Joint media release with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
The Australian Government is providing federal financial assistance to more North Queenslanders experiencing disruption caused by the severe rainfall and flooding in February this year.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is now available for eligible people in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs):
- Cook
- Hope Vale
- Kowanyama
- Weipa
- Wujal Wujal
DRA supports people who've lost income as a direct result of this event by providing up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders, depending on their personal circumstances.
The DRA was already available in the 37 LGAs of Aurukun, Banana, Barcaldine, Boulia, Bundaberg, Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Central Highlands, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Croydon, Diamantine, Doomadgee, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gympie, Isaac, Livingstone, Mackay, McKinlay, Mount Isa, North Burnett, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Rockhampton, South Burnett, Townsville, Western Downs, Whitsunday, Winton and Yarrabah.
Impact assessments are undertaken by emergency management agencies as locations become safe to access. Those impact assessments allow the Australian Government to activate additional support for those communities.
These payments are on top of the other recovery assistance that has been activated through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.
People can check their eligibility for the DRA on the Services Australia website.
The quickest way to claim the DRA 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
"The floods have had a devastating impact in North Queensland, I encourage anyone impacted to check their eligibility for AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia website, claims open from 2pm local time on Tuesday 28 April 2026."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
"North Queenslanders have felt the brunt of back-to-back severe weather events over the past few months, and from what I saw on the ground, it will take time to fully assess the damage.
"We're extending the DRA to help those whose lives continue to be disrupted and relieve some of the financial pressures they are facing as works to reconnect communities continue."
