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Financial Assistance

The Australian Government helps individuals and communities recover from disasters by offering financial support. The type of help available depends on the impacts of the natural disaster.

During an emergency, specific financial assistance information will be made available here.

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements

The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are the primary way the Australian Government provides disaster relief and recovery funding to states and territories.  For more information see the Australian Government’s DisasterAssist website.

Tasmanian Relief and Recovery Arrangements

Tasmanian Government assistance is outlined under the Tasmanian Relief and Recovery Arrangements (TRRA) where Government agencies, Councils and community support organisations work together to help the community recover after a natural disaster.

These services may be delivered in a variety of ways and may include:

  • emergency and temporary accommodation
  • emergency clothing, food, bedding and linen
  • financial assistance payments
  • personal outreach and support
  • trauma counselling.

Commonwealth grants and other financial assistance

The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off recovery payment for people that have been affected by a disaster. For more information, go to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster

The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short-term payment for people that have had their income affected by a disaster. For more information, go to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster

Rural Financial Counselling Service & Rural Relief Fund

The RFCS provides free financial counselling to farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and harvesters, and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

Rural financial counsellors are qualified professionals. They will listen to your problems, look at your situation as a whole and provide support unique to you.

They will help you to develop an action plan and take the necessary steps to get you out of financial difficulty. They will also help you to build your financial knowledge, skills and resilience so you can confidently manage potential challenges in the future.

For more information, or to connect with your local rural financial counsellor, visit the National Recovery and Resilience Agency website.

In the unfortunate instance when disasters like drought, flood or bushfires occur, the need for assistance is immediate. With human and animal welfare a priority, the Rural Relief Fund, through the provision of emergency grants, can quickly support those most affected.

In times of crisis and financial hardship, the Rural Relief Fund supports farming families and their communities in their time of most need. Grants of up to $2,500 crisis relief may be available to eligible families based on urgency and the level of support required.

The priority of family and animal welfare is taken into account, so funds can cover everything from basic household goods including food to utility bills to the repair of damaged fences.

For more information, visit the Rural Relief Fund page.