Disaster Recovery Allowance
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.
DRA provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of Newstart or Youth Allowance, depending on the person's circumstances.
DRA is available to Australian residents who are sixteen years and older.
DRA is not available to those already receiving another income support payment or pension such as the Age Pension, Newstart Allowance or Service Pension.
You have until 11 March 2020 to lodge a claim for DRA in the local government areas of Noosa, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
Claims for DRA can be made from Monday 16 September 2019.Visit the
Services Australia website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims for assistance.
New Zealand ex-gratia income support allowance
An ex-gratia income support allowance is available to eligible New Zealand 'non-protected' special category visa (SCV) (subclass 444) holders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.
The income support allowance provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of Newstart or Youth Allowance, depending on the person's circumstances.
The allowance is available to SCV holders who are sixteen years and older.
You have until 11 March 2020 to lodge a claim for the ex-gratia income support allowance in the local government areas of Noosa, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
For more information on eligibility, visit the
Services Australia website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the bushfires.
The rate of AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with the
Services Australia for a period up to six months.
AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or are the immediate family members of a person who has died, as a direct result of the bushfires.
You have until 15 April 2020 to lodge a claim for AGDRP in the local government areas of Noosa, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
For more information on eligibility, visit the
Services Australia website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.
New Zealand ex-gratia disaster recovery payment
An ex-gratia payment is being provided to eligible New Zealand 'non-protected' special category visa (SCV) (subclass 444) holders who have been adversely affected by the bushfires.
The payment rate is $1000 per eligible adult, $1,000 per partner or dependent adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with the
Services Australia for a period of six months.
The payment is available for SCV holders who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or are the immediate family members of a person who has died, as a direct result of the bushfires.
You have until 15 April 2020 to lodge a claim for the ex-gratia disaster recovery payment in the local government areas of Noosa, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
For eligibility information, visit the
Services Australia website or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
For information on Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), please visit
Queensland Bushfires: September – December 2019 web page.
