Relief & Recovery

2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires

2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires

On this page

  • Financial help
  • Business support
  • Returning home after a bushfire
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Support for people impacted by family violence

Financial help

Emergency relief payments

Applications for emergency relief payments have now closed.

Emergency relief payments are designed to provide immediate financial help for relief needs for eligible Victorians experiencing extreme financial hardship due to the 2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires.

More information

For more information or support, you can:

Disaster Recovery Allowance

People who live or work in the following local government areas may be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA):

  • Ararat
  • Hindmarsh
  • Horsham
  • Macedon Ranges
  • Northern Grampians
  • Southern Grampians
  • West Wimmera.

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 and:

  • 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.

Find information regarding eligibility and how to claim on the Services Australia website.

Support for businesses

Bushfire recovery business supports 

If your business or industry has been impacted by the bushfires, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery.

Upcoming supports include:

  • Business Recovery Advisory Service – free business support for impacted businesses, via telephone, online or in-person for impacted businesses, to find the right strategies for long-term recovery.
  • Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program – $5,000 grants to small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the bushfires.

Register your interest to receive updates on the recovery grants and other related supports as they become available.

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.

Resources for businesses

Business Victoria - Prepare, respond and recover – Useful information and resources for businesses to access after a major emergency.

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

Insurance

If your property was damaged, the Insurance Council of Australia has information about:

You can also contact: 

Health and wellbeing

People can have varied reactions after a disaster. there is practical information and advice for:

Support services

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:

Last updated 5:20pm Monday 24 February 2025

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