Bushfire Support and Advice

DFFH Emergency Relief payments

You may be eligible for an emergency relief payment if you have unmet immediate relief needs and:

• your principal place of residence is damaged or destroyed by the January 2026 bushfires, and you can’t live in it, or
• your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property.

Under this payment, people can get:

• a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child
• up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family.

The payment is to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation. Payments are a fixed amount for each member of a household and are not calculated based on how much money you earn.

To apply for a payment:

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) can help you apply for this payment.

• Call the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 (Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone)
• Visit an Emergency Relief Centre.

Have personal identification (ID) with you if you can. This could be a: 

For more information and to apply visit January 2026 fires - DFFH Services

Emergency re-establishment assistance

Provides a payment if you can't return home because it was damaged or destroyed, you don't have insurance and you can't afford repairs.
Apply through the Emergency Recovery Hotline – 1800 560 760 (press 4)

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments

There are two Australian Government payments you may be eligible for if you’ve been directly affected by the Victoria Bushfires, January 2026:

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)

This payment is to help you if the disaster caused major damage to your home or major assets that you own at your home. It can also help if you were seriously injured or your immediate family member has died or is missing.

It’s a lump sum non-taxable payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children under 16.

If you’re a New Zealand citizen living in Australia, you may be eligible for New Zealand Disaster Recovery Payment.
For more information on eligibility and how to claim, visit the Services Australia website.

Apply online – servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfires-jan-2026-agdrp

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)

The DRA is financial support if you’ve lost income as a direct result of this disaster.

If you’re eligible, you’ll get the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your personal circumstances. You can get Disaster Recovery Allowance for a maximum of 13 weeks.

DRA is a taxable payment.

If you’re a New Zealand citizen living in Australia, you may be eligible for New Zealand Disaster Recovery Allowance.
For more information on eligibility and how to claim, visit the Services Australia website.

Apply online – servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfires-jan-2026-dra

If you’re eligible, you can get both AGDRP and Disaster Recovery Allowance. 

Prolonged Power Outage Payments

Eligible households who have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period will receive $2,380 per week for up to three weeks, helping families manage during this challenging time.

Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses visit Energy Victoria for full details.

Apply online – ausnetservices.com.au/outages/emergency-response or call 1300 561 171

Primary Producer Recovery Grants

Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of livestock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations.

Grants will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available on the Rural Finance website.

Apply online – ruralfinance.com.au/grants/

Council encourages farmers to contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service to assist them to complete their applications so that they have one less thing to do and can continue to focus on their recovery.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service provide professional, confidential, independent and local support and have been doing so since 1986. Aside from helping apply for grants they can assist review budgets, weigh up options, provide support with banks and much more.
1300 735 578
www.ruralfinance.com.au

Concessional Loans for Primary Producers

Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 will support those experiencing a major loss of income.

This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.

Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available on the Rural Finance website.

Apply online – ruralfinance.com.au/loans/

Rural Financial Counselling Services

Free and independent financial information, options, decision-making support and referral services.
For primary producers and small rural businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
They are available at wswrcs.com.au or 1300 735 578.

General financial counselling

A financial counsellor can help you make a plan to manage your money. They can also talk to creditors on your behalf.
Call the:

• National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007 to speak to a financial advisor.
• Mob Strong Debt Helpline for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people – 1800 808 488
• Small Business Debt Helpline – 1800 413 828
• Rural Financial Counselling Service for primary producers – 1300 771 741

Good Shepherd No Interest Loans 

Good Shepard have available for low-income earners or people who have experienced family or domestic violence, or health care card or pension card holders. Clients need to show they can repay the loan. 

Available loans: 

• up to $2000 for essentials like appliances, furniture, car repairs, education fees 
• up to $3000 for housing related expenses like bond or rent 
• up to $3000 for recovery from natural disaster 

Visit Good Shepherd.

National Australia Bank Disaster Relief Grants

NAB is providing $1,000 grants and additional financial relief to customers impacted by the bushfires across Victoria.
These grants will help NAB customers who have suffered major damage to their home, property or business to cover emergency expenses.

Banks

Banks and other financial institutions may offer assistance to customers affected by disasters. This can include temporary changes to banking arrangements, financial hardship support, and, in some cases, access to grants or other relief measures.

Contact your bank or financial institution directly to find out what support options are available to you.

Bendigo Bank
https://www.bendigobank.com.au/support/natural-disasters/
Bendigo Bank customers can contact our Mortgage Help Centre on 1800 652 146.
Bendigo Bank Agribusiness customers, please call 1300 660 115.

NAB
 https://www.nab.com.au/about-us/sustainability/natural-disaster-relief-support/get-help
Call NAB on 1300 308 132 Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 8:00pm (AEST/AEDT), Saturday, 9:00am to 1:00pm (AEST/AEDT).
If you're a business customer, call us on 1300 769 650 Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (AEST/ADST).

ANZ
 https://www.anz.com.au/support/services/natural-disaster-support/

ANZ has announced disaster relief support is available for customers impacted by bushfires in Victoria including: 

• Short-term payment relief on home loans, credit cards, personal loans and some business loans (we may still charge you interest during that period)
• Waiving fees for restructuring business loans
•  Waiving fees for accessing term deposits early
•  Also, those with ANZ Home and Contents Insurance may be eligible for emergency funds and temporary accommodation.

 Hotline 1800 149 549

Westpac
 https://www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/sustainability/initiatives-for-you/customers-disaster-relief/
If you need speak to someone for tailored support, contact the Westpac Assist team on 1800 067 497 or your Relationship Manager. 

CBA
 https://www.commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance.html
Help line for businesses 13 26 07

It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event. There is always help available.

Skipton to Streatham Fire Recovery Group 

This group is a private communications channel for residents directly affected by the fires only. 
To join the community-run WhatsApp Group, call Megan Read 0407 272 933.

Beaufort and Skipton Health Service
The Beaufort and Skipton Health service is offering assistance to those affected by the recent bushfires.
If you need assistance contact them and ask to speak to Jenny Holdsworth.
www.bshs.org.au
2 Blake Street, Skipton
5340 1100

Western Victoria Primary Health Network

Trauma counselling, general counselling and mental health support services are available for anyone affected by the recent fires in Streatham, Skipton, Carranballac. If you are seeking mental health support, would like someone to talk with or if you have other community concerns, please reach contact the Western Victoria Primary Health Network.

Air Quality 

You will see or smell smoke in parts of Victoria. The smoke is a result of a multiple bushfires and grassfires burning across various parts of the state. 
Anyone having trouble breathing or tightness in the chest should seek urgent medical assistance and call Triple Zero (000). 
Everyone should minimise the time spent in smoky conditions whenever practical to do so. Anyone vulnerable to smoke should limit time outdoors. When indoors, close windows and doors. 
If you or anyone in your care is worried about symptoms, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24. 
Learn about how smoke affects air quality and what you can do to manage your health in smoky conditions at the EPA website.

You can also contact:

• Your doctor 
• Local mental health professionals
• Lifeline - 131 114
• Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636
• MensLine - 1300 789 978
• Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800
• Parent Line - 13 22 89 

Agricultural Victoria

Agricultural Victoria have teams of field staff on the ground supporting farmers, prioritising animal welfare and carrying out impact assessments across the state. Any farmers needing support with animal welfare should call 1800 226 226.

Agriculture Victoria also provides information on a range of issues including:  

• Agisting livestock affected by a bushfire 
• Assessing cattle after a bushfire 
• Assessing sheep after a bushfire 
• Checking livestock, pets and animals 
• Information on health and wellbeing 
• Disposing of carcasses after a bushfire 
• Finance and insurance 
• Fire recovery checklist 
• Pasture recovery after a fire 
• Recover assets and check hazards 
• Recovery after bushfire for you and others – immediate coming days 
• Recovery after emergency – information for farmers 
• Stock water impacted by bushfire ash and debris  

Agriculture Victoria January 2026 Bushfires Resource Directory

 Call 1800 226 226 for urgent animal welfare needs. 

Emergency Fodder Support Program

An Emergency Fodder Support Program has been announced and is now in place to support farmers with urgent fodder needs to support the health and welfare of livestock.
Farmers in fire-affected areas can request emergency fodder by contacting the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) on 1300 882 833 or emailing vff@vff.org.au
Further information is available on the VFF website.
Agriculture Victoria and the VFF are working together to implement this program.

Fencing

Eligible property owners may get support to repair fencing if: 

• firefighting or disaster response teams brought about the damage, or 
• the fence is on the boundary of National Parks, State Parks or State Forests. 

To find out if your damage is eligible for support, you can contact DEECA on 136 186. In most cases, fences not on the boundary of parks or those covered by insurance won’t qualify for support. For more information visit Repair of Rural Fencing Damaged by Bushfires and Fire Control Line Stabilisation Policy.

A BlazeAid camp is set to start on Monday 19 January, offering additional volunteer help for rebuilding and repairing fencing. Contact Christine Male 0418 745 994 to register.

Assessing cattle after a bushfire

You can find Information on Agriculture Victoria webpage on Assessing Cattle after a Bushfire.

Safe disposal of dead stock

A bushfire, flood or drought can result in animal carcasses requiring disposal.
Guidance is provided in the Disposing of carcasses after bushfire, flood or drought section of Agriculture Victoria’s website. 
General information on farm biosecurity and animal disease is available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Horses and livestock in emergencies

Contact Agriculture Victoria for information about Horses and livestock in emergencies

If re-entering burned areas, care must be taken to assess whether a recently burnt area is suitable for horses. There may be hot spots that could flare up without warning or a contaminated water supply. And partially burned structures and trees may be unstable and suddenly fall over. 

Make sure the fencing is secure and the ground area is no longer warm. Check for ash pit areas where root systems have burned underground, downed power lines and dangerous debris before turning horses out into a burned paddock. 

Further information on Assessing horses after bushfires

Emergency Pet advice 

Your pets are your responsibility. Failing to plan ahead for your pets' safety during an emergency puts everyone's lives at risk. 
Information on animal welfare before and after an emergency. For more information visit Animal Welfare Victoria.
 After the emergency:

• If your pets are injured, seek veterinary treatment immediately. 
• If your pets are lost, notify your local council, microchip registry, neighbours and nearby animal shelters. You can also check social media sources (often in emergencies a site is set up to list lost and found animals) 

Injured native animals  

If you find an injured native animal you can:  

•  contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300  
•  find wildlife carers and organisations

Primary Producer Recovery Grants

Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of livestock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations.

Grants will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available on the Rural Finance website.

Concessional Loans for Primary Producers

Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 will support those experiencing a major loss of income.

This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.

Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available on the Rural Finance website.

Rural Financial Counselling Services

Free and independent financial information, options, decision-making support and referral services.
For primary producers and small rural businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
They are available at wswrcs.com.au or 1300 735 578.

All roads within the fire affected area have now been reopened.

For information on road closures call 13 11 70 or the VicTraffic website traffic www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au

Waste

Find help with cleaning up your property following the January 2026 Victorian bushfires.
Clean-up and waste

Safe disposal of dead stock

A bushfire, flood or drought can result in animal carcasses requiring disposal.
Agriculture Victoria has information about the Safe disposal of dead stock.
There is also general information on on-farm biosecurity and animal disease on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Disposal of fire affected materials

Help to clean-up uninsured or underinsured homes impacted by the January 2026 Victorian bushfires will be available soon at the Vic Emergency website.

Sign up at the webpage to get notified when clean-up support starts. They will send updates by email or SMS including:

• what type of support is available
•  who is eligible
•  how to register.

They may also send updates about other supports as they become available.

Asbestos in fire affected building materials

Fire damaged materials may contain asbestos. If your home, shed or nearby buildings were built before 2003, asbestos may be present. Disturbing burnt materials containing asbestos can release fibres into the air that are harmful to your health.

It is recommended not to inspect fire-damaged rubble and ash.

If you do stay safe: 

• avoid handling burnt building materials where possible 
• keep rubble wet to reduce dust 
• wear personal protective equipment 
• consider using a licensed asbestos removalist.

For more information on how to identify asbestos and what to do to remove it visit asbestos.vic.gov.au

EPA - Waste Management

The EPA offers resources to help you manage waste safely while protecting your health and the environment.

• January 2026 Victorian bushfires: Clean-up and Waste
• Waste from fires
• Farm waste
• Manage farm waste
  

Skip bins

General waste skips and metal skips can be provided to fire affected properties at no cost to assist with clean up. Contact Corangamite Shire on 5593 7100 to request a skip or Pyrenees Shire on 1300 797 363 to discuss on a case-by-case basis.

Recovery water tank cleaning rebates

Rebates for households who are not connected to the mains water supply to clean and fill water tanks impacted by the fires.
More information – https://www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/recovery-water-tank-rebates

Emergency Relief Drinking Water 2026

Guidance for community members affected by the Victorian fires that started in January 2026.
Emergency relief drinking water 2026

For advice on private drinking water supplies after a fire, visit Better Health Victoria.

Water safety: Tank water

Your tank water may not be safe to drink after a fire. It could be contaminated from debris, ash, dead animals, aerial fire retardants and water-bombing.

If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not:

• drink
• use for food preparation,
• use for brushing teeth
• give to animals (pets or livestock).

Use bottled water for drinking.
If you disconnected your downpipes before the fire, hose off your roof or wait for heavy rain before you reconnect them.
Only clean the ash and debris from your roof and gutters when it is safe to do so. 

If you need help accessing tank supplies or plumbers, contact council for a list of tank suppliers and plumbers who may be able to help on 1300 797 363.

Essential water replacement

If essential water was taken from your property to fight fires, you can request for it to be replaced.

The Essential Water Replacement Policy makes sure that water needed for homes, livestock, or crops is replaced.

You must request water replacement within 3 months of it being taken from your property. If essential water supplies run out, we will replace the water within 48 hours of your request, as long as it’s safe.

Please contact Council on 1300 797 363 to arrange.

For more information, visit Forest Fire Management Victoria. 

Water for stock

Arrangements can be made for stock water through DEECA’s Replacement of Essential Water program if emergency services used tanks or dams for firefighting. 

Please contact Council on 1300 797 363 to arrange.

For more information, visit Forest Fire Management Victoria. 

Insurance Council of Australia

Advice on when to contact your insurance company and how to document damage.

Insurance Council of Australia; What to do after a bushfire

Other resources

You can get free advice before accepting a settlement offer from your insurer. Talk to a financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

The Financial Rights Legal Centre can help you with insurance issues. They have factsheets and sample letters you can send to your insurer.

You can contact Disaster Legal Help Victoria to ask about your legal questions.

Allied Justice
Allied Justice is an organisation providing free legal advice, information and community legal education to people who live, work or study in the Grampians region. They can provide legal support in both legal and hardship matters.

www.alliedjustice.org.au
03 5331 5999
1800 466 488

Business Victoria

Tailored resources and information to help you plan, respond and recover in the event of an emergency.

• Disaster resilience resources
• Recovering from a bushfire 
• Disaster Resilience for Business Toolkit
• Workplace wellbeing

Prolonged power outage payment for businesses

This is a payment if your business has been without power for more than 7 days.

More information – energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages

Business Recovery Advisory Service

This is a free, confidential, one-on-one support to business owners to identify needs and develop strategies for long-term recovery.

More information – business.vic.gov.au

The Small Business Financial Counselling Service

This is a free and confidential financial counselling to businesses who are who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship due to the bushfires.

More information – business.vic.gov.au

Small Business Debt Helpline

Financial counsellors for assistance and referral for ongoing support.
1800 413 828
Contact the Small Business Debt Helpline

CPA  Australia

Advice, resources and strategies for small businesses recovering after a disaster.
1300 73 73 73
Contact CPA Australia

Land surveys

There are land surveyors who will provide professional advice on surveys and perform title boundary surveys at a discounted rate, only covering costs or less.
Contact – Surveyor-General Victoria on (03) 9194 0282 or email surveyor.general@transport.vic.gov.au

Rural Aid

Wellbeing support, counselling and practical assistance for farming families
1300 175 594
www.ruralaid.org.au

Drought Angels
Providing direct practical and financial support to farmers and rural communities.
www.droughtangels.org.au

Disaster Relief Australia
Disaster Relief Australia recruits, trains, equips, organises and deploys volunteers to aid disaster operations worldwide.

1300 372 287

GIVIT

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged across Victoria by devastating bushfires in January 2026. GIVIT is the official Emergency Recovery Victoria partner for donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by 2026 bushfires in Victoria, and we'll work with the government, local councils and recovery organisations to get people the help they need to recover.

Visit www.givit.org.au and filter by location to see what’s currently needed in affected areas.

You can also make donations to:

Victorian 2026 Bushfire Appeal
or call 1800 837 733

These donations will cover immediate and longer-term assistance, and programs identified by communities as priorities for their area. 100 per cent of donations will go to fire affected communities, and the Government is covering all the administrative costs.

BlazeAid

BlazeAid is volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires, cyclones, droughts and floods.

Skipton Foodbank

The Foodbank is accepting donations for bushfire relief at 10 Montgomery Street, Skipton. Open 12 pm to 7 pm daily.
For financial donations:
Skipton Food Bank
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 2309 67804

If trees on your property were damaged or destroyed in the recent bushfires, you may be eligible to apply for replacement plantings.

Agriculture Victoria has a program that provides grants to rural landowners seeking to integrate more trees into their land.

For eligibility details visit Victorian Trees on Farms Program.

Help after a bushfire(PDF, 282KB)

After a fire: returning home safely(PDF, 171KB)

Recovery after bushfire for you and others — the immediate coming days(PDF, 193KB)

After a fire: using your personal protective kit(PDF, 329KB)

Bushfire aftermath - safety tips(PDF, 319KB)

Bushfire smoke and your health(PDF, 176KB)

Guidelines for use of face masks(PDF, 256KB)

Power outages: food safety after a power failure(PDF, 158KB)

Recovery after fire Practical steps for farmers(PDF, 808KB) 

Recovery after an emergency: Information for farmers(PDF, 339KB) 

Recover assets and check hazards(PDF, 389KB)

Disposing of carcasses after bushfire(PDF, 357KB)

Composting mortalities on farms(PDF, 873KB)

Farm waste management(PDF, 415KB)

Fire recovery checklist(PDF, 151KB)

Pasture recovery after fire(PDF, 230KB)

Stock water impacted by bushfire ash and debris(PDF, 263KB)

Finance and insurance for farmers(PDF, 139KB)

After a fire: private drinking water and water tank safety(PDF, 125KB)

Private water sources in bushfire-affected areas(PDF, 62KB)

Stock water impacted by bushfire ash and debris(PDF, 263KB)

Planning exemptions for reconstruction after an emergency(PDF, 150KB)

Rebuilding after bushfires: A guide to planning your rebuild(PDF, 825KB)

Planning and building permits(PDF, 87KB)

Rebuild and repair your home after a disaster(PDF, 222KB)