Additional Commonwealth financial assistance made available for flood victims in Queensland and New South Wales

Financial assistance is available to residents in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales impacted by the flooding disaster unfolding across the two states.

The Commonwealth Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Payment and the Disaster Recovery Allowance to support 15 LGAs in South East Queensland for residents in the local government areas of Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba. This is in addition to the assistance already activated for Gympie and North Burnett.

In addition to assistance for South East Queensland, the Commonwealth Government is extending the same financial assistance to Northern New South Wales local government areas of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed. Claims for these payments can be made from tomorrow, Tuesday 1 March 2022.

Affected Queensland residents can now claim the Disaster Recovery Payment, with claims for Disaster Recovery Allowance available as of today, Tuesday 1 March 2022.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Commonwealth Government is closely monitoring the flood emergency and our hearts go out those people whose lives are affected.

“The Commonwealth Government have made financial support available now because we know the economic impact of disasters like these are felt long after flood water recede and there will be some very tough, days weeks and months ahead for thousands of people in Queensland and New South Wales,” Mr Vasta said.

The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child, and is available to eligible people in those affected local government areas who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.

Disaster Recovery Allowance will also be provided in the same affected local government areas. DRA assists employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster. DRA is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks and is taxable.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.

The easiest and quickest way to claim the Disaster Recovery Payment or the Disaster Recovery Allowance is online through myGov. If people require support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66,

To provide further support the Australian Government is also pausing Centrelink debt raising and new debt recovery in the affected locations.

Online claiming via MyGov is available 24×7.  The Australian Government Emergency Information Line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time. For more information on support available, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster.