Disaster Ready Fund

The Australian Government has established the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF). The DRF will provide up to one billion dollars over the next five years, from 2023-24 to help communities protect themselves against the impacts of natural hazards across Australia.  

Purpose 

Thousands of Australians face bushfires, floods and cyclones every year. The DRF will curb the devastating impacts of natural hazards by investing in important disaster prevention projects. Projects could include direct investment in grey and green-blue infrastructure, for example flood levees, floodways, seawalls, firebreaks, constructed wetlands and reefs. Projects that target systemic risk reduction to improve the quality and impact of the response to future disasters will also be eligible.

The DRF will deliver against the recommendations of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into National Disaster Funding in 2015 for up to $200 million per year on disaster resilience, with funding matched by states and territories. It is also supported by Deloitte’s 2022 report Adapting Australia for Climate Resilient Growth and the Insurance Council of Australia’s 2022 report Building a more resilient Australia, which have both called for increased investment in resilience and climate adaptation funding.

The DRF is given effect through the Disaster Ready Fund Act 2019.

The DRF replaces the Emergency Response Fund, which terminates on 30 June 2023. The ERF committed $50 million per year for resilience building measures – the DRF will commit up to four times that amount – up to $200 million, per year and will help shift the Fund’s focus from recovery and repair to disaster prevention.

The DRF will complement, rather than duplicate, the recovery funding available under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will collaborate closely with state and territory governments to deliver a set of locally-driven, but nationally significant, projects with states and territories expected to contribute 50 per cent towards the cost of projects.

Consultation with states, territories, local government and other key stakeholders will continue throughout the life of the Fund to ensure strong and constructive collaboration and the achievement of the maximum benefit possible for all jurisdictions.

Disaster Ready Fund Round One 2023-24

Applications for Round One of the Disaster Ready Fund opened on 10 January 2023 and closed on 6 March 2023. NEMA is currently assessing the applications through a robust assessment process and in accordance with the DRF Round One Guidelines. Successful projects are expected to be announced by mid-2023.

For further information regarding DRF Round One, 2023-24 please visit the DRF Round One webpage.

Disaster Ready Fund Round Two 2024-25

Funding for Round Two will become available from 1 July 2024.

Round Two of the DRF will build on the experience and outcomes from Round One, as well as ongoing stakeholder engagement. 

NEMA expects to commence consultations on Round Two from June 2023. To receive updates on the progress of Round Two, please email Disaster.Ready@nema.gov.au.

Frequently asked questions

Why has this fund been established?

The safety and wellbeing of Australians is the Government’s highest priority.

With increased severity and frequency of disasters across Australia, it’s critical to ensure that communities are as prepared as possible.

The Australian Government is committed to investing in resilience initiatives to reduce the risk of disaster impacts and ensure that communities are in the best possible position for recovery when disaster does occur.

What will it look like?

The DRF will provide up to $200 million every year over five years to disaster resilience and mitigation projects across Australia.

The DRF will curb the devastating impacts of natural hazards, such as bushfires, floods and cyclones, by investing in important disaster prevention projects.

Projects may include direct investment in grey and green-blue infrastructure, for example levees, floodways, seawalls, firebreaks, constructed wetlands and reefs.

Projects that target systemic risk reduction to improve the quality and impact of the response to future disasters will also be eligible.

When will applications open and close?

Applications for Round One - 2023-24 of the Disaster Ready Fund will open on 10 January 2023 and close on 6 March 2023.

For further information regarding the DRF Round One - 2024-24, please visit the DRF Round One webpage.

How does DRF relate to the Emergency Response Fund?

The DRF will replace the Emergency Response Fund (ERF), which will terminate on 30 June 2023, following the passing of the Emergency Response Fund Amendment (Disaster Ready Fund) Bill 2022 in November 2022.