Information for emergency services

Learn how to respond to cardholders in an emergency situation.

The National Assistance Card is a personalised communication tool to assist people with disability in a range of situations. The Card is available to autistic people and people with brain injury in Australia.

The Card includes key information about the cardholder’s unique areas of difficulty, the assistance they may need, and their emergency contact person’s details.

Why is it important to know about the Card?

People often need different types of support in an emergency or crisis situation.

The National Assistance Card helps autistic people and people with brain injury to tell you what they need in emergency situations.

It’s important you know what to do when someone shows you their National Assistance Card in an emergency.

Cardholders might use the Card in an emergency to:

  • quickly let you know what they need if they are feeling overwhelmed, confused or unsafe 
  • tell you about their unique areas of difficulty to get the help they need to feel safe
  • share details about who they want contacted. 

The information on the Card can help you decide how to manage the situation and best support the cardholder.

Downloads:

Download the National Assistance Flyer for Emergency Services

Learn how to respond

If someone shows your their National Assistance Card, you can:

  • acknowledge you recognise the Card
  • ask the cardholder how you can assist them
  • read the card
  • scan the QR code to find out more about the cardholder
  • call the cardholder’s contact person if requested or you need to.

The National Assistance Card is supported by Tasmania Police

Recognising the National Assistance Card

The Card has a distinct appearance:

  • a white background
  • a red border
  • the cardholder’s photo
  • the National Assistance Card logo.
Front of the card
Back of the card

“The National Assistance Card helps emergency service personnel administer appropriate assistance should they attend a situation where a person with disability has become distressed or overwhelmed. The card allows the person to communicate their condition when they cannot otherwise do so.”

Inspector Toohey
Tasmania Police

“Whilst my needs aren’t huge, if I fallI look like I’m drunk but at least with this Card, it will help people to understand and has details of not only my deficits but also my emergency contact details.”

Saran
Cardholder

Apply for the National Assistance Card

Applications for the National Assistance Card are now available online through the secure application portal.
How to Apply →