PEOPLE have been given a how-to guide to survive a mass shooting on Australian soil as brand new Federal guidelines warn the threat remains real and persistent.

Active Shooter Guidelines for places likely to be targeted by a terrorist or deranged person, including shopping centres, transport hubs, sporting venues and entertainment precincts, have been drawn up for the first time.

Citing the Boston bombings, the shooting by Anders Breivik in Norway in 2011 and historic Australian massacres like Port Arthur, the document warns that even with strict gun laws, "active shooter mass casualty attacks in Australia remain a real and persistent threat to the community".

NSW Police fear bikie massacre

media_camera Port Arthur shooting massacre gunman Martin Bryant.

Developed by the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee, the guidelines warn there is no one recommended response to a mass shooting due to their unpredictable nature.

But it does contain three key actions potential victims should take.

Firstly, people should leave all their belongings and evacuate if it's safe to do so, avoiding elevators and visualising their escape route before they flee.

media_camera Anders Breivik, the Norway gunman who killed 77 people, sitting handcuffed and dressed as a police officer moments after his arrest. Picture: AFP

If evacuation is not possible, people should hide somewhere where they can lock the door and block the door with heavy furniture.

Windows should be covered, lights turned off, and phones put on silent.

People should also come up with a plan for if they are discovered, with violence the best course.

"This can include using or throwing available objects or using aggressive force when confronted," it says.

"Such action should only be taken as a last resort and in order to protect the life of the individual or others in that area."

The document says managers of high-risk venues need to have plans in place and practice their responses often.

Releasing the guidelines today, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the joint initiative between the Commonwealth, states and businesses would help all be better prepared for such a threat.

"Such facilities not only present potential opportunities for mass casualties, symbolic attacks and high-impact media coverage, but pose a broad range of security challenges for their owners and operators," Mr Dreyfus said.

Follow reporter Jessica Marszalek on Twitter at JessMarie_News

Originally published as How to survive a mass shooting