Australia is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world. 

Legislation, Codes and Standards have been developed that refer to Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA’s) and Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings and it can be confusing. 

State or Territory Legislation defines Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA’s) and refers to the National Construction Code (NCC), which in turn refers to Australian Standard AS 3959:2018 (Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas).   The construction requirements can change between the States and Territories and are guided by the resultant BAL rating as summarised below.

BAL rating

Description

BAL-LOW

Risk considered low - no additional construction requirements

BAL-12.5

Ember attack – some additional construction requirements may apply

BAL-19

Increasing levels of ember attack and windborne embers together with increasing heat – further additional requirements will likely apply

BAL-29

BAL-40

As above with increased likelihood of contact with flames or direct exposure to flames with increasing construction requirements

BAL-FZ

Always seek advice from a suitably qualified consultant, however as a guide, click on a State or Territory to learn more.

WA NT SA VIC TAS QLD NSW ACT

Western Australia

The Western Australia State Government provides an online mapping tool for determining if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA).   Unlike some other States, this tool does not provide an overview of the entire state and instead only provides information about relating to Bushfire Prone Areas at zoomed in portions of the map.

If your building is in a BPA, you are then likely required to determine the building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating.  You may be able to assess the BAL rating through a BAL assessment (basic) report.  However, you may be required to engage an appropriately qualified and experienced person (such as an accredited Level 1 BAL Assessor or Level 2 or Level 3 Bushfire Planning Practitioner) to undertake a BAL assessment.

Further details (with further links) can be found on the State Government website.

Northern Territory

At time of writing the Northern Territory has yet to update its online mapping tool to show the location of Bushfire Prone Areas (BPA).  It is unclear without this step how you might determine if your building is in a BPA and indeed how you might then determine if you are required to develop a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating for your building project.

You should seek advice from a qualified bushfire consultant for a better understanding of the processes involved.  Further details (with further links) can be found on the Territory Government website.

South Australia

The South Australian State Government provides an online mapping tool for determining if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA).  This map also provides guidance on bushfire protection area risk levels (referred to as hazard levels).  Most of South Australia has been categorised into one of these hazard levels.

South Australian legislation relating to Bushfire Prone Areas includes Ministerial Building Standard (MBS) 008.  MBS 008 provides a connection between the bushfire hazard level obtained from the online map and a corresponding BAL rating.  The table below summarises this connection.

Bushfire Hazard Level

(from online map)

Resultant BAL rating

(as described in MBS 008)

General Risk

BAL-LOW

Medium Risk

BAL-12.5

High Risk

Must assess in line with AS 3959

Urban Interface

Varies on distance from high-risk area and may need to be assessed in line with AS 3959 (check MSB 008 for details)

 

When an assessment to AS 3959 is required, the South Australian Country Fire Service undertakes the assessment as part of their Development Assessment services.  Further details (with further links) can be found on the State Government website.

Queensland

The Queensland State Government provides an online mapping tool for indicating if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA), however such areas are determined at a Local Council level.  It is recommended that you check with your Local Council to determine if your property is in a BPA.  Unlike some other States, this tool does not provide an overview of the entire state and instead checks if you are in a BPA by using the region within the state (i.e. South East Queensland).

If your building is in a BPA, you are then likely required to determine the building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating.  In Queensland, BAL ratings can be developed by a suitably experienced consultant.  Further details (with further links) can be found on the State Government website.

New South Wales

In NSW, you can check if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) by using the NSW Rural Fire Service’s online tool.  Unlike some other States, this tool does not provide an overview of the entire state and instead checks if you are in a BPA by using the properties address and provide a localised result.

If your building is in a BPA, you are then likely required to determine the building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating.  If the property is a single dwelling, you may be able to assess your BAL rating using a Single Dwelling Application Kit which would then be submitted as part of your Development Application and submitted to the relevant consent authority.  In most other cases, you may need to obtain a BAL certificate from a qualified consultant. The Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPA) provides training and accreditation for such consultants and can likely connect you with such a person.

 

Further details (with further links) can be found on the NSW Rural Fire Service website.

Victoria

The Victorian State Government provides an online mapping tool for determining if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA).  Much of Victoria has been defined as BPA.

If your building is in a BPA, you are then likely required to determine the building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating.  In Victoria, this must be undertaken by a suitably certified consultant.  The Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPA) provides training and accreditation for such consultants and can likely connect you with such a person.

Further details (with further links) can be found on the State Government website.

Tasmania

The Tasmania State Government provides an online mapping tool for determining if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA).   Unlike some other States, this tool does not provide an overview of the entire state and instead only provides information about relating to Bushfire Prone Areas at zoomed in portions of the map.

 

If your building is in a BPA, you are then likely required to determine the building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating.  When required, the Tasmania Fire Service provides accreditation for Bushfire consultants who can provide BAL assessments.   A list of accredited persons is available on the Tasmania Fire Service website.

 

Further details (with further links) can be found on the State Government website.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT Government provides an online mapping tool for determining if your building is in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA).   In addition, the ACT Government defines BPA’s as “Canberra’s built-up areas that are adjacent to forest and grassland are defined as BPAs, as is the ACT’s entire rural area”.

If your building is in a BPA, you are then likely required to determine the building’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating.  In most cases, you may need to obtain a BAL certificate from a qualified consultant. The Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPA) provides training and accreditation for such consultants and can likely connect you with such a person.

 

Further details (with further links) can be found on the ACT Government website.