Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the bushfires.

The rate of AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with​ the Department of Human Services for a period up to six months.

AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or are the immediate family members of a person who has died, as a direct result of the bushfires.

You have until 8 May 2020 to lodge a claim for AGDRP in the local government areas of Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Walcha.

For more information on eligibility, visit the Department of Human Services website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.

New Zealand ex-gratia disaster recovery payment

An ex-gratia payment is being provided to eligible New Zealand ‘non-protected’ special category visa (SCV) (subclass 444) holders who have been adversely affected by the bushfires.

The payment rate is $1000 per eligible adult, $1,000 per partner or dependent adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with the Department of Human Services for a period of six months.

The payment is available for SCV holders who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or are the immediate family members of a person who has died, as a direct result of the bushfires.

You have until 8 May 2020 to lodge a claim for the ex-gratia disaster recovery payment in the local government areas of Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Walcha.

For eligibility information, visit the Department of Human Services website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.

DRA provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of Newstart or Youth Allowance, depending on the person’s circumstances.

DRA is available to Australian residents who are sixteen years and older.

DRA is not available to those already receiving another income support payment or pension such as the Age Pension, Newstart Allowance or Service Pension.

You have until 8 May 2020 to lodge a claim for DRA in the local government areas of Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca and Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Claims for DRA can be made from Sunday 10 November 2019. Visit the Department of Human Services website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims for assistance.

New Zealand ex-gratia income support allowance

An ex-gratia income support allowance is available to eligible New Zealand ‘non-protected’ special category visa (SCV) (subclass 444) holders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.

The income support allowance provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of Newstart or Youth Allowance, depending on the person’s circumstances.

The allowance is available to SCV holders who are sixteen years and older.

You have until 8 May 2020 to lodge a claim for the ex-gratia income support allowance in the local government areas of Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca and Port Macquarie-Hastings.

For more information on eligibility, visit the Department of Human Services website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements

The joint Australian, state and territory government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) provide a range of financial assistance to the natural disaster-declared areas in each state or territory.

For the bushfires which commenced on 17 October 2019, the available assistance measures include:

• Personal hardship and distress assistance
• Counter disaster operations
• Restoration of essential public assets
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• Freight subsidies
• Grants to non-profit organisations

For information on available recovery assistance, visit the Emergency NSW website.

For further information on recovery arrangements, visit the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 page.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will replace passports that have been lost or damaged in declared natural disasters free of charge, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.​​​​​