What Is AIIMS? Understanding Australia’s Incident Management System

Key Takeaways

• AIIMS is the standard incident management system in Australia and New Zealand, used to coordinate multi-agency emergency responses.
• It provides a common structure for command, control, coordination, and communication, allowing agencies to work together effectively during incidents.
• The system is built around five functional areas: Incident Control, Planning, Operations, Logistics, and Public Information. 
• AIIMS operates using five core principles: management by objectives, functional management, span of control, flexibility, and unity of command. 
• AIIMS is scalable across three levels of complexity, from Level 1 with a single incident controller to Level 2 with partial incident management team activation and Level 3 with a full multi-agency incident management team response. 
• It enables clear roles, structured decision-making, and faster coordination across emergency services and supporting agencies.
• The system is similar to ICS but adapted for Australasian use, with differences in structure and terminology.
• The 2025 update strengthens multi-agency coordination and Incident Action Plan (IAP) requirements for complex incidents.
• Role identification tools (e.g., vests and tabards) support fast recognition of command roles in active incidents.

AIIMS (Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System) is the nationally adopted incident management framework used across Australia and New Zealand. It provides a standard structure for command, control, coordination, and communication during emergencies such as bushfires, floods, hazardous material incidents, industrial emergencies, and large-scale planned operations.

The system allows multiple agencies to work under a single incident management structure using shared terminology, defined responsibilities, and a common Incident Action Plan (IAP) process.

AIIMS is used by:

• Fire and emergency services
• Police and SES
• Local government emergency management teams
• Utilities and infrastructure operators
• Mining and industrial response teams

AIIMS Quick Reference

What does AIIMS stand for?

AIIMS stands for the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System.

What are the 5 functional areas of AIIMS?

AIIMS is structured around five functional areas:

1. Incident Control
2. Planning
3. Operations
4. Logistics
5. Public Information

What are the 5 key principles of AIIMS?

The five key principles of AIIMS are:

• Management by objectives
• Functional management
• Span of control
• Flexibility
• Unity of command

What are the three AIIMS incident levels?

• Level 1: Single controller, low complexity
• Level 2: Partial Incident Management Team (IMT)
• Level 3: Full multi-agency IMT activation

What will using AIIMS in incident management enable?

AIIMS enables multiple agencies to coordinate under a single command structure using shared objectives, consistent terminology, and clear communication pathways.

What Does AIIMS Stand For?

The framework was developed to create a consistent approach to incident management across Australia and New Zealand. It is maintained by AFAC (Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council) and is based on the same foundational concepts as the US Incident Command System (ICS), adapted for Australasian emergency management environments.

AIIMS supports an all-hazards approach and is used during:

• Bushfires
• Floods
• Structural fires
• Hazardous material incidents
• Industrial emergencies
• Search and rescue operations
• Major planned events

The Five Functional Areas of AIIMS

AIIMS uses five functional areas to organise an Incident Management Team (IMT). These functions define how responsibilities are divided during an emergency response. 

1. Incident Control

The Incident Controller has overall responsibility for managing the incident.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting incident objectives
• Approving the Incident Action Plan (IAP)
• Coordinating agencies and resources
• Maintaining responder safety
• Overseeing public warnings and strategic decisions

AIIMS operates on unity of command, meaning there is one designated Incident Controller at any point in time.

2. Planning

The planning function manages intelligence, forecasting, and incident documentation.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparing the Incident Action Plan
• Tracking incident development
• Maintaining situation awareness
• Coordinating information flow
• Managing shift handovers and documentation

Planning supports decision-making by maintaining the shared operational picture used across the IMT.

3. Operations

Operations is responsible for implementing the response strategy in the field.

The operations officer coordinates:

• Field personnel
• Divisions and sectors
• Tactical deployment
• Resource tasking
• Operational progress reporting

This function converts incident objectives into operational action.

4. Logistics

Logistics provides the resources and support systems required to sustain the response.

This may include:

• Personnel support
• Equipment
• Communications systems
• Fuel and food
• Facilities and accommodation
• Transport and supply coordination

During prolonged incidents, logistics becomes critical to maintaining operational continuity.

5. Public Information

Public information is responsible for warnings, media communication, and community information.

This function was formally added following recommendations from the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

Responsibilities include:

• Public warnings
• Media liaison
• Community updates
• Information coordination
• Stakeholder communication

The addition of Public Information recognised that effective emergency management depends on both operational response and accurate public communication.

AIIMS Principles vs Functional Areas

AIIMS principles and functional areas are often confused, but they serve different purposes.

AIIMS Principles

The principles define how the system operates:

• Management by objectives
• Functional management
• Span of control
• Flexibility
• Unity of command

Functional Areas

The functional areas define how the Incident Management Team is organised:

• Control
• Planning
• Operations
• Logistics
• Public Information

The principles guide behaviour and decision-making. The functions define the operational structure.

AIIMS Incident Classification: Level 1, 2 and 3

AIIMS scales according to incident complexity. 

An incident can escalate between levels as conditions change. 

Level 1

A Level 1 incident is contained and low in complexity. A single incident controller manages all functional responsibilities, delegating only where necessary. Most routine workplace incidents and minor emergency situations operate at this level. The incident can typically be resolved within a single operational period.

Level 2

A Level 2 incident involves greater complexity, more resources, and commonly extends across more than one operational period. The Incident Controller activates selected functional roles within the IMT, either partially or fully, depending on incident demands. Structured documentation, a formal IAP, and cross-agency coordination are all required.

Level 3

A Level 3 incident is large-scale and typically runs over multiple days or weeks. All functional areas are fully staffed. Formal handover briefings, shift management protocols, and rigorous documentation are operational requirements. State and national coordination arrangements may be activated. The IAP, the communications plan, and the resource register are all running at capacity.

Updates: What Changed in the AIIMS 2025 Edition

The AIIMS 2025 edition, published in October 2025 and endorsed by the AFAC Council, replaces AIIMS 2017 as the incident control system used by fire, emergency service, and land management agencies across Australia.

The five functional areas, established in the 2011 Third Edition, remain the structural foundation. The 2025 update concentrates on how those functions operate together in complex, cross-jurisdictional responses.

Unity of command in multi-organisation responses

The edition provides clearer guidance on maintaining unity of command when multiple organisations operate under a single IMT. This addresses recurring challenges in large-scale incidents where state agencies, Commonwealth resources, and private sector operators work in parallel with distinct internal command structures.

Revised Incident Action Plan requirements

The IAP requirements have been updated to clearly define what must be included in each operational period plan, along with improved guidance on information flow between Planning and Operations during active incidents.

Operational impact

For organisations specifying incident management equipment, including role identification vests and tabards, the 2025 edition is the current reference standard. Any systems or documentation aligned to pre-2017 frameworks should be reviewed to confirm they remain consistent with current role designations and functional structure.

How AIIMS Works During Real Incidents 

AIIMS is designed to make command structures immediately understandable during active incidents.

In a Level 3 response, personnel from multiple organisations may operate together inside an Incident Control Centre or forward command post. Fire agencies, police, SES, councils, utilities providers, and industrial response teams may all work under the same incident management team structure.

Clear role identification becomes operationally important in these environments.

Why role identification matters

During a major incident:

• Crews need to identify reporting lines quickly
• Liaison officers need to locate decision-makers.
• Agencies need immediate visibility of command roles
• Information must move efficiently between functions

AIIMS role identification vests and tabards support this by making key functional roles visible at a glance.

The Incident Controller, Planning Officer, Operations Officer, Logistics Officer, and Public Information Officer can be immediately identified within the incident management environment.

This improves:

• Command visibility
• Information flow
• Coordination speed
• Accountability
• Multi-agency interoperability

What Does Using AIIMS in Incident Management Enables 

Cross-agency coordination

AIIMS allows agencies with different structures and terminology to operate under a common incident management framework.

Scalability

The same framework applies across Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 incidents, allowing personnel to scale operations without changing systems.

Accountability

AIIMS establishes clear reporting lines, defined responsibilities, and documented decision-making processes.

Faster decision-making

When command structures are clearly defined, operational decisions can be made and communicated more efficiently.

AIIMS Versus ICS: What Is the Difference?

Many people researching AIIMS also encounter the US Incident Command System (ICS). The two systems share common principles and historical roots, but they are not identical.

ICS, as used in the United States under FEMA’s National Incident Management System (NIMS), is built around four primary sections:

• Operations
• Planning
• Logistics
• Finance/Administration

Command sits above these sections as a separate function.

AIIMS adapts the ICS model for the Australasian context. Key differences include:

• Finance is incorporated within the Logistics function, rather than operating as a standalone section
• AIIMS uses five functional areas: Control, Planning, Operations, Logistics, and Public Information
• Terminology is aligned to Australian and New Zealand emergency services practice

Despite structural differences, both systems are built on the same foundations:

• Management by objectives
• Unity of command
• Functional organisational structure
• Scalability across incident levels

Personnel trained in ICS will find AIIMS familiar but not identical. The structural distinctions become important when:

• Configuring an Incident Management Team (IMT)
• Procuring role identification gear
• Developing internal incident management documentation

Incident Vests and Tabards for Your IMT

AIIMS relies on rapid role recognition during active incidents. Role identification vests and tabards help establish clear command visibility across incident management teams operating in dynamic, multi-agency environments.

Reflective Fabrications manufactures incident management vests and tabards in Melbourne for emergency management, industrial, and operational response applications.

Custom options on vests are available for

• Functional role labelling
• Agency branding
• Colour coding
• Reflective compliance requirements
• Operational deployment needs

With over 35 years of manufacturing experience and in-house production capability, turnaround times and quality control remain consistent across all incident management products.

AIIMS stands for the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System. It is the nationally adopted framework used in Australia and New Zealand to coordinate multi-agency emergency response through a standard command and control structure.

Talk to our team about your incident management requirements or view the full incident and emergency range here.