A summary of the supports available

Emergency Recovery Hotline

Victorians can call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 for information about payments and recovery programs. Additional assistance, including emergency relief payments and Guaranteed Service Level electricity bill credits, remains available for eligible households.

Community recovery officers and hubs

The state and federal government have committed $15 million to establish Community Recovery Officers and Recovery Hubs across bushfire affected areas. Recovery Hubs will be a one-stop shop for residents to access services and information from government and community organisations. Community Recovery Officers will work within councils to identify community needs, develop tailored programs, and provide on-the-ground support to help locals rebuild.

Primary producer recovery grants

An initial $40 million in grants of up to $75,000 will be provided to eligible primary producers, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises. Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of livestock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations. Grants will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at ruralfinance.com.au

Concessional loans for primary producers

The state and federal governments will also provide a further $10 million in concessional loans to help primary producers recover from the bushfires. Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 will support those experiencing a major loss of income. This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder. Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at ruralfinance.com.au

Support for councils to restore community assets

Almost $12 million will be delivered through the Council Support Fund to help bushfire-affected councils restore vital community assets and services. The fund boosts councils’ capacity to lead recovery efforts and make decisions that reflect local needs, ensuring support goes where it’s needed most. The fund will be active for two years, giving councils the time they need for clean-up and reconstruction. Councils will receive up to $750,000 depending on the scale of impacts, providing tailored support for rebuilding communities.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will be available for Victorians impacted by the ongoing bushfires. The allowance provides financial assistance to people residing or working in designated areas who have experienced partial or total income loss due to the bushfires. Employees and sole traders may receive up to 13 weeks of income support. To be eligible, your income must have fallen below the average Australian weekly income because of the bushfires. Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport

Prolonged power outage payments

The state and federal government are providing to $16 million in financial assistance for households impacted by extended power outages following the bushfires. Eligible households who have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period will receive $2380 per week for up to three weeks. Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses, with full details available at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages

Financial counselling

More than $4 million is being to provide financial counselling for communities impacted by the bushfires, helping Victorians access emergency assistance, navigate recovery systems and stabilise their finances so they can rebuild. The funding will boost the Victorian Farmers Federation’s Financial Capability Support Program, giving primary producers tailored financial advice.

Emergency relief payments

Emergency relief payments remain available for eligible Victorians who have had their homes destroyed by the fires, or who were required to evacuate due to emergency warnings. To find out more, please visit an Emergency Relief Centre or call VicEmergency on 1800 226 226.

Residential waste

The Bushfire Cleanup Program invests an initial $10 million to support uninsured and underinsured Victorians to remove damaged structures and hazardous materials – easing the burden on families already facing enormous stress. This support is jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan Governments under the Commonwealth State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The Victorian Government will also invest $5 million towards waiving waste levies in eligible local government areas and fully cover landfill operator gate fees, ensuring all bushfire waste can be disposed of free of charge.

Uninsured households

The state and federal governments are making assistance payments of up to $52,250 available to eligible uninsured households so they can re-establish their principal place of residence. Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline (above).

Community support grants

Grants of up to $5000 for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing so they can navigate their recovery as a community.

Animal welfare

Landholders concerned about livestock welfare can now put in a request directly via Agriculture Victoria (on 1800 226 226) who will work with the Fire Incident Controller to assess the request and determine the earliest and safest way to get access.

Fodder distribution

A $10 million emergency support program has been announced to help distribute fodder to those farmers who need it.

Emergency accommodation

The governments will provide $1.5 million to coordinate emergency accommodation options for people who have nowhere else to go and have had to seek shelter in hotels, serviced apartments and other temporary places.

Mental health support

$1 million will fund experts in disaster recovery mental health support to provide group counselling sessions so communities can better support one another and navigate their recovery together.

Recovery Support Program

There will be one single point of help so people who’ve lost so much don’t have to deal with government red tape. $5 million in funding will ensure case support workers will be available for affected Victorians to help them navigate matters like housing, legal

Funding for councils

Councils will receive between $450,000 and $1.3 million to employ recovery staff and deliver local programs.

Funding for community groups

Community organisations can apply for grants of up to $75,000 for locally led initiatives.

Bushfire Appeal

The 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal is now open for donations to support fire affected communities, Victorians can contribute via vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal
100 per cent of donations will go to fire affected communities, and the government is covering all the administrative costs.

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