Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said that the Kimberley region of WA experienced torrential rainfall, disrupting freight and road services and displacing thousands of people.
“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, Mr Jongen said.
“A 700km section of the Great Northern Highway was closed – one of the major transport networks across the north of WA – which isolated communities and prompted concerns over food and medical supplies.
“To assist with the recovery, disaster payments were made available for impacted customers.
“As of 29 June 2023, one off, non means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments, (AGDRP) totalling $2.8 million have been provided to 2,337 eligible individuals in the local government area of Derby West Kimberley,” Mr Jongen said.
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 impact of ex-tropical cyclone Ellie, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.
“As of 29 June 2023, Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) payments totalling over $449,500 have been provided to 112 eligible individuals in 4 local government areas of Broome, Derby West Kimberley, Halls Creek and Wyndham East Kimberley, Mr Jongen said.
“The 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.
Importantly, the assistance for DRA closes on 6 July and for AGDRP on 12 July 2023.
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. Assistance for AGDRP and DRA closes on 15 September 2023.
New South Wales – NSW flooding –September 2022. Assistance for AGDRP and DRA closes on 9 July 2023.
Northern Territory - Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and flooding – December 2022.Assistance for DRA closes on 6 July.
Northern Region Flooding – February2023 Assistance for AGDRP and DRA closes on 27 September 2023.
People should check their eligibility and how to claim, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport.
This release was originally published on the Services Australia Website