FAQ's

Why has the government decided to adapt and publicly launch these materials now? Is there an increased risk of an armed attack?

  • We are providing this advice so you are prepared if there is an incident, not because we are expecting one.
    • Preparedness is not about creating alarm. It is about ensuring people have confidence in their ability to respond if something goes wrong
    • This advice applies to all sort of incidents where groups of people find themselves at risk from someone wielding a weapon.
  • Australia’s national terrorism threat level is regularly reviewed and has been set at PROBABLE since August 2024.
  • Research shows that while many people instinctively know to move away from danger, fewer are aware of other critical actions, such as silencing their phone or calling 000 when safe.
    • Exposure to Escape. Hide. Tell. messaging can significantly improve awareness and ensure people remember the steps they can take to protect themselves and those around them.
  • The adapted Escape. Hide. Tell. materials aim to ensure that guidance is fit for purpose for all Australians, including CALD and First Nations audiences, as well as those living with a disability and their carers.

What is the best source of information during an incident?

  • It is important that you follow advice from authorities and get your information from official sources.
  • For links to local advice in your state and territory visit www.nationalsecurity.gov.au
  • Follow official social media feeds from local police and emergency services.

What if you can’t Escape. first? Should you fight back or help others?

  • There may be some situations where you might not need to Escape. Hide. Tell. but if you remember these actions it will make it easier to decide what to do in an attack.
  • For instance, you may have to hide before you have the opportunity to escape. In some situations, you may still need to hide once you have escaped the immediate area.
  • All emergencies are unique and your response will depend on the individual circumstances of the attack. What is important is to be prepared to act quickly and be flexible with your plan.
  • Of course, our natural inclination as Australians is to help if others are in trouble – helping victims or helping to disarm an attacker.
  • This advice doesn’t stop people from helping if they can do so without putting themselves in danger.
  • But for the vast majority of Australians, this situation will be overwhelming and remembering Escape. Hide. Tell. will give you and those around you the best chance of survival.
    • It will make it easier to decide what to do if you find yourself under attack.

How does the Australian government prevent armed attacks?

  • The first priority of the Australian Government is to keep Australians safe – a priority shared with our partners in state and territory governments.
  • Governments across Australia work with the private sector to keep crowded places safe, and our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are committed to detecting and disrupting attack plots.
  • But the reality is that it will not always be possible to prevent attacks from occurring.
  • Not all armed attacks are linked to terrorism or violent extremism, as such there are broad preventive mechanisms and efforts across government.
  • We have robust arrangements in Australia to protect crowded places, including close cooperation between law enforcement agencies and owners and operators of venues.
  • These arrangements protect those attending specific events or attending crowded places such as sporting events or transit centres.
  • You may see increased Escape. Hide. Tell. messaging around specific events or crowded places, however it is important to remember this does not indicate an incident is expected.

Where/when will the Escape. Hide. Tell. messaging be used?

  • Day to day, some places you may see this public advice could include social media, television or video screens and posters in crowded places and transport hubs.
  • You may also see the Escape. Hide. Tell. messaging through law enforcement channels in the event of an armed attack.

Does this advice advocate assisting others (those who are injured etc) when trying to escape?

  • You should help others only if it is safe to do so. And if you choose to help others, ensure you stay aware of what is going on around you while you help them.

What are the conditions for an armed attack to be categorised as terrorism?

  • The Australian Government recognises that recent armed attacks are distressing to all involved.
    • Terrorism has a very specific definition under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). To meet the definition of terrorist act, an act or threat must be done to advance a political, religious or ideological cause with the intention of coercing or influencing by intimidation a government or intimidating the public. The act must also cause specific types of harm or damage to people, property or critical infrastructure.
  • Violent extremism is considered acts of, or support for, violence to achieve social, political or legal outcomes or in response to specific political or social grievances.

How do Australian governments respond to terrorism and armed attacks?

  • In the unlikely event of an armed attack, it is a priority of first responders in states and territories to:
    • prevent or minimise loss of life, injury, damage to property and damage or disruption to infrastructure;
    • facilitate investigations into the attack, including the prosecution of offenders;
    • and ensure that people affected by the attack are given immediate relief and support.
  • These priorities are indifferent to the cause or motivation behind a given attack, which is often identified after the fact to determine the coordination of response, investigation, and recovery efforts.
    • The Escape. Hide. Tell. materials align with these priorities, aiming to improve public understanding and confidence about what to do in the event of an attack to prevent and minimise harm.
  • A Safer Australia - Australia’s Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy 2025 outlines the steps the Australian Government is taking in partnership with states and territories to reinforce our national resilience and reduce current and future threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism.
  • The Strategy outlines the focus of efforts on three key areas of concern outlined by our security agencies, with actions designed to address the vulnerability of young people to violent extremist narratives, the growing risk of online extremism and the increasing occurrence of people embracing a mix of a diverse range of extreme ideologies.
  • This is supported by the National Counter-Terrorism Plan (the Plan), which outlines the arrangements, governance and operational responsibilities of the Australian Government and state and territory governments and agencies engaged in counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism.
    • The Plan sets out the ways Australia prepares for, responds to, investigates and recovers from terrorist acts.