Much of south-eastern Australia is once again under water. What disaster payments can you access if you’ve been affected by floods?
The arrival of a third consecutive La Nina weather system has ushered in widespread rain and flooding in south-eastern Australia, particularly in Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW.
If you’ve been affected by a large-scale natural disaster event such as this, Services Australia has lump-sum and ongoing payments available to help get you through the emergency.
In a disaster, Services Australia will list affected local government areas (LGAs) that are eligible to receive income support.
Read: Are you eligible for the disaster recovery payment?
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The ADGRP is a one-off payment of $1000 per adult and $400 for each child under the age of 16.
If you live in one of the affected LGAs listed, you will need to make a claim to receive the money. The easiest way to do so is online through your myGov account.
If you are unable to access internet services, you can call Services Australia’s emergency information line on 180 22 66.
Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
The DRA is a short-term payment designed to help with emergency expenses in the immediate aftermath of a disaster if you’ve lost income.
The DRA is set at $350 per week. You can access this payment for a maximum of 13 weeks.
Read: Is your home prepared for a natural disaster?
Again, if you live in one of the LGAs affected, you’ll need to lodge a claim with Services Australia to access the allowance.
October 2022 floods
The latest round of flooding has hit Victoria and Tasmania the hardest, with parts of southern NSW also affected.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government had “moved quickly” to support people in these regions, making 44 LGAs eligible for the disaster payments.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that for many people this is the third or fourth time in 18 months that their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster of this magnitude,” he told reporters.
“I want everyone in a flood-affected region to know that the Commonwealth stands ready and committed to provide support now and through the recovery.”
The PM confirmed that the following LGAs would be eligible to access both the AGDRP and DRA.
Read: Natural disasters and your home insurance explained
Victoria
There are 23 LGAs in Victoria eligible for disaster funding: Alpine, Benalla, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Corangamite, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Hepburn, Horsham, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Maribyrnong, Mitchell Shire, Moira, Moonee Valley, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Strathbogie and Wangaratta.
Tasmania
Tasmania has 17 LGAs affected by the floods: Break O’Day, Burnie, Central Coast, Central Highlands, Circular Head, Devonport, Dorset, Flinders, George Town, Kentish, Latrobe, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Waratah-Wynyard, West Coast and West Tamar.
New South Wales
Four NSW LGAs were affected by this flood event: Central Coast, Coonamble, Goulburn-Mulwaree and Parkes.
These four LGAs join a further 27 NSW LGAs still eligible for disaster payments from flooding events in September – Blayney, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cabonne, Cowra, Dubbo, Edward River, Forbes, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Greater Hume, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Lachlan, Lithgow, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Mid-Western, Narrabri, Narromine, Tamworth, Upper Lachlan, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle and Weddin.
Have you been affected by the recent flooding events? What can be done to mitigate them in the future? Let us know in the comments section below.
