National Welfare Coordination Group

The National Welfare Coordination Group (NWCG) represents a national-level cluster of agencies that are collectively responsible for providing strategic oversight of planning and development of integrated welfare services delivered in an emergency.

The NWCG provides coordination at the national level, and support to Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups at the regional level. The NWCG also ensures that plans are in place to support, at a national level, the coordination and effective delivery of welfare services.

The National Emergency Management Agency chairs and coordinates the NWCG and is mandated to appoint a National Welfare Manager to fulfil this function. As Chair of the NWCG, the National Welfare Manager (or appointed alternatives) reports welfare issues to the National Controller during response. During recovery, the NWCG Chair liaises with the National Recovery Manager.

Member agencies represented on the NWCG are listed in Section 14 of The Guide to the National CDEM Plan 2015. Further responsibilities and tasks of the NWCG are outlined in the Welfare Services in an Emergency Director's Guideline.