Emergency Services Guide for Chinese Australians
Know who to call in an emergency. Triple zero, police, ambulance, fire and when to use each service.
Emergency Numbers
In Australia, the emergency number is 000 (triple zero). This is different from China (110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance). In Australia, one number connects you to all emergency services. You can also dial 112 from a mobile phone (international standard). Understanding when and how to use emergency services could save your life or your familys life.
| Number | Service | When to Call | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | Police, Fire, Ambulance | Life-threatening emergency, crime in progress, fire | Free from any phone |
| 112 | Emergency (mobile only) | Same as 000 — works even without SIM card | Free |
| 131 444 | Police non-emergency | Report a crime already happened, property theft, noise complaint | Local call rate |
| 132 500 | SES (State Emergency Service) | Flood, storm damage, fallen trees, rescue from water | Local call rate |
| 131 126 | Poisons Information | Poisoning, medication overdose, chemical exposure | Free |
| 1800 022 222 | Healthdirect (nurse hotline) | Medical advice — not sure if you need emergency care | Free |
| 13 11 14 | Lifeline (mental health crisis) | Suicide prevention, emotional distress, crisis support | Free |
What Happens When You Call 000
- Operator answers and asks: Police, Fire, or Ambulance?
- State which service you need (say the word clearly)
- You are connected to that service in your state
- They will ask: What is your location? What is happening?
- Stay on the line — they will guide you through what to do
- If you cannot speak English well, say your language name and an interpreter will be connected (say "Mandarin" or "Cantonese")
Key Differences from China
- Ambulance costs money: Unlike China where ambulances are relatively cheap, Australian ambulances cost $400-1,200 in most states (free in QLD and TAS). Private health insurance or ambulance membership ($50-90/year) covers this.
- Police are trusted: Australian police are generally professional and trustworthy. Do not attempt to negotiate or offer payments — this is considered bribery and is a criminal offence.
- Fire safety is critical: Australian homes are often made of wood and brick, not concrete like Chinese apartments. House fires spread extremely fast. Every home must have working smoke alarms — check batteries every 6 months.
- Natural disasters: Australia has bushfires, floods, cyclones, and severe storms. Download the Fires Near Me and Bureau of Meteorology apps for real-time alerts.
- Beach safety: Always swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches. Rip currents kill more Australians than sharks, floods, cyclones, and bushfires combined. If caught in a rip, swim parallel to the beach — not toward shore.
Save These Numbers: Add 000, 131 444, 132 500, and 1800 022 222 to your phone contacts now. In an emergency, you may not remember these numbers. Teach your children to dial 000 and state their address. If you have elderly parents visiting on a parent visa, ensure they know 000 is the emergency number and can state their address in English. Consider printing an emergency information card in both English and Chinese to keep in wallets.