Wednesday 7 January, 2026
For immediate release
Australians will suffer under extreme heat over the coming days, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of the most significant heatwave to hit south-eastern Australia in six years. Large parts of the country are facing multi-day temperatures well above average, with dangerous heat compounding fire danger across already dry landscapes and posing risks to all Australians, with outdoor workers, young children, the elderly and people on low incomes and those experiencing homelessness particularly vulnerable.
This heatwave is not an anomaly, it reflects a clear trend of heatwaves reaching higher temperatures and lasting longer as climate pollution from burning coal, oil and gas continues to overheat the planet.
Every fraction of warming we prevent matters, and doctors, heat experts and parents warn that without faster cuts to climate pollution, more Australians will be exposed to dangerous heat that increases hospital admissions, strains emergency services and makes extreme weather harder for families to cope with.
For more information on the impacts of heatwaves and extreme heat, you can read the Climate Council’s extreme heat factsheet from October 2025 here.
Leading health, housing and sport experts below are available for interview – to arrange interviews or be connected with case studies of Australians living in hot suburbs and homes, please contact:
Gabrielle Platt on 0493 442 307 or [email protected]
Sean Kennedy on 0447 121 378 or [email protected]
Emma Bacon, Executive Director of Sweltering Cities said:
“This week millions of people in hot homes, workplaces, suburbs, and towns are facing dangerous heat. People with kids will be worried about whether they can play outside safely. Older adults, people in hot homes, and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses are going to be facing isolation, anxiety and sleepless nights. Too many of us will be worried about whether we can afford to keep cool.
“As temperatures rise, more and more of us will be affected and more people will get sick. We need to act now for safe homes, cooler suburbs, and to turn off the oven heating up our planet and stop approving new coal and gas mines.”
Dr Kim Loo, GP and Chair of Asian Australians for Climate Solutions and Board Member of Doctors for the Environment Australia, said:
“It is critical that we prepare our homes and our families during heatwaves. If you have elderly or disabled relatives living alone, it is important that you know they are safe. Keep adequate water out for pets and wildlife. During the heat of the day don’t go out. Plan anything active during the cool or the morning and evening. If you have to go out, plan ahead, wear a hat and sunblock and carry adequate water. If you work outside and have no choice about the timing of your work, speak with your bosses to see their heat plan, and whether you can alter the timing of your job. Protect yourself and take enough water to keep well hydrated and have adequate breaks in the shade.
“I sent three patients to hospital in heat waves last year with acute renal failure from dehydration. Make sure you have adequate ice and cold water. Have an esky ready in case there is a power outage. Have ingredients that you can put together for a meal and not have to cook. Talk to your doctor about your medications. If you have a fluid restriction for heart failure, talk to your doctor.
“As we get more prolonged and severe heat waves, the whole community needs to work together, including the built and transport infrastructure to protect people. Not cook them. We need to know the people living in precarity and isolation. No one should die in a heat wave.
“As emissions rise due to worsening climate change, we need meaningful actions and policies to reduce carbon pollution.”
Nicola Barr, St Kilda AFLW player said:
“When heatwaves like these pop up, it's always really scary and is a reminder of what could become more common if we don't do more to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
“As an athlete and as someone who loves sport (particularly with the cricket on at the moment!) I'm really worried about what extreme heat means for the sports we love playing, watching, and being involved in here in Australia.
“As an athlete with the resources to adapt, I'm lucky to have lots of support. But I'm really concerned about what it means for young kids who love getting outside on the weekends, and what the future of sport for generations to come will look like.”
Rhydian Cowley, Australian Olympic racewalking medallist, said:
“Every single major championship I have competed at since 2019 has faced extreme heat challenges – that's six in a row. No matter how well you prepare, extreme heat is a threat to your wellbeing, as I found in 2023 when I experienced heat stroke while competing in Budapest. Extreme heat is already impacting sport on the regular, and while we continue burning fossil fuels, extreme heat will become more frequent, and more extreme. We need to pick up the pace on climate action together to keep sport safe.
“This week's forecast gives me flashbacks to Black Summer, where my usual summer training preparations had to be relocated, and training sessions had to be ready to be rescheduled to adjust quickly to the extreme heat days and the everpresent smoke. Extreme heat makes it harder to exercise, and harder to recover, harder to stay safe and enjoy the outdoors, even if you're an elite athlete.”
Contact details:
To arrange interviews or be connected with case studies of Australians living in hot suburbs and homes, please contact:
Gabrielle Platt on 0493 442 307 or [email protected]
Sean Kennedy on 0447 121 378 or [email protected]
