Queensland Hazard and Risk Assessment Framework
On this page:
About
The Queensland Hazard and Risk Assessment Framework (QHRAF) is designed to enhance Queensland’s understanding of disaster risk, support strategic risk-informed decision-making, and strengthen government capacity to reduce disaster risks and build disaster resilience. It does this by supporting users to understand the risks posed to assets by hazards, and guiding investment and risk reduction activities.
Status
This project is currently in development with completion expected in 2026.
QHRAF deliverables
Once completed, the QHRAF project deliverables will include:
- QHRAF Strategic Guidance – A high-level reference document that provides guidance on how to use the Framework, the policy and the strategic context and the benefits of undertaking a risk assessment
- QHRAF Methodology – The Methodology defines the hazard and risk assessment process through nine steps, covering both risk analysis and risk treatment
- QHRAF Leading Practice Guidance – provides guidance for undertaking a leading practice risk assessment.
A free, fit-for-purpose QHRAF Tool has also been developed to assist local governments by enabling immediate adoption of the QHRAF Methodology without requiring investment in new systems. By offering a ready-to-use solution, the QHRAF Tool helps to overcome common barriers faced by local government in accessing and utilising reliable hazard and risk information.
The QHRAF Tool is designed for local government, but the QHRAF Strategic Guidance, Methodology, and Leading Practice Guidance can apply to a variety of contexts and be used by diverse stakeholders, enabling a cohesive and adaptable approach to risk assessment across sectors
QHRAF objectives
The primary objectives of the QHRAF are to:
- enhance Queensland’s understanding of disaster risk
- establish a state-wide standard for hazard and risk assessment
- strengthen the capacity of local government to gather data and evidence on hazard and risk
- support strategic, risk-informed decision making across Queensland
- encourage more strategic investment and funding in disaster prevention activities..
Next steps
Subject to final Queensland Government decision, QRA will work with local governments support their risk assessments.
Monitoring and evaluation
Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will be undertaken to ensure the QHRAF remains locally appropriate, cost effective and fit for purpose.
Project background
QRA became the lead agency for state-wide hazard and risk functions on 1 July 2024 following reforms and the 2023 review of the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements (QDMA) by the Inspector-General Emergency Management. QRA’s new responsibilities included design and delivery of a risk assessment tool that is locally appropriate, cost effective and fit for purpose (i.e. the QHRAF Tool).
Consultation
The development of the QHRAF has been guided by a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process since late 2024 with over 50 stakeholders mostly from local government and state government agencies. Stakeholder engagement included a series of webinars, face-to-face regional workshops, targeted meetings and presentations, surveys and feedback forms. QRA commenced pilot testing of the QHRAF in early 2026 with select local governments.
Funding acknowledgement
This project is funded by the Queensland Government.
Contact
- Enquiries from local governments – please contact your QRA Resilience and Recovery Officer.
- For general enquiries – please contact the QRA Hazards, Risk and Resilience Team (HRR) via email to hazard.risk@qra.qld.gov.au.
Resources
Coming soon - Resources for this initiative will be available as they are finalised in 2026.
FAQs
Yes, the QRA RROs will be trained on the QHRAF and will be available to answer questions from local governments undertaking their risk assessments. Please contact your nominated RRO if you require support.
The GIS QHRAF Tool is a geographic information system that has been developed to support local governments that are undertaking a QHRAF risk assessment under the QHRAF. The tool is intended to provide a minimum standard of information across the state and to assist local governments in understanding the risk that natural hazards pose to local assets. This ensures that the information is used appropriately within strategic resilience planning and decision-making contexts. The Strategic Guidance, Methodology and Leading Practice Guidance will all be publicly available on this website following completion.
QHRAF users that have their own data and the capacity, may choose to undertake a leading practice risk assessment. The QHRAF Leading Practice Guidance provides advice to users on how to do that.
The HRR team are developing a monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework to ensure the continuous improvement of the QHRAF (and QHRAF Tool). Existing data in the QHRAF Tool will be updated biennially. New data will be incorporated into the QHRAF Tool as it becomes available, subject to priorities and funding.
No, the QHRAF does not currently consider climate change. However, QRA are working with State Government Agencies to develop a climate change module to include as part of a future update of the QHRAF.
QRA has adopted a risk equation in the QHRAF Methodology that aligns to international standards. It incorporates the likelihood of the hazard, the exposure of assets to the hazard and the vulnerability of assets and the community to determine the resultant consequences. The calculation of risk is automated for users of the QHRAF Tool, based on the information provided.
Queensland, as identified in the 2023 State Disaster Risk Report, is the most disaster-prone state in Australia. Historically, Queensland has accounted for up to 60% of the national total economic cost of disasters. The future cost of disasters in anticipated to grow with the influence of climate change. There are significant social, economic and environmental benefits from investing in disaster risk reduction and resilience.
The QHRAF outputs may support the development of Local Resilience Action Plans and may assist local government with prioritising their risk reduction projects. Risk informed LRAPS with a strong evidence base are more likely to be successful in securing project funding. The QHRAF plays a key role in reducing risk and building community resilience to hazards in Queensland.
Last updated: 11 August 2026.
QRA Reference: CM QRATF/25/14206 DOC/26/4837