The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe-heatwave warning for large parts of Western Australia from 18–21 January 2026, covering the South Interior, Central West and Lower West districts. Temperatures are forecast to soar well above 45 °C in some inland areas while coastal centres such as Perth are expected to experience consecutive days over 40 °C. The warning, published via ABC Emergency at 05:53 AWST on 18 January, urges travellers to plan for extreme conditions and to monitor local advice as the situation evolves.(abc.net.au)
For corporate mobility managers the alert raises immediate duty-of-care considerations. Extended runway-temperature limits at Perth, Geraldton and regional airports may force airlines to impose weight restrictions or schedule changes, potentially delaying fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) rosters for resources projects. Road closures are also possible as asphalt softens and bush-fire risk escalates, complicating ground transfers between mine sites, project offices and accommodation hubs.
If your teams still need to obtain, extend or replace Australian visas during this heatwave, VisaHQ can streamline the process without additional exposure to the harsh conditions. Through its Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), the platform offers fully digital visa processing, document pickup and delivery, and real-time status updates—minimising the need for in-person visits while keeping assignees and mobility managers informed.
![Severe Heatwave Triggers Travel and Health Alerts Across Western Australia]()
International assignees unfamiliar with Australian summers face heightened health risks, particularly dehydration and heat stroke. Companies are being advised to circulate heat-safety guidance, ensure adequate supplies of potable water at remote sites and confirm that accommodation is equipped with functioning air-conditioning and back-up power. Travellers transiting through Perth should allow extra connection time in case of tarmac holds or operational delays.
The Western Australian Department of Health recommends rescheduling non-essential outdoor work, checking that travel insurance covers medical evacuation from remote locations and downloading the “Emergency WA” app for real-time alerts. Mobility teams should also review evacuation plans for vulnerable employees and confirm that vendor contracts (e.g., shuttle operators, serviced apartments) include contingency protocols for extreme-heat events.
While the heatwave is expected to ease mid-week as a trough moves south-east, meteorologists warn that extreme conditions could return later in the month. Businesses with exposure to Western Australia are therefore urged to maintain elevated monitoring and to brief travellers accordingly.
For corporate mobility managers the alert raises immediate duty-of-care considerations. Extended runway-temperature limits at Perth, Geraldton and regional airports may force airlines to impose weight restrictions or schedule changes, potentially delaying fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) rosters for resources projects. Road closures are also possible as asphalt softens and bush-fire risk escalates, complicating ground transfers between mine sites, project offices and accommodation hubs.
If your teams still need to obtain, extend or replace Australian visas during this heatwave, VisaHQ can streamline the process without additional exposure to the harsh conditions. Through its Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), the platform offers fully digital visa processing, document pickup and delivery, and real-time status updates—minimising the need for in-person visits while keeping assignees and mobility managers informed.
International assignees unfamiliar with Australian summers face heightened health risks, particularly dehydration and heat stroke. Companies are being advised to circulate heat-safety guidance, ensure adequate supplies of potable water at remote sites and confirm that accommodation is equipped with functioning air-conditioning and back-up power. Travellers transiting through Perth should allow extra connection time in case of tarmac holds or operational delays.
The Western Australian Department of Health recommends rescheduling non-essential outdoor work, checking that travel insurance covers medical evacuation from remote locations and downloading the “Emergency WA” app for real-time alerts. Mobility teams should also review evacuation plans for vulnerable employees and confirm that vendor contracts (e.g., shuttle operators, serviced apartments) include contingency protocols for extreme-heat events.
While the heatwave is expected to ease mid-week as a trough moves south-east, meteorologists warn that extreme conditions could return later in the month. Businesses with exposure to Western Australia are therefore urged to maintain elevated monitoring and to brief travellers accordingly.
