Portfolio: Stronger Communities
https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/
$180M
NSW 2025-26 Budget$120M
2024-25 Total Revenue500
Headcount (2024-25)12 tagged
Reform proposals on YourGov that name this department as a delivery partner — drawn from citizen voice, government strategy, research, international examples and gap analysis.
STRATEGY SUMMARY
Saving lives and creating safer communities Saving lives - There is nothing more important than the lives around us and saving those who require our assistance. Creating safer communities - Supporting communities in preparation for, and during flood, storm and tsunami. The community is at the heart of everything we do. We want to work with communities so they can recognise their risks and build resilience [AR p.10]
VISION
“A trusted volunteer-based emergency service, working together to deliver excellence in community preparedness and emergency response [AR p.10]”
PURPOSE
Saving lives and creating safer communities Saving lives - There is nothing more important than the lives around us and saving those who require our assistance. Creating safer communities - Supporting communities in preparation for, and during flood, storm and tsunami. The community is at the heart of everything we do. We want to work with communities so they can recognise their risks and build resilience [AR p.10]
Strategic priorities
· 3
Strategic Priority 1 – Our People
Strategic Priority 2 – Our Community
Strategic Priority 3 – Our Capability
Outcomes
· 3
Strategic Priority 1 – Our People
Our Goals 1.1 Embed our safe, inclusive and ethical culture Invest in mental health and wellbeing strategies to support our members as they operate in an increasingly complex environment Embed ethical, inclusive and values-led behaviours, recognising we aspire to be as diverse as the communities we represent and serve Enhance our organisational approach to safety, continuous learning and empowerment 1.2 Enhance our own capabilities and behaviours Deliver leadership, command and management programs to develop and support current and future leaders Ensure talent and succession planning is developed and embedded Provide opportunities for professional and personal skills development for our people Demonstrate accountability and good governance across our service 1.3 Promote our volunteering ethos Deliver a contemporary volunteering strategy that positions us for the future by continually improving how we recruit, retain and recognise all our members Identify ways to promote greater connectivity, trust and collaboration across all areas of our service [AR p.18]
KEY ACTIVITIES
Strategic Priority 2 – Our Community
Our Goals 2.1 Build on existing community resilience through targeted needs-based community engagement Update and implement our community engagement strategy Further develop and implement a consistent approach to prioritising engagement activities 2.2 Deliver a contemporary and collaborative approach to flood planning and preparedness Implement a contemporary community-focused flood planning framework Prioritise the review and update of existing flood plans Engage with consent and planning authorities to influence development decisions in key flood-prone areas 2.3 Raise the profile of NSW SES through effective public promotion and dissemination of information Review, develop and distribute tailored and timely information and warnings using contemporary approaches Partner with agencies to improve the delivery of targeted public information and awareness campaigns Implement media messaging that focuses on the mission of the NSW SES [AR p.18]
KEY ACTIVITIES
Strategic Priority 3 – Our Capability
Our Goals 3.1 Strengthen capability to remain ready and equipped to manage emergencies Enhance training to strengthen our capability as the combat agency for flood, storm and tsunami Implement risk-based targeted development and skill retention pathways for members Make informed capital investments and develop strategic facilities and equipment management plans to support a collaborative, technology-driven future Ensure we are future ready through sustainable resource planning and efficient asset management Embed the Capability Framework and implement improved capability planning processes 3.2 Enhance systems and processes so they are responsive, integrated and efficient Enable members through technology that enhances the way they access and use information Ensure our integrated systems and processes are contemporary, compliant, fit for purpose, secure and easily adaptable to change Ensure our policies and procedures are focused on the end user and aligned with our systems and processes [AR p.19]
KEY ACTIVITIES
Values
· 7
TRUST
ACCOUNTABILITY
RESPECT
PROFESSIONALISM
SAFETY
INTEGRITY
SERVICE
Performance measures
· 5
| Code | Measure | Target 2025-26 | Latest result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CCE01 | Number of flood rescues | 800 | 900 Annual Report 2024-25 · p.24 | Achieved |
CCE02 | Number of severe weather incidents responded to | 10,000 | 11,000 Annual Report 2024-25 · p.24 | Achieved |
CCE03 | Number of community engagement events | 700 | 650 Annual Report 2024-25 · p.24 | Partially achieved |
CCE04 | Percentage of community members trained in flood preparedness | 75% | 70% Annual Report 2024-25 · p.24 | Partially achieved |
CCE05 | Number of partnerships established | 150 | 140 Annual Report 2024-25 · p.24 | Achieved |
Source documents
· 17
2024-25
NSW SES annual report 2024-2025
Open
2023-24
NSW SES annual report 2023-2024
Open
2015-16
NSW SES annual report 2015-2016
Open
2014-15
NSW SES annual report 2014-2015
Open
2013-14
NSW SES annual report 2013-2014
Open
2025
When to call 132 500 DL Flyer
Open
Pets emergency plan and grab and go bag fact sheet download
Open
NSW SES Emergency Kit Checklist flyer download
Open
Easy Read Emergency Checklist open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read Flood Warnings open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read Before a Flood open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read During a Flood open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read After a Flood open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read Storm Warnings open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read Before a Storm open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read During a Storm open_in_new east
Open
Easy Read After a Storm open_in_new east
Open
Ideas distilled from this entity's strategy & evidence
· 12
Plain-language service pages and proactive status updates
Rewrite high-volume pages and letters into plain language, add status notifications, and measure contact reduction.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Single front door for life-event based services
Bundle services around life events so citizens can complete related steps across agencies in one journey.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Recommendation tracker for audits, reviews, and inquiries
Publish a single internal tracker for audit/review recommendations, owners, due dates, and implementation evidence.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
Integrated assurance and lessons-learned system
Create an assurance system that connects audit findings, risk registers, delivery reviews, and investment decisions.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
Consultation feedback summaries with response tracking
Summarise consultation submissions by theme and publish what changed in response.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Always-on policy participation platform
Create a standing participation platform where citizens and stakeholders can propose, vote, and track ideas.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Regulatory burden scan for forms, guidance, and reporting
Identify the top 10 highest-friction reporting obligations and simplify guidance, forms, or evidence requirements.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Adaptive regulation program with live feedback loops
Create an adaptive regulation model using sandboxes, industry data, risk scoring, and regular rule updates.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Reusable briefing and summary assistant for internal documents
Create controlled templates for summarising reports, submissions, minutes, and ministerial briefs.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
Department-wide knowledge and briefing platform
Build a secure knowledge platform that lets staff search, summarise, and cite approved departmental material.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
KPI evidence register with named owners
Create a simple register mapping each KPI to source data, owner, frequency, target, and last result.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Outcome dashboard linking budget, delivery, and public impact
Build a public-facing outcome dashboard showing spend, outputs, outcomes, and delivery confidence.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Plain-language service pages and proactive status updates
Rewrite high-volume pages and letters into plain language, add status notifications, and measure contact reduction.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Single front door for life-event based services
Bundle services around life events so citizens can complete related steps across agencies in one journey.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Recommendation tracker for audits, reviews, and inquiries
Publish a single internal tracker for audit/review recommendations, owners, due dates, and implementation evidence.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
Integrated assurance and lessons-learned system
Create an assurance system that connects audit findings, risk registers, delivery reviews, and investment decisions.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
Consultation feedback summaries with response tracking
Summarise consultation submissions by theme and publish what changed in response.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Always-on policy participation platform
Create a standing participation platform where citizens and stakeholders can propose, vote, and track ideas.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Regulatory burden scan for forms, guidance, and reporting
Identify the top 10 highest-friction reporting obligations and simplify guidance, forms, or evidence requirements.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Adaptive regulation program with live feedback loops
Create an adaptive regulation model using sandboxes, industry data, risk scoring, and regular rule updates.
nswses_annual_report_2015_16_8mb.pdf)
Reusable briefing and summary assistant for internal documents
Create controlled templates for summarising reports, submissions, minutes, and ministerial briefs.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
Department-wide knowledge and briefing platform
Build a secure knowledge platform that lets staff search, summarise, and cite approved departmental material.
nsw-ses-annual-report-2023-2024.pdf)
KPI evidence register with named owners
Create a simple register mapping each KPI to source data, owner, frequency, target, and last result.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Outcome dashboard linking budget, delivery, and public impact
Build a public-facing outcome dashboard showing spend, outputs, outcomes, and delivery confidence.
nswses_annual_report_2013_14_6mb.pdf)
Source library
· 22
16.7MB
2024-25.pdf
17.6MB
2023-24.pdf
8.3MB
2015-16.pdf
4.9MB
2014-15.pdf
19.5MB
2013-14.pdf
763KB
ins9832_2_flood_events_6pp_lower_hawkesbury_v9.pdf
633KB
ins9832_2_flood_events_6pp_penrith_v9.pdf
752KB
ins9832_2_flood_events_6pp_richmond_windsor_v8.pdf
640KB
ins9832_2_flood_events_6pp_south_eastern_creek_v9.pdf
641KB
ins9832_2_flood_events_6pp_wallacia_v8.pdf
105KB
2025-when-to-call-dl-digital-accessible.pdf
972KB
pets-emergency-plan-x-grab-go-a4-factsheet-digital-1.pdf
Bodies within the Stronger Communities portfolio