The Albanese and Allan Governments continue to stand with communities affected by the devastating January 2026 Victorian bushfires, announcing $160 million in additional support to help families, businesses and primary producers.
Up to $158 million is funded by both Governments under joint Commonwealth‑State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), while the Allan Government is investing an extra $2 million for schools within fire-affected areas to engage additional mental health services.
Local government areas eligible for support are Alpine Shire, Ararat Rural City, Benalla Rural City, Campaspe Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Greater Bendigo City, Horsham Rural City, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mansfield Shire, Mildura Rural City, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Pyrenees Shire, Strathbogie Shire, Towong Shire, Wellington Shire, Wodonga City, Yarra Ranges Shire and Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.
This funding builds on the more than $210 million in already announced relief and recovery supports for bushfire-affected Victorians, including emergency relief payments, grants for primary producers, access to emergency accommodation, and support for councils.
Clean-up for homes and businesses
An additional $112 million will expand the state-coordinated Clean-up Program with Forge Solutions now appointed as lead contractor. Forge Solutions have extensive experience in disaster clean up and will prioritise engaging local contractors to support their work.
Clean-up support will be available for uninsured and underinsured residential homes and structures such as sheds or garages.
It will also be available for businesses if uninsured or underinsured structures have been damaged or destroyed by the January 2026 Victorian bushfires.
Uninsured and underinsured community assets - like sporting facilities and community halls - will also be able to access the clean-up program if clean-up is not covered by other programs.
Registrations for the Clean-up Program are now open. Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 or visit Emergency Recovery Victoria website: vic.gov.au/clean-support-january-2026-bushfires.
Emergency Recovery Support Program
Recovery has a long tail. To help people get the support they need throughout their recovery journey, an additional $20 million will expand the Emergency Recovery Support Program.
The program helps people affected by the bushfires navigate and access the government support programs and services they need. It can also help with things like insurance and legal questions, finding local services and connecting people to essential health and wellbeing support.
Dedicated recovery support workers will also be available for people who need extra help navigating their recovery.
The Emergency Recovery Support Program is available by calling the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
Temporary accommodation
Further funding is being provided to ensure immediate accommodation supports are available to those who need it, while we work to provide medium to longer term accommodation options best suited to the recovery needs of individuals, families and communities.
Financial counselling and advisory support for businesses
More than $1.7 million will go towards supporting business owners affected by the January 2026 bushfires by providing access to tailored business recovery advice and financial counselling.
The Business Recovery Advisory Service will be available on the ground and through the Business Victoria website. Business Recovery Advisors will deliver free, confidential one-on-one support to business owners, tailored to their circumstances and supporting their long-term recovery.
The Small Business Financial Counselling service will provide free and confidential financial counselling to businesses who are in financial risk or at risk of it due to the bushfires.
