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:

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

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 8:50am October 3 February 2025

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