Joint media release with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
The Albanese Government is extending financial assistance further for Victorians impacted by the bushfires that have devastated communities.
From 2:00pm local time on Monday, 19 January 2026, the Albanese Government's Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be available for eligible people in the following added locations: Arapiles, Avenel, Cathkin, Devils River, Dropmore, Duchembegarra, Gooram, Limestone, Merton, Molesworth, Murrindindi, Noradjuha, Quantong, Tarcombe, Vectis, Walmer, and Whanregarwen.
This extension brings the total number of locations where AGDRP has been activated to 40. Previously activated locations include: Alexandra, Barkers Creek, Carranballac, Caveat, Creightons Creek, Ghin Ghin, Gobur, Harcourt North, Harcourt, Highlands, Kanumbra, Longwood East, Longwood, Natimuk, Ravenswood South, Ruffy, Skipton, Streatham, Sutton Grange, Terip Terip, Upton Hill, Whiteheads Creek, and Yarck.
This also builds on the Disaster Recovery Allowance supporting people who've lost income as a direct result of this event and the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) activated to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.
Damage assessments are undertaken by emergency management agencies as locations are safe to access. Those damage assessments allow the Albanese Government to activate additional support for those communities.
AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of the bushfires. It's a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.
People can check their eligibility for AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia Natural disaster support website.
The quickest way to claim AGDRP is online through myGov.
If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money You Owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher
"If you're in one of these locations and have been impacted by these devastating fires, I encourage you to check your eligibility for disaster payments on the Services Australia website.
"Claims for these additional areas will open from 2pm Monday, and the quickest way to make a claim is online through myGov.
"Service Australia staff are working hard to assist these communities and deliver disaster payments to those in need. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
"The National Emergency Management Agency and Services Australia have been working around the clock throughout this event and continue to do so to ensure assistance can be provided as quickly as possible.
"This is an incredibly stressful time for many people as fires continue to burn across the state, and while the recent change in weather has provided favourable conditions, it has also led to flash flooding and damaging wind gusts in some areas.
"This will be a marathon, not a sprint, so while we're asking people to stay vigilant, Victorians can be assured that the Albanese Government has their back for every step of the way."
