Depending on the input data available, the DTMs in FloodAUS are produced using Vertical Mapper® (an add-on program for MapInfo) and/or ANUDEM® (a product from the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies at the Australian National University, ANU). Terrain input data are generally procured from State Government Departments or Local Government Authorities.

The type of terrain input data varies from study to study. The most common formats are xyz 5m grid data and 2m digital relief contours; 0.5m and 1m contours were available for some studies, but only 5m contours or 25m grid data for others.