Key Takeaways:
- The Victorian government has announced emergency assistance payments of up to $52,250 for uninsured households affected by the bushfires to re-establish their principal place of residence.
- The payments are means-tested and available to eligible homeowners and renters who cannot afford to fix their home or replace contents damaged by the fires.
- Other financial assistance available includes emergency relief payments of $680 per adult and $340 per child, and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child.
- The government has also launched the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with donations open online to support fire-affected communities.
Introduction to the Bushfire Relief Efforts
The Victorian government has announced a range of financial assistance packages to support households and communities affected by the devastating bushfires. The emergency assistance payments of up to $52,250 are designed to help uninsured households re-establish their principal place of residence. This announcement follows a $19.5 million immediate support package unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which includes funding for fodder, emergency accommodation, and disaster recovery mental health support. The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the town of Natimuk, one of the worst-hit communities, to announce the emergency assistance payments.
Eligibility for Emergency Assistance Payments
The emergency re-establishment assistance payments are means-tested and can be accessed by eligible homeowners and renters who cannot afford to fix their home or replace contents damaged by the fires. To be eligible, applicants must not have building or contents insurance and cannot return home because it is damaged or destroyed. The grants can be used to cover the costs of essentials such as food, clothing, medication, and accommodation. For more information, individuals can phone the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 or visit the emergency.vic.gov.au/relief website.
Personal Hardship Assistance Program
The Personal Hardship Assistance Program provides emergency relief payments of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per family. To be eligible, individuals must have unmet immediate relief needs and their principal place of residence must be damaged or destroyed by the bushfires, or they must have evacuated their property due to an evacuation warning. The payment is designed to help cover the costs of essentials such as food, clothing, medication, and accommodation. Individuals can apply for a payment by visiting an emergency relief centre or calling the VicEmergency Hotline.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment provides a one-off payment of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child to individuals who have been directly affected by the bushfires. To be eligible, individuals must have had major damage to their principal place of residence, major damage to a major asset or assets, received a serious injury, or have an immediate family member who has died or is missing. Claims can be made via the Services Australia website, and individuals must live in one of the specified areas, including Barkers Creek, Harcourt, and Natimuk.
Support for Farming Communities
The Victorian government’s existing Look Over the Farm Gate program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to support farming communities experiencing stress. The grants can be used for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing, and are designed to help communities recover together. The Rural Financial Counselling Service can also provide financial and business counselling, as well as free, confidential wellbeing support. Wellbeing counsellors are available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families, either at their property or over the phone.
Mental Health Assistance and Livestock Support
The government has also announced support for mental health and livestock. The Rural Financial Counselling Service can provide financial and business counselling, as well as free, confidential wellbeing support. Farmers who want to check on their animals can lodge a request directly with Agriculture Victoria, who will work with the local fire incident controller to assess the request and determine the earliest and safest way to gain access to their properties. The Victorian Farmers Federation is also coordinating the donation and delivery of emergency fodder relief for farmers affected by the fires.
Donations and Support for Fire-Affected Communities
The state government has launched the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with donations open online to support fire-affected communities. Donations will cover immediate and longer-term assistance, and programs identified as priority areas by communities. The government will cover all administrative costs, and 100 per cent of donations will go to fire-affected communities. Individuals can donate online to support the relief efforts and help those affected by the bushfires.