Joint media release with the Hon Lia Finocchiaro
The Albanese and Finocchiaro Governments have activated disaster assistance for residents within the Katherine Town Council area following an emergency declaration and major flooding that has impacted the town.
Heavy rainfall across the region caused the Katherine River to rise above the 2006 flood level, inundating parts of the town, disrupting essential services and forcing residents from their homes.
This support is being delivered through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to assist residents affected by flooding in Katherine.
Floodwaters peaked overnight at 19.20 metres on the Katherine River and are now beginning to recede. Roads have been inundated and essential services disrupted, including the closure of Katherine Hospital, with widespread power outages reported across parts of the town. Many homes have been impacted and residents displaced.
Emergency shelters remain open at Katherine High School, MacFarlane Primary School and Casuarina Street Primary School, with more than 500 residents currently being accommodated.
Residents whose homes have been directly impacted may be eligible for Personal Hardship Assistance and Re-establishment Measures under the DRFA.
Initial payments are being made to residents whose houses have been inundated to help with the immediate impacts of flooding. This includes Immediate Relief payments of up to $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family, to assist residents experiencing personal hardship as a result of the flooding.
Further assistance may also be available to replace essential household items, with eligible households able to receive up to $8,843 to support the purchase of whitegoods, furniture, bedding and basic household items. This assistance is means tested.
The DRFA also supports the Northern Territory Government and local authorities to undertake counter-disaster operations and restore essential public assets, including debris removal, emergency works and infrastructure repairs.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain said these are the most significant floods Katherine has experienced since 2006, with many residents forced from their homes and experiencing power outages.
"These floods are having a major impact on the Katherine community, and the Albanese Government is working closely with the Northern Territory Government to make sure residents can access support as soon as possible," Minister McBain said.
"Initial payments are being made to residents whose homes have been inundated, with Immediate Relief payments helping families manage the immediate impacts of the flooding while further assistance supports households replacing essential items.
"We will continue coordinating closely with the Northern Territory Government and local authorities."
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the severity of the flooding required urgent action to protect the community.
"On 6 March 2026, I declared an Emergency Situation to ensure authorities had the powers needed to respond quickly and keep the Katherine and Big Rivers communities safe," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"Immediate relief payments will provide urgent support for residents whose houses have been affected by flooding, and the Northern Territory Government will continue working closely with the Australian Government and emergency services to support the Katherine community through response and recovery."
For more information on disaster assistance and eligibility visit www.disasterassist.gov.au and https://securent.nt.gov.au/respond/barkly-and-ca-severe-weather
