Profiling Australia's vulnerability: The interconnected causes and cascading effects of systemic disaster risk

Concentrating on systemic vulnerability, the element of risk that informs complex and high-stakes decisions, this report seeks to:

• provide new knowledge about the complex and interconnected systems that support Australian society and influence resilience or vulnerability to disasters;
• highlight what people value, and focus on how the tensions and trade-offs between different values influence priorities and choices now and in the future;
• promote discussion about the interconnected and cascading effects of the systemic causes of vulnerability and the implications of decisions on future preparedness and resilience;
• enable good intentions to be turned into focussed and sustained action at various levels in Australian society, in ways that reduce vulnerability and build resilience.

Consistent with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, profiling Australia’s vulnerability contributes to an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions – vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment.

This work provides a frame to equip Australian leaders at all levels to have a different conversation about disaster risk, so that together the actions and decisions they make can uphold public trust and confidence, reduce suffering and sustain a safe and prosperous nation.