Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP)

The Australian Exposure Information Platform (AEIP) reports on what is in the path, and potentially at risk, of a disaster event.

It allows users to identify the number of people, dwellings, buildings and other structures, infrastructure, and agricultural and environmental assets within a set geographic area that may be affected by a disaster event. This information can then be used by authorities to take decisive action before, during, and after a bushfire, flood, pandemic, or any other disaster event.

Reports like this used to be generated manually and would take days to produce. AEIP is simple to use, and allows anyone to generate an exposure report in minutes.

AEIP in practice

The Department of Health used AEIP to strengthen their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data available via AEIP could quickly and easily be aggregated to different scales, local government, suburb, etc. to meet the Department of Health’s changing requirements.

During the 2019–20 bushfire season (also known as ‘Black Summer’), the AEIP generated more than 14,000 exposure reports that helped support authorities to reduce loss of life and economic impacts.

For more information, see:

• Bushfire & Natural Hazard CRC Hazard note: The Australian Exposure Information Platform: uncovering national exposure
• Australian Journal Emergency Management: Uncovering exposure to natural hazards

Things to remember

AEIP reports on risk exposure, not impact. This means it shows what is potentially at risk, not damaged. As such, AEIP should not be used by individuals for safety of life decisions during an event. Always follow the advice of state emergency and fire services.