Early bushfire detection could save the Australian economy $8.2 billion over the next 30 years, according to new modelling from The Australian National University (ANU).

The research, led by the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, examined how much money would be saved between 2020 and 2049 under three fire detection scenarios: a 30-minute reduction in detection time for large fires; a 60-minute reduction in detection time for large fires; and all fires, large and small, responded to within 30 minutes.

The modelling also accounts for a potential increase in bushfires due to climate change - with no growth in fires, a 15 per cent increase in fires due to climate change, and a 30 per cent increase in fires due to climate change.

The researchers found that under a high climate change scenario and if all fires were responded to within 30 minutes the economy would save $8.2 billion in 2019 terms.

Study co-author, Professor Matthew Gray, said between 2020 and 2049 bushfires were likely to cost the Australian economy up to $1.1 billion per year.

"And that's if we don't factor in a potential increase in fires due to climate change," he said.

Read the full article on the ANU website