The Gold Coast Household Resilience Ratings Program empowers residents to strengthen their homes against hazards such as floods, bushfires, severe storms and cyclones. Through free assessments, homeowners receive personalised, practical guidance to reduce disaster risk and better prepare for extreme weather.

This a City of Gold Coast initiative, delivered in partnership with the Resilient Building Council.

Participants can now access:

• Free supported self-assessments for 1,000 homes using the new Resilience Ratings Home Assessment prototype – register your interest via the form above.
• Tailored Resilience Ratings Action Plan showing how homes perform against multiple hazards, and what upgrades will make the biggest impact.
• Workshops and resources for homeowners, renters, landlords, trades and community groups.

The Gold Coast is no stranger to extreme weather, from the 2023-24 Christmas severe weather events to Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025. As hazard risks increase, so does the need for proactive action.

This program empowers residents and helps provide:

• A clear picture of their home’s vulnerability
• Expert guidance on how to improve it
• Confidence to act before disaster strikes

More resilient homes mean reduced damage, faster recovery, and safer communities.

Stage 1 – Free on-site expert assessments for 40 homes.

This stage is now closed. On-site assessments were conducted during October and November 2025 by expert assessors.

Participants received their Resilience Ratings Action Plan in March 2026. A community workshop took place in May 2026 to support households through the next steps in their home resilience journey.

Stage 2 – Free supported self-assessments for 1,000 homes.

Expressions of interest for Stage 2 are now open, via the form on this page. Homes must be freestanding and in the Gold Coast LGA to be selected for participation.

Selected households will receive clear guidance and support to complete their own home assessment using the Resilience Ratings Action Plan trial. Support will include online resources and one-on-one assistance where needed — helping households confidently generate a customised Resilience Ratings Action Plan.

You’ll receive a customised report tailored to your home and local hazards, expert guidance on what to improve, and support to act on your results, including invitations to resilience workshops. Participants also help shape future insurance, finance and grant solutions.

Households who complete their home assessment will go into our Mitre 10 voucher prize draw, including 1 x $1,000 Mitre 10 voucher or 2 x $500 Mitre 10 vouchers. Households will receive one entry when they complete their Resilience Ratings Home Assessment, one extra entry for completing it within 14 days and one extra entry for each person they refer, who completes their assessment.

Through an online self-assessment tool, the Resilience Ratings Home Assessment looks at how well your home can handle hazards like floods, bushfires, severe storms and cyclones.

It checks key parts of the home – such as the roof, walls, windows, doors, floors, and essential services – as well as things around the property like sheds, fences and trees. The goal is to identify areas that are vulnerable and recommend practical, often low-cost actions that will make the biggest difference to your safety and resilience.

The Resilience Ratings were developed by the independent, not-for-profit Resilient Building Council (RBC) in partnership with leading Australian researchers, builders, engineers and disaster experts.

They are backed by decades of science, field testing, and real-world experience — and designed to provide practical, trusted guidance to help households reduce risk from floods, bushfires, severe storms and cyclones.

The Resilience Ratings Scheme is funded by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), New South Wales Government and Queensland Government, industry sponsors and is delivered with partners including Insurance Council of Australia, James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station and University of Wollongong.

The Resilience Ratings Home Assessment trial on the Gold Coast is also being refined and tested with support from NAB and IAG to help inform future resilience, insurance and finance initiatives.

Yes. Half of Australia’s insurance market already recognises certified Bushfire Resilience Ratings with premium benefits. This project expands that work to include other hazards, providing verified data to support fairer pricing.

Every home is different. Recommendations will depend on your home’s location, construction, and condition — and may range from small changes to more significant retrofits.

Common higher-impact upgrades may include:

• Strengthening the roof structure and connections
• Upgrading garage doors to cyclone-rated models
• Elevating switchboards, hot water systems or key appliances
• Replacing flammable or water-sensitive external materials
• Improving underfloor airflow or flood resistance
• Installing bushfire shutters or impact-rated glazing

Some of these actions can be planned over time or included during future renovations.

Yes. Many effective resilience actions are low-cost and practical, especially when done as part of regular maintenance or during routine upgrades and renovations.

Examples from Resilience Ratings Action Plan include:

Bushfire:

• Seal gaps around doors, windows and eaves
• Install metal mesh on vents and weepholes
• Remove flammable items from decks and within 10m of the home
• Maintain a non-combustible pathway around the home

Flood:

• Seal cracks in walls and floors
• Elevate services during minor renovations or appliance replacement
• Use water-resistant materials when replacing cabinetry or flooring
• Direct stormwater or runoff away from the house

Storm & Cyclone:

• Install window locks or storm bolts
• Reinforce or brace garage doors
• Replace rusted roof fixings
• Prune trees to reduce the risk of flying debris

These low-cost actions are a great starting point and can make a meaningful difference to your home’s safety and resilience.

By taking part, you can:

• Better understand your home’s risk
• Receive clear, trusted advice
• Take meaningful, cost-effective action
• Improve peace of mind and safety
• Contribute to national solutions for resilience and insurance
• Strengthen your community’s ability to prepare and recover

You’re not just protecting your home — you’re contributing to national data that helps develop better insurance, mortgage and retrofit programs for all Australians.

Resilience Ratings provide reliable, home-specific data that can help banks and insurers offer:

• Risk-reflective pricing
• Resilience-linked loans
• Targeted grant and support programs

Yes. The program is fully funded for up to 1,040 homes – including both expert assessments and supported self-assessments.

This is a City of Gold Coast initiative, delivered in partnership with the Resilient Building Council.

Yes. Participation is voluntary and secure. RBC does not share your personal information unless you give permission. Any case study data is de-identified and securely handled.

Read our Privacy Policy: https://rbcouncil.org/privacy-policy

Yes. Renters can complete a self-assessment, attend workshops, and share findings with landlords to encourage upgrades.

No. Always follow emergency service advice and evacuate early. A stronger home improves survivability but does not replace your evacuation plan.

You can register your interest in participating in Phase 2 via the form on this page, to complete a free Resilience Ratings Home Assessment.

Registrations are open until 30 September 2026, or when 1,000 households have completed home assessments, whichever occurs first. After registering, eligible households will be invited to participate in stages. Once invited, we encourage you to complete your Home Assessments within 14 days.

Each completed Home Assessment receives one entry into the Mitre 10 voucher prize draw, which includes one $1,000 voucher and two $500 vouchers.

You can earn additional entries by:

• Completing your Home Assessment within 14 days of receiving your invitation.
• Referring eligible households. You’ll receive one additional entry for each referred household that completes a Home Assessment.

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions: The prize draw is conducted by Resilient Building Council Ltd (RBC). The City of Gold Coast supports the Gold Coast Household Resilience Ratings Program but is not the promoter or sponsor of the prize draw. Eligible participants who complete a Resilience Rating Home Assessment by 30 October 2026, or within 14 days of receiving their invitation link (whichever applies under the program), will automatically receive one entry into the draw. Two (2) winners will each receive a $500 Mitre 10 gift voucher and one (1) winner will receive a $1,000 Mitre 10 gift voucher. Participants will receive one additional entry if they complete their assessment within 14 days of receiving their invitation, and one additional entry for each eligible household they refer that completes an assessment and identifies them as the referrer. Winners will be selected at random after the program closes, contacted using the details provided during registration, and prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Email: support@rbcouncil.org
Or speak with us at a local event.