The realised effects of climate-driven environmental change continue to challenge Australian fisheries. Research must develop capacity for preparedness across a range of temporal scales affected by climate change, from short-term climate extremes (e.g. marine heatwaves and floods) to longer-term exposure (e.g. chronic warming). Industry-focused response plans, event-based experimental research, and correlative climate vulnerability assessments target the development of preparedness at different temporal scales. Using examples ranging from cockles to kingfish from New South Wales, this research highlights that 1. marine heatwave response plans co-developed with stakeholders can enhance capacity for climate preparedness in the near term (seasonal to sub-seasonal timeframes), 2. event-based experimental research generates a detailed understanding of impacts and capacity for climate adaptation at mid-term timeframes (i.e. annual to interannual), and 3. correlative climate vulnerability assessments are effective a delivering information for strategic investment in climate adaptation planning at longer-term scales (i.e. decadal). Research aiming to enhance climate preparedness for fisheries across a range of temporal scales should occur concurrently, but enhancing capacity to avoid near-term negative impacts will likely benefit most from targeted research on specific species or industries.