| National Emergency Management Agency

Four people undertaking cultural burning in an Australian forest.

Helping First Nations communities strengthen their disaster resilience

24 January 2024

Round Two of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is now accepting applications. The second round of the DRF is an opportunity for communities and organisations to receive Australian Government investment for First Nations resilience projects.

The DRF will provide up to one billion dollars over five years to build resilience to natural hazards in Australian communities.

The DRF invests in projects that support Australians to manage the physical and social impact of disasters caused by climate change and natural hazards.

As part of Round One, $200 million was provided for 187 projects across the country. We have now endorsed 59 project implementation plans, with at least 38 projects expected to commence in February 2024.

Round One of Disaster Ready Fund to deliver First Nations resilience projects

Several Round One projects of the DRF are being delivered in partnership with First Nations communities. These include investments in protecting and preserving cultural sites, in-situ artefacts, and objects from the impacts of natural hazards, and working in partnership with First Nations peoples to reduce risk.

Round Two will again provide up to $200 million for disaster risk reduction and resilience initiatives. We have built on the experiences and outcomes of Round One, and taken on board feedback from extensive stakeholder engagement, to make sure the funding is used effectively, is accessible to more regions, and facilitates multi-jurisdictional and national projects.

This is a unique opportunity for those who have local knowledge and are aware of what work needs to be undertaken, to reduce disaster risk and build resilience for First Nations communities across Australia.

Seeking First Nations resilience projects for Round Two of the Disaster Ready Fund

First Nations communities and organisations, interested in receiving investment to bring First Nations resilience project ideas to life, should develop and submit project proposals through their state or territory Lead Agencies, between 22 January and 20 March 2024. The Lead Agency is the best point of contact for a proposed application. Contact details are available on the DRF Round Two webpage.

We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent application process, including First Nations representation on the assessment panel. We encourage First Nations communities to take part in DRF Round Two and future rounds.

For more information visit Disaster Ready Fund – Round Two.

$26 million for Queensland waterways flood recovery

Natural resource management groups and bulk water utilities across South East Queensland, Wide Bay and Central Queensland will share in more than $26 million to support crucial recovery works for waterways, gullies and riverbanks impacted by the severe 2022 floods.

First ever emergency accommodation deployed to support Far North Queensland

In an Australian first, the Federal Government has deployed emergency accommodation to Far North Queensland’s hardest hit communities impacted by severe rainfall and flooding from Ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

A convoy of Humanihut containers arrived in Cairns earlier this week, with the emergency shelter being transported to the flood-hit town of Ayton on barges, including an Australian Defence Force LCM8 landing craft.

It is the first time the Australian Government has deployed the Commonwealth owned Humanihut emergency shelters.

$119 million flood recovery package for northern and central Queensland

Joint media release with the Hon Steven Miles MP and the Hon Nikki Boyd MP

A new $119.1 million recovery and resilience package will be jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments to help communities impacted by the prolonged 2023 monsoonal floods experienced across northern and central Queensland with long-term recovery. The package will build upon previous assistance, and will support infrastructure reconstruction and long-term community, economic and environmental recovery.

$6 million bushfire recovery package for southern Queensland

Joint media release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP

The Australian and Queensland Governments are rolling out more support for communities impacted by last year’s bushfires across southern Queensland.

The initial package includes $5 million in Exceptional Circumstances Recovery Grants for impacted farmers and primary producers in the Local Government areas of Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Gladstone, Maranoa, North Burnett, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Western Downs.

Federal disaster assistance extended to more flood and storm affected SEQ residents

Joint media release with the Hon Julie Collins MP

The Australian Government has extended disaster assistance payments to more people seriously impacted by the severe storms in South East Queensland (SEQ).

More areas in SEQ where there has been serious damage to homes will have access to the Australian Government Disaster Payment (AGDRP) payment from 8am AEST on Monday January 15, helping residents who suffered serious damage or injury:

Over $4.2 million in SEQ federal disaster assistance already delivered

Joint media release with the Hon Julie Collins MP

The Australian Government has delivered more than $4.2 million in disaster assistance payments directly to people impacted by the severe storms in South East Queensland, since applications opened on Monday afternoon.

Applications went live at 2pm on January 8, and so far over 3,400 claims for the Australian Government Disaster Payment (AGDRP) and the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) have been granted and paid out.

New multimillion-dollar funding package to help the Far North recover from ex-TC Jasper

Joint media release with the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, the Hon Steven Miles MP, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, the Hon Nikki Boyd MP and the Hon Michael Healy MP

The Australian and Queensland Governments are delivering further disaster assistance to help Far North Queensland continue its recovery following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The exceptional circumstances assistance is jointly-funded by the Albanese and Miles Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Personal Hardship Assistance helps more than 121,000 Queenslanders

Joint media release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP

More than 121,000 people have now benefitted from Commonwealth-State funded financial assistance to help rebuild their lives following the impacts of December’s severe weather events in Queensland.

As at 6pm Tuesday 9 January, 121,277 people impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and SEQ’s Christmas storms have been assisted through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (PHAS), with more than $21.5 million out the door to date.

ADF support and temporary accommodation for Far North Queensland disaster recovery

Joint media release with the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Senator Nita Green

The Australian Government is supporting the recovery effort in Far North Queensland (FNQ), following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

At the request of the Queensland Government, Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed to assist Queensland authorities in the Douglas, Cook and Wujal Wujal regions.

Find disaster recovery services and support