NAFI web service funding is not assured beyond June 30, 2026.
The NAFI web service requires $4.5M over four years.
It's your NAFI & the future of NAFI is up to you
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has committed $740,000 (ex GST) to funding the NAFI service 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. 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.
- We need your support. When our users speak up is when we get heard!
- NAFI needs secure, longer-term funding to make sure staffing and resources are available to keep up with increased user demand, site maintenance and improved tools for land managers and agencies.
- 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 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, such as those which help users 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.
How You Can Help
- Contact the relevant Members of Parliament explaining how important NAFI is to you, your livelihood, the environment and industry.
- Approach your local members and industry associations and request they approach the Ministers and Members above.
How to address Senators and Members
Keeping your mail professional, polite and respectful is the best way to make your message heard. This link takes you to a page which outlines how you should address and title members and senators of the Australian Parliament. Follow this link (Download Letter Template Word Document) to access a letter template that provides relevant information about NAFI.
Minister Contacts
We recommend that you contact the key members listed below as well as the Minister most relevant to your community or industry.
Key Ministers
- Minister for Climate Change and Energy, The Hon Chris Bowen MP
- Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy & Assistant Minister for Emergency Management, The Hon Josh Wilson MP
- Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt
Industry/Other
- Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy
- Minister for Northern Australia & Minister for Resources, The Hon Madeleine King MP
- Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Julie Collins MP
- Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator the Hon Tim Ayres
- Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Pat Conroy MP
Your Local Senator Members
Click on the links provided below to search for Senator & Member contacts: