Suncorp insurer AAMI and the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) used the Farm World field days at Lardner Park, near Warragul in regional Victoria, to provide information on natural hazard preparedness to visitors from regional communities. The multi-day agricultural event – which attracts farming operators, regional families, and rural businesses – was used by the organisations to focus on storm, flood, and broader disaster readiness alongside machinery displays, livestock exhibits, and farm services.
As part of a partnership between AAMI and VICSES that has been in place since 2003, the two organisations operated a joint stand offering information on how households and small enterprises can reduce exposure to severe weather. The partnership has supported initiatives such as the “Be Storm Smart” interactive planning tool, the “15 to Float” campaign on the risks of driving into floodwater, and continuing involvement in Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day), which recognises VICSES volunteers across the state. At Farm World, volunteers discussed local hazard patterns, recent storm and flood experiences, and basic mitigation steps, and handed out step-by-step guides covering what to do before, during, and after an event. The stand also allowed visitors to ask operational questions and to gain a clearer understanding of the role of emergency services and insurers in disaster response and recovery.
VICSES Warragul unit controller Daniel Brown said face-to-face conversations were an important element of the Farm World presence. “It’s always rewarding to connect directly with people and talk about the things they can do to prepare for storms, floods, and other emergencies. It’s also been great to share what it’s like volunteering and encourage others to join us. You build confidence, learn practical skills, and often find yourself growing into leadership roles you might never have expected,” Brown said.
AAMI and VICSES used the event to inform visitors about local volunteering options, with both organisations describing a broader and well-trained volunteer base as important for supporting communities as severe weather events become more frequent and damaging. The Farm World activity forms part of AAMI’s wider disaster risk management work, which includes efforts to improve customer understanding of hazard exposure and to support community-based resilience programs in high-risk regions.
Suncorp executive manager for disaster management Lilly Broodbank said discussions at events such as Farm World are aimed at building resilience before claims occur. “Resilience doesn’t just happen in the moment – it’s built over time through conversations, awareness, and shared responsibility. Being able to meet people where they are, in their own communities, creates a powerful opportunity to make that message stick. Our partnership with VICSES has always been grounded in a shared goal: helping communities not only recover from disasters but better prepare for them. That’s something we’re committed to continuing for the long term,” Broodbank said.
An AAMI volunteer, Rachel, said involving children and teenagers was another aspect of the stand. “It was fantastic to see so many families coming through and taking an interest in how they can protect their homes and properties. There’s a real curiosity there, especially among kids, which creates a great opportunity to start building those habits early. When we talk about the next generation as ‘Hazard Heroes,’ it’s about empowering them with knowledge in a way that feels accessible and practical. Those small actions – knowing what to do, understanding risks – can make a big difference over time,” she said. The Farm World engagement is one example of how consumer education, emergency management, and product design are intersecting as physical climate risks rise.
The Farm World activity follows the release of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s (APRA) Insurance Climate Vulnerability Assessment (ICVA), a climate-related stress test of general insurers. APRA has said the ICVA is a scenario exercise rather than a prediction, but the regulator notes that several of the modelled risks are already evident in claims experience. The assessment indicates that, without changes to mitigation investment and land-use planning, more frequent and intense extreme weather may add to affordability and availability pressures, particularly in high-risk regions.
Industry analysis cited in the policy debate suggests that a relatively small share of properties accounts for a large share of repair costs. Aon’s work, for example, indicates that 25% of the cost of repairing or rebuilding properties damaged by flood is driven by about 11% of the most at-risk properties. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has argued that, without reform to planning rules, mitigation funding, and fiscal settings, Australia will continue to spend large amounts rebuilding in flood‑prone areas, diverting capital from new housing supply and other priorities.
Drawing on APRA’s ICVA and the federal government’s National Climate Risk Assessment, released in September last year, the ICA is calling for increased climate resilience measures ahead of the Federal Budget. The National Climate Risk Assessment warned that extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent, more severe, and more costly, with disaster recovery spending projected to increase almost seven-fold if early investment is not made. Since 2022, severe and catastrophic events have generated an estimated $15.4 billion in insured losses and around $28 billion in total economic costs.
Flood events account for a significant proportion of these losses, with major floods since 2022 producing about $12.9 billion in insured losses and approximately $23 billion in economic costs. The ICA says communities with lower socio-economic capacity are more exposed to these impacts and are more vulnerable to premium pressure and underinsurance. Despite additional funding through the federal Disaster Ready Fund since 2022, the ICA calculates that adaptation-related infrastructure spending represents about $1 for every $39 lost to extreme weather over the same period.
