Joint media release with The Hon Bill Shorten MP
The Australian Government has extended support to more flood affected areas of south-eastern Australia making the one-off, non-means-tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment available for individuals across an additional 6 local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria.
In Victoria, the payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be available from 2pm today to people who live in the LGAs of Buloke, Corangamite, Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Melbourne and Pyrenees.
The assistance is already available to those who live in the Benalla, Boroondara, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Loddon, Maribyrnong, Mitchell, Moonee Valley, Mount Alexander, Murrindindi, Strathbogie and Yarra LGAs.
Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens ('non-protected' Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.
The Australian Government's Disaster Recovery Allowance has also been made available to an additional 23 Victorian LGAs: Banyule, Boroondara, Brimbank, Ballarat, Greater Geelong, Colac Otway, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Hume, Indigo, Manningham, Melbourne, Moorabool, Mount Alexander, Moyne, Swan Hill, Warrnambool, Whittlesea, Wodonga, Wyndham, Yarra Ranges and Yarriambiack.
This would bring the total number of LGAs where Disaster Recovery Allowance is available in Victoria to 46 LGAs.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance assists employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a taxable, fortnightly payment.
Claims can be made online through myGov, 24 hours a day. For information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Services Australia website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents
For information on all the assistance the Australian and respective State governments have made available to individuals, businesses and councils following the extensive flooding, visit www.nema.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt:
We're doing everything we possibly can to get this support activated as quickly as possible because we know there's people who need money in their pockets right now to help them get back on their feet.
As the extent of the damage is discovered, the Albanese Government is continuing to extend support to impacted areas. This is a very serious situation across multiple states and we know that there may be more communities impacted by these flooding events over the coming days.
As the full extent of the damage continues to become more apparent, we will keep working to provide assistance as it's needed.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten:
Vital financial support is available for many communities in south-eastern Australia who are doing it tough right now.
I encourage people in affected areas to check their eligibility for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents.
Services Australia staff are working hard to deliver rapid payments and provide on-the-ground support.
The easiest way to make a claim after you've checked your eligibility is online through my.gov.au. If people need additional support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
