Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The following Australian Government disaster payments have been made available to eligible Australians adversely affected by severe weather, rainfall and associated flooding as a result of Tropical Cyclone Oswald.
The payment is to provide one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by this event. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) rate is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged at the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) for a period of up to six months.
Ex gratia payment for New Zealand non-protected Special Category Visa holders
An ex gratia payment is being provided to eligible New Zealand 'non protected' Special Category Visa (SCV) holders who have been affected by this event. The payment rate is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged at Centrelink for a period of up to six months.
Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy
The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy (DIRS) will provide assistance to employees, small business persons and farmers who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and severe weather in Queensland.
The subsidy provides fortnightly payments equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance, depending on the person's circumstances.
The DIRS is available to Australian residents or eligible foreign nationals who are older than 16. 'Eligible foreign nationals' include people who are on permanent visas (but who have not yet met the residency waiting period) and people who are on temporary skilled visas or temporary family visas. The subsidy is not available to those already receiving another income support payment or pension such as Age Pension, Newstart Allowance, Service Pension or Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment. The subsidy is payable for a period of up to 13 weeks.
For more information on eligibility, visit the Centrelink website or contact the Emergency Assistance Hotline on 180 2266 for claims for assistance.
The assistance measures available in each Local Government areas where the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, Ex gratia payment for New Zealand non-protected Special Category Visa holders, and the Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy have been activated are as follows:
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
The joint Australian, state and territory governments' Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) provide a range of financial assistance to the natural disaster-declared areas in each state or territory.
For Tropical Cyclone Oswald and associated flooding which occurred on 21-29 January 2013, the available assistance measures include:
Additional disaster information is available on the Queensland Disaster Management website.
For further information on recovery arrangements, visit the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements page.
