NAFI web service funding is not assured beyond June 30, 2026.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has committed to funding the NAFI service: $740K (ex GST) for 2025-26. This will allow us to employ part-time additional staff to make the service more secure.

However, this is less than the funding needed for a sustainable NAFI web service, around $4.5M over four years, and no funding is allocated after June 30, 2026. We will apply for this funding from the Federal Government's 2026 May Budget.

The web service produces significant public good benefits across six Federal Departments, and at less than $200K per year for these Departments supporting NAFI represents remarkable value for investment as outlined below.

• The NAFI web service covers 80% of Australia and is the only fire information service tailored to the bushfire management needs of rural and remote land managers across this huge area.


• It has the only long term, validated, frequently updated fire histories that extend across north Australia. These are used by land managers to plan and implement fire management including in Savanna Burning carbon projects.


• In its 22 years of operation it has become a vital tool, part of day-to-day fire management practice for tens of thousands of people who have a role in managing bushfires. It is now regarded as critical IT infrastructure by many users.


• In this time the NAFI site has also grown in popularity, tripling its usage in the last five years.


• Feedback from this widespread user base has allowed us to develop additional practical web-based tools that e.g. help people measure their progress in improving fire management.


• The NAFI web service has played an important role in reducing the frequency of severe wildfires across large parts of northern Australia. This reduction of wildfire has helped protect remote communities - helping reduce costs for fire agencies.