Disaster relief payments for Aussies affected by Victoria bushfires

Sunday, 11 January 2026 20:33

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan visited the town of Harcourt today as the scale of the devastation continues to grow.

The Albanese and Allan governments have announced funds for people impacted by Victoria's bushfires to make claims for immediate support.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan visited the town of Harcourt today as the scale of the devastation continues to grow.

"My message to Victorians is pretty simple: We've got your back, not just during this crisis but through the recovery as well," Albanese said.

Anthony Albanese visited a bushfire-hit area in Victoria.

"We'll work cooperatively with the government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period."

Allan said the community was grieving.

"This will not be the end of the assistance for those fire-affected communities … we know there is a long recovery journey ahead," she said.

What support has been announced?

Albanese today said his government was activating financial assistance through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) for people in areas affected by Victoria's bushfires.

From 2pm on Wednesday, January 14, the payment will be available for eligible people in Barkers Creek, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Longwood, Longwood East, Natimuk, Ravenswood South, Ruffy and Sutton Grange.

AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of the bushfires.

It's a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

This support comes on top of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) announced yesterday by the Albanese and Allan governments.

That support, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state governments, is to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils impacted by fires that began on January 7.

Support for Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield and Murrindindi shires includes assistance with the establishment and running of emergency relief centres, personal and financial counselling, removal of debris from residential properties to make them safe and habitable, restoration of essential public assets, and counter disaster operations.

The assistance may also be extended to other local government areas as the disaster unfolds, the governments said.

Emergency relief assistance is also available for eligible people who have had their home damaged or destroyed by the fires, or their home was in an evacuation warning area and they have had to evacuate.

Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family, to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.

How much can I claim?

To reiterate, the one-off payment from the AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

The DRFA is a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family.

How can I claim support?

For AGDRP, people can check their eligibility on the Services Australia website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport

The quickest way to claim is online through myGov.

If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.

For the DRFA, if you think you may be eligible you can visit an Emergency Relief Centre or call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

This assistance can be accessed through the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's Personal Hardship Assistance Program.

Information about relief and recovery support is available on the VicEmergency website.

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