FOR VICTORIANS reeling with the January bushfire damage, help is available to get their life back on track.
Below is a list of the support on offer, and the way people can apply:
Emergency relief payment: It is for people who have been evacuated or whose homes are unliveable due to the fires. It helps with immediate needs. Apply through the VicEmergency Hotline – 1800 226 226 (press 0 then 1).
Emergency re-establishment assistance: A payment if you can’t return home because it was damaged or destroyed, you don’t have insurance and you can’t afford repairs. Apply through the Emergency Recovery Hotline – 1800 560 760 (press 4)
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: A one-off, non-means-tested lump sum payment. It is available if you’ve had major damage to your home or major assets that you own at your home. Apply online – servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfires-jan-2026-agdrp
Disaster Recovery Allowance: An allowance for up to 13 weeks to help if you have lost income as a direct result of the January 2026 Victorian bushfires. Apply online – servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfires-jan-2026-dra
Prolonged power outage payment: If your home has been without power for more than seven days you may be eligible for a payment. Apply online – ausnetservices.com.au/outages/emergency-response or call 1300 561 171
Primary producer grants: Grants to assist farmers with the cost of clean-up and getting back to business. Apply online – ruralfinance.com.au/grants/
Concessional loans for primary producers: Loans for farmers to be used for restoring and replacing damaged assets, or for working capital expenses. Apply online – ruralfinance.com.au/loans/
Financial counselling: A financial counsellor can help you make a plan to manage your money. They can also talk to creditors on your behalf. Call the National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007 to speak to a financial adviser.
Mob Strong Debt Helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – 1800 808 488.
Small Business Debt Helpline – 1800 413 828.
Rural Financial Counselling Service for primary producers – 1300 771 741.
Practical support
Emergency Recovery Support Program: Support officers can advise on what services are available or connect you to programs. If you need extra support, a recovery support worker can help you over the long term. Phone 1800 560 760.
Help to clean-up your property: Help with things like demolition and removal of hazardous materials. For people who are uninsured and under-insured. For more information, visit vic.gov.au/clean-support-january-2026-bushfires
Emergency relief drinking water: Up to 20,000L of drinking water if your household relies on tank water, your tank has been contaminated by fire, ash, debris or fire-fighting activities, and your property is within an impacted area. Apply online – go.vic.gov.au/4qqT6nm or call DEECA on 136 186.
Water replacement: If essential water has been taken from your land to fight fires, you can request for it to be replaced. More information – ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recovery
Waste disposal fees waived: There are no fees at local waste disposal facilities until May 13. Show proof of residence, like a driver’s licence.
Fencing: Eligible property owners may get support to repair fencing if:
firefighting or disaster response teams brought about the damage, or
the fence is on the boundary of national parks, state parks or state forests.
Find out if your damage is eligible – contact DEECA on 136 186.
Land surveys: There are land surveyors who will provide professional advice on surveys and perform title boundary surveys at a discounted rate, only covering costs or less. Phone Surveyor-General Victoria on 9194 0282 or email surveyor.general@transport.vic.gov.au
Fodder: To request fodder, contact the Victorian Farmers Federation on 1300 882 833 or vff.org.au/vff-emergencyfodderrequestform/
Livestock disposal: if you need advice for disposing of livestock, contact Agriculture Victoria on 0407 145 007 or livestock.disposal@agriculture.vic.gov.au
