Joint media release with NEMA and Services Australia
More than 20,000 people seriously affected by the New South Wales floods that started in September last year have received over $33 million in Australian Government disaster support. Severe flooding across New South Wales impacted significant parts of the state causing damage to homes, properties, buildings, assets, infrastructure and businesses. To assist with the recovery, the Australian Government made disaster payments available for impacted people.
These assistance measures close on 9 July 2023. As of 29 June 2023, one off, non means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments, (AGDRP) totalling $26.3 million have been provided to 21,715 eligible individuals in 26 local government areas.
The payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to those people who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.
As of 29 June 2023, Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) payments totalling $7.2 million have been provided to 1,857 eligible individuals in 76 local government areas. The DRA payment assists employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is a taxable, fortnightly payment made payable for a maximum of 13 weeks.
Equivalent financial assistance has been made available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.
Other states and territories continue to recover from flood events across the nation with the following claims for AGDRP and DRA payments still available for: Queensland - Northern Queensland Monsoon and Flooding – December 2022. Assistance for AGDRP and DRA closes on 15 September 2023. Western Australia - Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and associated flooding – December 2022. Assistance for AGDRP closes on 12 July and assistance for DRA closes on 6 July.
Northern Territory - Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and flooding – December 2022. Assistance for DRA closes on 6 July.
Northern Territory - Northern Region Flooding – February 2023. Assistance for AGDRP and DRA closes on 27 September 2023.
The easiest way for eligible people to claim is online through myGov, which is available 24 hours a day. For information on eligibility and how to apply, via servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport.
For information on all assistance the Australian and respective state governments have made available to individuals, businesses and councils following the extensive flooding, please visit nema.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Services Australia’s General Manager, Hank Jongen: When Australians are in need, the Australian Government is there. Supporting communities through crisis is what Services Australia is geared to do, and they have a proud track record of being there to help when people need it most. Services Australia continues to work closely with local, state and federal government agencies in New South Wales to ensure people impacted can access the help they need, as quickly as possible.
Quotes attributable to National Emergency Management Agency Coordinator-General, Brendan Moon: These payments complement the significant recovery packages that the Australian and New South Wales Governments are delivering under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, right across disaster-impacted communities in the state. I encourage people who were impacted by the New South Wales floods to access the support made available to help people with their recovery needs.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Services Australia Media – 0411 670 958
NEMA Media – 0427 182 853