
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: Vic Goldfields Railway Muckleford Station – Muckleford Walmer Road, Muckleford VIC DATE: Saturday 13th – Sunday 14th September 2025
TIMINGS: 0800 – 1600, Both days
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~3 hours
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster, have Tetanus vaccine up to date and be qualified in Maintain Chainsaw, Trim & Cut Felled Trees.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This course builds higher-level skills beyond standard chainsaw trimming, advancing into safe tree felling, assessment, and maintenance. With a strong focus on safety and risk management, volunteers are better equipped to support disaster recovery operations
TRAINING EVENT: Operational Skills Training
COURSE PROVIDER: Internal Disaster Relief and Recovery Team
LOCATION: TBC DATE: Saturday 13th – Sunday 14th September 2025
TIMINGS 0900 – 1600 both days
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have Tetanus vaccine up to date.
TRAINING EVENT: HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid & HLTAID009 – Provide CPR
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia LOCATION: Keilor East RSL, 12-22 Hoffmans Rd, Essendon DATE: Saturday 30th August 2025 TIMINGS: Full First Aid 0800 – 1600; CPR Only 0800 – 1100 ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: First Aid ~4 hours; CPR Only ~1.5 hours PREREQUISITES: Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and Tetanus vaccine up to date
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: Do you have the skills to save a life, whether it’s a family member, mate, or someone in your community? This essential training builds the confidence and readiness to act when it counts. Whether responding to a minor injury or a critical emergency, your actions can make all the difference.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and Cut Felled trees & FWPCOT3301 Trim Tree using a Polesaw
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia LOCATION: Vic Goldfields Railway Muckleford Station – Muckleford Walmer Road, Muckleford VIC 3451 DATE: Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th August 2025 TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Polesaw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: Full chainsaw course~9 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This training equips you with essential skills for disaster recovery operations, where managing fallen trees and debris safely and efficiently is critical. You’ll learn how to assess, plan, and execute tree trimming and cutting tasks with confidence, skills that are often the first step in helping communities recover from disaster.
TRAINING EVENT: Operational Skills Training
COURSE PROVIDER: Internal Disaster Relief and Recovery Team
LOCATION: TBA DATE:Saturday 16th August 2025
TIMINGS 0900 – 1600
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have Tetanus vaccine up to date.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2275 – Fell trees manually (Basic)
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia LOCATION: Vic Goldfields Railway Muckleford Station – Muckleford Walmer Road, Muckleford VIC 3451
DATE: Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th July 2025TIMINGS: 0800 – 1600, Both days
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~3 hours
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster, have Tetanus vaccine up to date and be qualified in Maintain Chainsaw, Trim & Cut Felled Trees.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This course builds higher-level skills beyond standard chainsaw trimming, advancing into safe tree felling, assessment, and maintenance. With a strong focus on safety and risk management, volunteers are better equipped to support disaster recovery operations
TRAINING EVENT: Operational Skills Training
COURSE PROVIDER: Internal Disaster Relief and Recovery Team
LOCATION:Vic Goldfields Railway Muckleford Station – Muckleford Walmer Road, Muckleford VIC 3451 DATE:Saturday 26th July to Sunday 27th July 2025
TIMINGS 0900 – 1600 both days
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have Tetanus vaccine up to date.
Operational Skills Weekend:
TRAINING EVENT: Operational Skills Weekend COURSE PROVIDER: Disaster Relief Team VIC LOCATION: Korweinguboora DATE: Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th September 2025 TIMINGS: 0900 – 1600, participants can select to attend one, or both days MUSTER STATUS REQUIRED: Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready
Operational Skills Weekend:
TRAINING EVENT: Operational Skills Weekend COURSE PROVIDER: DRRT VIC LOCATION: Vic Goldfields Railway Muckleford Station – Muckleford Walmer Road, Muckleford VIC 3451 DATE: Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th May 2025 TIMINGS: 0800 – 1600, participants can select to attend one, or both days MUSTER STATUS REQUIRED: Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready
