General Information

General information

Financial help

For more information on emergency relief payments, visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Mental health and other support services

If you or a loved one needs extra support during this time, you can speak with:

your local doctor
a mental health professional
a counsellor or psychologist.

It can also be helpful to talk to someone who is independent, but still understanding.

The following services are here for you or others you know. You can also visit the Department of Health’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, the Better Health Channel for information or visit the Australian Red Cross website for information and resources.

Lifeline	131 114	A 24-hour telephone service that offers confidential support and advice to help you deal with stress and personal challenges.
Australian Red Cross	1800 733 276	The Australian Red Cross supports and visits people in communities where disaster has occurred to check on their wellbeing and make referrals to other agencies.
Salvation Army Emergency Services	1800 825 955	The Salvation Army provides services for people during disaster and community recovery.
Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry	(03) 7037 6010	Provides psychosocial support including psychological first aid, emotional and spiritual care and personal support in relief and recovery centres and through community outreach, direct visits, community meetings and gatherings.
Beyond Blue	1300 224 636	An information line that offers expert information on depression; how to recognise the signs of depression, how to get help, how to help someone else and how to stay well.
Mens Line Australia	1300 789 978	A telephone support, information and referral service, helping men deal with their relationship problems.
Nurse-on-Call	1300 60 60 24	A 24-hour telephone service that allows people to discuss any health-related issue with a registered nurse for the cost of a local call.
Parentline Victoria	13 22 89	Available 8:00 am to midnight. A 7 day a week telephone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old, which offers confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.
Kids Help Line	1800 551 800	A 24-hour telephone service that provides phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Australian Psychological Society Referral Service	1800 333 497	Access thousands of psychologists who are in private practice. Seek qualified and trusted psychologists for assistance in a range of areas.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre	1800 015 188	Emergencies put a lot of additional stress on close relationships and families as they struggle to deal with the stress. Safe Steps provides confidential support for women and children living with family violence.
Disaster Legal Help Victoria	1800 113 432	For free legal advice, assistance and referrals for people affected by a disaster.
RSPCA Victoria	03 9224 2222	Provides information on how to care for your pets in case of an emergency.
Partners in Wellbeing Helpline \| Business Victoria	1300 375 330	The Partners in Wellbeing Helpline offers eligible sole traders, small business owners and their employees free and confidential support. You can speak with trained wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors and business advisers who understand your business and the unique pressures you face. The service is available 9am to 8pm on weekdays and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. Partners in Wellbeing also assists with access and navigation to: Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.

People can have varied reactions after a disaster. If you or someone you know is feeling strong emotions there is practical information and advice for:

Advice for helping yourself after an emergency in languages other than English:

Returning home after an emergency

BetterHealth Channel and Victoria State Emergency Service provide detailed guidance when you are returning home after an emergency.

Energy Safe Victoria provides advice for households that are without power and steps to restoration following an emergency .

Additional resources

A variety of factsheets and resources are available to assist you during and after an emergency:

Topic	Quick links	Multilingual Resources
Fire	After the fire Bushfire aftermath - safety tips Bushfires and public health	After a fire: returning home safely After a fire: private drinking water and water tank safety
Flood	Floods Returning home safely after a flood Septic tanks in flood affected areas	Returning home after a flood
Storm	Storms - plan and stay safe Thunderstorm Asthma	VicSES What is Thunderstorm Asthma - multilingual resource
Extreme weather	How to cope and stay safe in extreme heat Cold Weather	How to cope and stay safe in extreme heat
Power and utilities	Using alternative fuel and generators safely during a power outage Coping without electricity  Sewage overflows at home	Using alternative fuel and generators safely during a power outage
Other disasters	Earthquakes Tsunami	VicSES
Resilience and Recovery	Disaster and emergency recovery Road to Resilience Podcast

If you or a loved one needs extra support, there are services that can help:

Reach out to family, friends or neighbours 
Contact your GP 
Your child and maternal health nurse 
Contact Lifeline on 131 114 
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 
Contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Last updated: 30 January 2025

RR Sort Order:

	Evacuation An evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate.
	Emergency Warning You are in imminent danger and need to take action now. You will be impacted.
	Watch and Act / Warning An emergency is heading toward you. Conditions are changing and you need to take action now to protect yourself and your family.
	Advice An incident is occurring or has occurred in the area. Access information and monitor conditions.
	All Clear Emergency activity in the area has subsided and is no longer a danger to you.
	Community Update Specific information and updates for affected communities regarding a particular event or incident.
	Warning Area Colour area shows the predicted warning area at the time of issue. This colour can be yellow (Advice), orange (Watch & Act / Warning), red (Emergency Warning) or red line with a grey fill (Recommendation to Evacuate)

	Fire - Not Yet Under Control The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Fire - Contained, Under Control, or Safe The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Planned Burn The general location of a planned burn that is currently underway on public land. Firefighters are managing the burn but flames and smoke may be visible. Read More (external link opens in new window) Note: In most cases, the location of the icon shows the starting point of the planned burn.
	Flood Indicates the location of reported flooding that may be impacting on houses, roads, property and other infrastructure. Flooding may be caused by rain, river overflow, tidal surges, or dam failure. The depiction of an area communicated in a Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning including Flood Watch, Minor Flood, Moderate Flood and Major Flood.
	Vehicle Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a car or other motor vehicle and wash aways.
	Aircraft Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a plane, helicopter or other aircraft.
	Rail Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a train or tram.
	Marine Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a ship, boat or other watercraft.
	Rescue The reported location of a person trapped as a result of a industrial or recreational accident, trench or structure collapse, or a similar incident.
	Hazardous Material The reported location of a spill or leak of a hazardous liquid, gas or solid. This could include chemical, radiological, biological materials, a petrol or oil spill, a ruptured gas main or an industrial leak. Note: In most cases, the location of the icon depicts where the hazardous material is reported to be located and may not show how far it has spread.
	Earthquake An earthquake or other land-based seismic event has been recorded and reported by Geoscience Australia (external link opens in new window)
	Tsunami A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a Tsunami in the area.
	Landslide The location of a reported landslide event.
	Storm A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for thunderstorms, hail and/or blizzards in this area.
	Tornado/Cyclone A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a tornado or cyclone in the area.
	Damaging Winds A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for strong or damaging winds in the area.
	Building Damage A request has been made for assistance to help make a damaged building or structure safe.
	Tree Down (traffic hazard) A request has been made for assistance to remove a tree or branch that has fallen in the area – it may be blocking or impacting a path, track or roadway.
	Fallen Power Lines A request has been made for assistance to remove a fallen power pole or power lines in the area.
	Medical / Human Health The reported location of a human health incident or a request for medical assistance.
	Animal Health The reported location of an animal health incident or a request for animal rescue.
	Oiled Wildlife The reported location of Oiled Wildlife or a request for animal rescue (Oiled).
	Animal Plague Reported location of vertebrate pest plague such as rats, rabbits. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Insect Plague Reported location of an insect plague such as locusts. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Dam Failure The reported location of a dam failure.
	Shark Sighting Reported location of a shark sighting. This is likely to result in a beach closure by Life Saving Victoria
	Water Pollution The reported location of polluted waterways either inland or marine.
	Plant Health The reported location of a significant plant health or disease incident.
	Other This could be an equipment fault, inspection, trivial call, or an operation to assist another agency.

	Total Fire Ban A Total Fire Ban is currently in force for this area. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Road Closed / Affected There is a partial or full road closure at this location. Note: Not all road issues are reported on this site. Further information may be available from VicRoads (external link opens in new window) .
	Rail Disruption Rail services have been affected. This may result in cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from Public Transport Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Airport / Airspace Restrictions Air services have been affected. This may result in cancellations, delays or closure of airspace.
	Port Closure / Waterway Restrictions Services or access have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full closure and may cause cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from the Port of Melbourne (external link opens in new window) .
	Power Outage A power outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant power company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Gas Outage A gas outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant gas company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Water Outage / Affected Water has been affect or is unavailable in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant water provider. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Park / Forest Closure There is a full or partial park closure at this location. Further information may be available from Parks Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Beach Closure The beach has been closed in this location. Closures could be in relation to weather, dangerous conditions or shark sightings.
	School Closure Services at an education facility have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full facility closure. Further information may be available from the particular education facility or Department of Education and Training (external link opens in new window) .
	Other - Closed / Restricted Access There is a partial or full closure at this location. This could be affecting a public space, sporting facility or commercial space.

	Community Meeting / Information Point Shows the location of community meetings or information points to help keep the public informed during emergencies. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Refuge / Relief Centre The location of an established Community Fire Refuge or Relief Centre to assist people impacted by an emergency.
	Neighbourhood Safer Place Location of a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place. This is a place of last resort when all other fire plans have failed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Community Document Planning and preparation information, such as Community Information Guide (CIG) or Local Flood Guides. These guides are a key source of emergency information for the community. Read more (external link opens in new window) .

	Cluster Icon There are multiple warnings or incidents in this location and you will need to select the icon or zoom in to display them all.
	Incident Area Depicts the extent of an area impacted by an incident at a point in time. While this information will be updated regularly it may not represent the current extent of the impact.
	Fire Danger Ratings Displays the forecast Fire Danger Rating. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Rain Radar The radar map overlay shows the location of rain using different colours to depict rainfall intensity. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Wind Direction Shows the location's current wind direction and speed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Thunderstorm Tracker The Thunderstorm Tracker (external link opens in new window) map overlay shows the location of storm cells using different colours to depict rainfall intensity.

Relief & Recovery

Current Events

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