Clearing roads and debris are the most likely tasks for defence force personnel when they are deployed to north Queensland regions hit by Cyclone Debbie.
The Australian Defence Force is mobilising soldiers, vehicles, aircraft and other resources to respond to Debbie, which made landfall at 1pm AEST on the north Queensland coastline.
State Recovery Coordinator Brigadier Chris Field said the army would be well suited to the deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
"The engineering capabilities that the Australian Defence Force have are really designed to clear debris and get particularly roads open so that the community can go about their business," Brigadier Field told reporters in Townsville.
"Those capabilities are held here in Townsville and also in other parts of Australia and depending on what state and local governments need, we will apply those effects as needed."
Brigadier Field said the army also had humanitarian and disaster relief assets at its disposal should local and state authorities need them.
"As the requests come in, we assess those requests in partnership with state and local governments and determine what resources we apply against those tasks," he said.
Brigadier Field said personnel and equipment would start moving into affected areas on Wednesday morning as needs were evaluated.
HMAS Choules will also travel from Brisbane to provide humanitarian disaster relief.
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