Step 1: the Flood Awareness Map
Brisbane City Council's Flood Awareness Map lets you search any address in the council area. It shows whether the property is affected by river, creek, storm tide or overland flow flooding, and how likely each is.
Step 2: the FloodWise Property Report
From the map, you can download a FloodWise Property Report for the property. It includes:
- A flood summary graph comparing ground level with flood levels
- Historic flood levels from January 2011 and February 2022, where available
- An aerial map and the property's planning flood overlays
- Technical detail such as ground levels and habitable floor level requirements
Reading the likelihood
Flood levels are shown by annual exceedance probability (AEP), which is the chance of a flood that size in any one year:
- 20% AEP. A regular event, roughly a one in five chance each year.
- 1% AEP. Roughly a one in 100 chance each year. This is the level used for many building and planning rules.
- 0.2% AEP. A rare event, roughly a one in 500 chance each year.
A missing flood level doesn't mean there's no risk. Overland flow, from heavy rain running across land, can affect properties well away from the river, so read the whole report.
Don't rely on the seller
Queensland's seller disclosure scheme, which started on 1 August 2025, doesn't require sellers to disclose flood history or other natural hazards. The disclosure statement simply points you to the local council. So check it yourself, and ask the agent directly whether the property was affected in 2011 or 2022. If you ask, they need to answer accurately. The building inspector and the neighbours are worth asking too.
Insurance and your loan
- Get an insurance quote early. Lenders need the home insured from settlement. In flood-prone areas, cover can be expensive, so get a quote that includes flood before your contract goes unconditional.
- Valuations. Valuers take flood risk into account, and a lower valuation can mean a bigger deposit or LMI.
- Lender policy. Some lenders are more cautious with high-risk flood areas. I'll check before you commit.
Outside Brisbane City Council
Other South East Queensland councils, including Moreton Bay, Logan, Ipswich, Redland and the Gold Coast, publish their own flood mapping. Search your council's website for its flood map before you buy. The Queensland Government's FloodCheck Queensland map is another starting point.
Questions people ask
How do I check if a Brisbane property is in a flood zone?
Search the address on Brisbane City Council's Flood Awareness Map and download the FloodWise Property Report for the details.
What does a 1% AEP flood mean?
A flood with roughly a one in 100 chance of happening in any year. It's the level used for many building and planning rules.
Do sellers have to disclose flooding in Queensland?
No. Queensland's seller disclosure scheme doesn't require sellers to disclose flood history, so check the council flood map yourself and ask the agent directly.
Can I get a home loan on a flood-prone property?
Usually, yes, but the valuation, insurance and lender policy can all be affected. Check them before your contract goes unconditional.
