Joint media release with the Hon Vicki Ward MP
The Albanese and Allan Governments have extended disaster assistance payments to an additional 14 councils and one Alpine Resort, providing relief to communities impacted by the Victorian fires that commenced on 7 January 2026.
Disaster assistance is available under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in the additional locations of Alpine Shire, Ararat Rural City, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Greater Bendigo City, Horsham Rural City, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, Mildura Rural City, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, Pyrenees Shire and Wellington Shire.
Disaster assistance is already announced for Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield and Murrindindi shires. Assistance may be extended to other local government areas as the disaster event unfolds.
The support includes assistance with the establishment and running of emergency relief centres, personal and financial counselling, removal of debris from residential properties to make them safe and habitable, restoration of essential public assets and counter disaster operations.
Emergency relief assistance is also available for eligible community members who have had their home damaged or destroyed by the fires, or whose home was in an evacuation warning area and they have had to evacuate. This assistance is available through the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's Personal Hardship Assistance Program.
Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family, to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.
If you think you may be eligible for a relief payment, please visit an Emergency Relief Centre or call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.
Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) will continue to work with local councils across the state to understand what assistance they need to support communities in response to these bushfires.
Information about relief and recovery support for community is available on the VicEmergency website at emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's website at disasterassist.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
"These fires continue to have a devastating impact on communities across Victoria. This assistance will help people access the immediate support they need to get through this difficult time.
"The Albanese Government is working closely with the Allan Government to ensure affected councils have the resources and capability to provide essential services, keep their communities safe, and begin the recovery process.
"Recovery starts with strong support on the ground, and we'll continue to stand with these communities as the situation evolves."
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Vicki Ward:
"We are seeing impacts in large areas of our state, and many communities are now in an incredibly tough situation. The Allan and Albanese Governments are working together to deliver immediate relief payments to those in impacted areas.
"These payments will help those Victorians who have done the right thing and followed the warnings of emergency services to leave their homes and communities.
"This is an important first step for communities who need immediate support, and we will continue to work with councils to meet local needs."
