On this page
- Emergency relief payments
- Disaster recovery allowance
- Returning home after a bushfire
- Health and wellbeing
- Liquor licence waiver
- Community meetings
Emergency relief payments
Emergency relief payments are available for eligible community members whose homes were in an evacuation area, and they evacuated, or whose homes can’t be lived in as they have been damaged by the bushfires in the Grampians National Park.
Emergency relief payments are designed to provide immediate financial help for eligible Victorians experiencing financial hardship due to the bushfires.
An emergency relief payment can help you to pay for things you need most, including:
- food
- clothing
- medication
- accommodation
Emergency relief payments are based on a fixed amount for each member of your household. The payment is not calculated based on how much money you earn.
Payments are $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family.
Who can get the payment
You are eligible for an emergency relief payment if:
- your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the bushfire and you can’t live in it, or
- your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property, and
- you have unmet immediate relief needs.
How to apply for a payment
Call the VicEmergency Hotline to apply for an Emergency Relief Payment on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter).
You will be transferred to a Relief Payment Officer who can assist you with your application.
Have some ID ready, if you can, like:
- driver’s license
- Medicare card
- letter or utility bill showing your address.
More information
For translated fact sheets on relief payments please visit the Personal Hardship Assistance Program page of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website.
For more information on emergency relief payments or other relief services, you can:
- Call VicEmergency on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter)
- Contact your local council www.vic.gov.au/know-your-council
Disaster Recovery Allowance
People who live or work in the Rural City of Ararat, Shire of Macedon Ranges, Shire of Northern Grampians and Shire of Southern Grampians may be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).
The allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income due to the recent bushfires.
It is available to people who work or live in a declared Local Government Area, who have lost some or all of their income as a direct result of the disaster, and will earn less than the average Australian weekly income in the 13 weeks following this income loss.
Applications for the DRA will open at 2pm ADET on Monday 30 December 2024.
Find information regarding eligibility and how to claim on the Services Australia website.
Returning home after a bushfire
After a bushfire has passed, conditions may still be dangerous. If you have evacuated, do not return home until emergency services say it is safe to do so. When returning home, watch for hazards such as fire-affected trees or damaged roads and footpaths.
There may be damaged asbestos on a property following a fire. The safest way to have asbestos removed is to hire a licensed removalist.
Information and factsheets
Australian Red Cross – Returning home after a bushfire - Practical questions to consider if you are returning home after a bushfire.
Better Health – Bushfire aftermath - safety tips - Advice about how to protect your safety when returning home, including inspecting your property and cleaning up your home.
Victorian Building Authority – Bushfire resources and guides - Guidelines that cover hazards that can be found on properties after a bushfire and who to contact. Additional resources can be found on the VBA website including a guide to a safe return to your property after a bushfire.
Agriculture Victoria – What to do after a bushfire - Advice for farmers who have experienced agricultural impacts from a bushfire, such as losses of stock and farming assets.
Insurance Council of Australia – What to do after a bushfire - Advice on when to contact your insurance company and how to document damage.
Business Victoria – Prepare, respond and recover – Useful information and resources for businesses to access after a major emergency.
Health and wellbeing
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:
- Helping yourself after a disaster
- Helping a friend or family member after a disaster
- Helping older adults after a disaster
- Supporting children after a disaster
- Understanding how frightening events can affect children
Supporting children experiencing trauma
Listen to psychologist Michelle Roberts discuss how you can help look after yourself, and your children, during this traumatic period.
Support for people impacted by family violence
There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. 1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by family violence. To talk to someone:
- Call 1800 737 732
- Text something like “hello” to 0458 737 732, or
- Chat online at 1800respect.org.au
Reach out for support
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
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Liquor licence waiver
If you are affected by disaster and hold a liquor licence you may request a waiver of your liquor licence renewal fee. Complete the fee waiver application on the Liquor Control Victoria website.
Community meetings
Grampians fire
Recordings of the community meetings for the Grampians fire are available on Ararat Rural City Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council and Southern Grampians Shire Council Facebook pages.
Bullengarook fire
Recordings of the community meetings held on Saturday 21 December and Sunday 22 December are available on the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Facebook page.
Emergency Relief Centres
All Emergency Relief Centres have closed. If you have immediate relief needs, speak to your local council for support.
Page last updated: 10:45am, 14 January 2025
