Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research are leaving for Queensland to conduct post-disaster surveys among flood victims there.
They will join Geosciences Australia in assessing the hidden costs of the floods and deciding how to prepare for future disasters.
Natural hazards scientist Stefan Reese says the research will help scientists advise on changes to building codes, and how and where people should rebuild.
Dr Reese says says post-disaster surveys were also carried out following the September earthquake Canterbury and the 2009 tsunami in Samoa.
