Heatwaves should be categorised in a similar manner to cyclones, according to Risk Frontiers lead scientist Thomas Loridan.

Dr Loridan believes heatwaves are underestimated in terms of the threat they pose, and a new categorisation system could provide a crucial lift to awareness.

The Bureau of Meteorology classifies heatwaves as low, severe or extreme.

But Dr Loridan’s research builds on this to create five categories.

A Category 5 heatwave – an event that has occurred only three times in the past 100 years – would kill hundreds of people.

“We all have this misconception of heatwaves as not being a natural disaster,” Dr Loridan told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“But, apart from pandemics, they are the deadliest natural disaster in Australia.

“I hope we can see this system introduced in future.”