The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments will deliver close to $100 million in additional support for the recovery of communities and businesses across Victoria devastated by bushfires.
The expanded support package is jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan Governments under the Commonwealth‑State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
It builds upon previously announced support and responds directly to needs identified by affected communities as they start their recovery.
Community Recovery Officers and Hubs
Recovering from bushfires can be overwhelming - and for many Victorians, it's hard to know where to start. That's why the Albanese and Allan Governments are investing more than $15 million to establish Community Recovery Officers and Recovery Hubs across bushfire affected areas.
Recovery Hubs will be a one-stop shop for residents to access services and information from government and community organisations. Dedicated Community Recovery Officers will work within councils to identify community needs, develop tailored programs, and provide on-the-ground support to help locals rebuild.
Councils will receive between $450,000 and $1.3 million to employ recovery staff and deliver local programs, while community organisations can apply for grants of up to $75,000 for locally led initiatives. This investment ensures communities have the resources and support they need to start the long road to recovery.
Prolonged Power Outage Payments
The Albanese and Allan Governments will provide up to $16 million in financial assistance for households impacted by extended power outages following the bushfires.
Eligible households who have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period will receive $2,380 per week for up to three weeks, helping families manage during this challenging time.
Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses, with full details available at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages.
Primary Producer Recovery Grants
Primary producers are the backbone of local economies and their recovery is critical after the devastation of these bushfires.
An initial $40 million in grants of up to $75,000 will be provided to eligible primary producers, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises.
Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of livestock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations.
Grants will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at ruralfinance.com.au.
Concessional Loans for Primary Producers
The Albanese and Allan Governments will also provide a further $10 million in concessional loans to help primary producers recover from the bushfires.
Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 will support those experiencing a major loss of income.
This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.
Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at ruralfinance.com.au.
Council Support Fund
Almost $12 million will be delivered through the Council Support Fund to help bushfire-affected councils restore vital community assets and services.
This funding will kickstart clean-up and repairs to local public spaces like parks, footy ovals, community centres, playgrounds and sporting fields - helping communities reconnect.
We know the scale of this disaster is overwhelming for small and rural councils. This Fund boosts their capacity to lead recovery efforts and make decisions that reflect local needs, ensuring support goes where it's needed most.
The Fund will be active for two years, giving councils the time they need for clean-up and reconstruction. Councils will receive up to $750,000 depending on the scale of impacts, providing tailored support for rebuilding communities.
Financial Counselling
The Albanese and Allan Governments are investing more than $4 million to provide financial counselling for communities impacted by the bushfires, helping Victorians access emergency assistance, navigate recovery systems and stabilise their finances so they can rebuild.
Specialist counsellors will help individuals and families access recovery grants, manage insurance claims, replace essential items and deal with debts through payment plans and fee waivers. They will also provide advocacy with insurers and creditors and connect people to legal support.
The funding will boost the Victorian Farmers Federation's Financial Capability Support Program, giving primary producers tailored financial advice. By providing early support and clear recovery pathways, this program will reduce stress and help communities recover faster.
Previous support
This builds on the jointly-funded recovery support already announced - including help to dispose of waste, emergency funding to deliver fodder to communities and assistance with emergency accommodation.
Victorians can call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 for information about payments and recovery programs. Additional assistance, including emergency relief payments and Guaranteed Service Level electricity bill credits, remains available for eligible households.
Emergency relief payments remain available for eligible Victorians who have had their homes destroyed by the fires, or who were required to evacuate due to emergency warnings. To find out more, please visit an Emergency Relief Centre or call VicEmergency on 1800 226 226.
The 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal is now open for donations to support fire affected communities, Victorians can contribute via vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal(opens in a new window).
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"These fires have devastated communities across Victoria - and we're delivering more support to help people rebuild their lives and livelihoods."
"From clean-up and financial counselling to support for farmers and councils, this package delivers practical help where it's needed most."
As stated by Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
"This has been a tough time for many communities across Victoria."
"The Albanese Government is working hand in hand with the Allan Government to make sure those communities have the resources they need to recover."
"We'll continue to deliver practical assistance on the ground so people can focus on rebuilding and moving forward."
As stated by Victorian Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery Vicki Ward
"Recovery has a very long tail - that's why we're making sure people have clear information and practical support for the road ahead."
"Our priority is to ease the pressure on families and businesses and help communities recover."
