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:
- Call VicEmergency on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter)
- Contact your local council www.vic.gov.au/know-your-council
Support for businesses
Bushfire recovery business supports
If your business or industry has been affected by the 2024-25 bushfires in Western Victoria, support is available to assist with your immediate and long-term recovery.
Business Bushfire Recovery Grant Program is now open for eligible businesses who experienced significant revenue decline due to the 2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires.
This program is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Western Victoria Bushfires which commenced in December 2024 (AGRN 1166).
More information and Resources for businesses
Find further support, services and information to help recover from the impacts of bushfire:
Recovering from a bushfire
Business Victoria - Prepare, respond and recover – Useful information and resources for businesses to access in preparation or after a major emergency.
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
- 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.
- Building and Plumbing Commission – 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 Building and Plumbing Commission 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
If your property was damaged, the Insurance Council of Australia has information about:
You can also contact:
- A financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline - 1800 007 007
- The Australian Financial Complaints Authority for independent dispute resolution for financial complaints
- Disaster Legal Help Victoria to speak to someone about your legal questions
Health and wellbeing
People can have varied reactions after a disaster. 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
- Understanding how frightening events can affect children
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:
- Reach out to family, friends or neighbours
- Contact your GP
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Last updated 8:50am October 3 February 2025