Best Crisis Management Consulting Services in Australia

Australia Crisis Management Consultants

When a crisis strikes, a data breach, executive scandal, or sudden operational failure, the best Australian organisations rely on seasoned crisis management partners to navigate the fallout and protect what matters most: trust, reputation, and resilience. This handpicked list showcases trusted, client-reviewed, and research-backed Australian crisis consulting providers ready to step in when the headlines break.

Methodology: How We Chose These Crisis Management Consulting Services in Australia

Each featured firm is selected for radical authenticity and proven credibility:

• 📊 Research-driven: Verified frameworks, case studies, or real-world track records.
  
  
• 💬 Client-reviewed: Trusted by boards, executives, and communication leads.
  
  
• 🇦🇺 Australia-rooted: Founded and led by experienced Australian professionals with deep local insight.

No empty hype, just genuine partners for real crises.

Meet the Australian Crisis Management Consultants Making Things Happen

Wilkinson Butler

🔗 Website: https://www.wilkinsonbutler.com/

What they do:
Wilkinson Butler is a specialist issues and crisis management firm helping clients plan for and respond to high-stakes reputational challenges. Their team navigates complex media and regulatory environments with strategic clarity.

Who they work with:
ASX-listed companies, major corporates, high-profile individuals, and boards under intense scrutiny.

Operating model:
Senior advisors deliver discreet, practical counsel, integrating crisis comms, stakeholder engagement, and litigation support.

💡 Why they stand out:

• ⚖️ Strong record in high-stakes regulatory and legal issues.
  
  
• 🗞️ Trusted media strategies for sensitive stories.
  
  
• 🤝 Senior-led, confidential advisory relationships.

Peter Wilkinson, Founder, Wilkinson Butler

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercwilkinson/

Peter Wilkinson is a respected figure in Australian crisis comms, an ex-journalist and broadcast executive turned trusted advisor to major brands and executives. He’s known for clear-headed advice, integrity under pressure, and helping boards keep public trust.

RCA Crisis Management

🔗 Website: http://crisismanagement.com.au

What they do:
RCA Crisis Management delivers specialist crisis planning, training, and live crisis response. They help organisations build readiness before disaster strikes and manage clear action when it does.

Who they work with:
Government agencies, corporates, emergency services, and high-risk industries.

Operating model:
Practical workshops, simulations, and embedded incident management support.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧩 Proven scenario planning and testing frameworks.
  
  
• 🚨 24/7 crisis response for urgent incidents.
  
  
• 📚 Known for hands-on crisis readiness training.

Ross Campbell, Founder, RCA Crisis Management

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-campbell-19356652/

Ross Campbell has decades of experience in crisis management and risk planning for large Australian organisations. His calm, methodical approach has helped many navigate worst-case scenarios with confidence and clarity.

Pure Public Relations

🔗 Website: http://www.purepublicrelations.com.au/

What they do:
Pure Public Relations supports brands facing sudden reputational challenges from media crises to stakeholder missteps. They craft credible messaging and guide spokespeople through turbulent moments.

Who they work with:
SMEs, charities, startups, and purpose-driven organisations.

Operating model:
Founder-led, boutique support combining PR strategy and live crisis comms.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🗣️ Known for authentic, values-based comms under pressure.
  
  
• 💬 Practical media coaching for spokespeople.
  
  
• 🤝 Personalised service for lean teams and nonprofits.

Phoebe Netto, Founder, Pure Public Relations

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebenetto/

Phoebe Netto is a vocal advocate for clear, ethical PR. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped countless brands manage negative media and rebuild trust through honesty and smart communication.

Escalate Consulting Pty Ltd

🔗 Website: https://www.escalateconsulting.com.au/

What they do:
Escalate Consulting focuses on risk and crisis leadership, offering strategy, training, and operational support when organisations face critical threats.

Who they work with:
Large corporations, infrastructure firms, energy and resources, and regulated sectors.

Operating model:
Crisis planning, table-top exercises, and real-time crisis leadership embedding.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧭 Practical crisis leadership at executive level.
  
  
• ⚙️ Combines risk, continuity, and comms disciplines.
  
  
• 🧑‍🏫 Strong training reputation for large teams.

Simon Petie, Founder, Escalate Consulting Pty Ltd

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-petie-90061ba3/

Simon Petie has over 20 years of experience guiding Australian firms through high-risk operational and reputational events. His style is methodical, senior-level, and deeply collaborative with leadership teams.

Arcis Advisory Pty Limited

🔗 Website: https://arcisadvisory.com.au/about/

What they do:
Arcis Advisory provides strategic counsel in issues management, crisis response, and government relations. They help clients manage complex stakeholder environments when the spotlight is harsh.

Who they work with:
Boards, public sector, and regulated industries.

Operating model:
Discreet, high-trust senior advisory embedded with leadership teams.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧩 Integrates policy, regulation, and crisis strategy.
  
  
• 📑 Respected for discreet handling of politically sensitive issues.
  
  
• 🤝 High-level board and executive engagement.

Marcus Ayres, Founder, Arcis Advisory Pty Limited

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-ayres-4b77b3b0/

Marcus Ayres is a trusted issues management and government relations advisor. With decades of experience in politics and corporate comms, he’s known for helping brands navigate crises in the public and policy spotlight.

JACOR Consulting

🔗 Website: https://www.jacor.com.au/

What they do:
JACOR Consulting delivers crisis communications, incident response, and business continuity planning for Australian businesses facing complex risk events.

Who they work with:
Utilities, local councils, industrial sectors, and large corporations.

Operating model:
Bespoke frameworks, training, and live incident support.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧰 Combines continuity planning with reputation management.
  
  
• 🚨 Rapid-response incident teams.
  
  
• 🗂️ Proven playbooks for high-risk sectors.

Jason Ryan, Founder, JACOR Consulting

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ryan-3197b333/

Jason Ryan is known for his practical approach to continuity and crisis response. His frameworks and training sessions are trusted by large Australian organisations to keep operations stable when crises unfold.

Crisis Compass

🔗 Website: https://www.crisiscompass.com.au/about

What they do:
Crisis Compass helps organisations plan for crises and respond with clarity when they strike with a focus on crisis comms, stakeholder management, and recovery.

Who they work with:
Corporates, schools, local councils, and healthcare.

Operating model:
Digital tools, scenario planning, and on-call crisis advisory.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🧭 Innovative digital tools for crisis readiness.
  
  
• 🗣️ Clear frameworks for stakeholder messaging.
  
  
• 📚 Training and resources tailored for Australian clients.

James Neilson, CPP, Founder, Crisis Compass

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-neilson-cpp-03227b14b/

James Neilson, CPP, has extensive security and crisis management credentials. He’s known for bridging physical security with crisis comms, helping organisations plan for the worst while communicating with credibility.

The Drill Crisis

🔗 Website: https://www.thedrill.com.au/

What they do:
The Drill delivers specialist crisis simulations, training, and comms support to prepare organisations for real-world reputational challenges.

Who they work with:
Corporates, government agencies, and high-profile organisations needing realistic, stress-tested crisis rehearsals.

Operating model:
Tailored crisis drills, simulations, and follow-up strategy sessions.

💡 Why they stand out:

• 🎯 Australia’s first specialist crisis simulation agency.
  
  
• 🧪 Realistic, immersive exercises that expose gaps.
  
  
• 🔬 Actionable insights to sharpen crisis readiness.

Gerry McCusker, Founder, The Drill Crisis

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrymccuskermscpr/?originalSubdomain=au

Gerry McCusker is a veteran PR strategist and author focused on crisis simulation and preparation. He’s widely respected for pushing Australian brands to stress-test their response in a safe but realistic way.

In Closing

When crises strike, having the right guidance can mean the difference between recovery and ruin. Australia’s best crisis management consulting services offer proactive strategies, clear communication, and unwavering support to help organizations navigate turbulent times. These experts don’t just manage emergencies, they build long-term resilience. The crisis consultancies above are proven partners delivering practical frameworks, tested training, and calm counsel when it’s needed most. Investing in the right partner today ensures you're prepared for whatever tomorrow brings.

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Stay prepared, stay protected, partner with professionals who know how to lead in a crisis. Find them now at Digital Reference, because every smart move starts here.