Joint media release with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
The Albanese Government today activated its latest round of support for communities affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its aftermath, extending the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to additional locations.
This event has impacted on people in different ways.
The Albanese Government is working closely with the Crisafulli Government to ensure that supports are available in response to the different challenges that people have experienced.
Joint Commonwealth-State supports:
- If a person lost essential services such as power, gas, water and sewerage for more than 5 days, they may be eligible for the Essential Services Hardship Assistance: a payment of between $150 - $750 depending on household size.
- If a person needs help to cover the costs of emergency essentials like food clothing and medicine, they may be eligible for the Personal Hardship Assistance: a payment of between $180 - $900 depending on household size.
- If a person lost essential household contents like bed linen or white goods, they may be eligible for the Essential Household Contents Grant: a payment of between $1,765 - $5,300 depending on household size.
- If a person's home has become structurally unsafe to live in they may be eligible for the Structural Assistance Grant: uninsured, low income owner occupiers can receive up to $80,000 to help repair home to make it safe, secure and habitable.
These payments are administered by the Queensland Government and people can check their eligibility at: Queensland Disaster Support and Recovery.
The Albanese Government has also extended Australian Government support to more people impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Commonwealth supports:
- If a person has suffered a loss of income as a direct result, they may also be eligible for the Australian Government's Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA), which offers up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances.
Today, the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) has been extended to the two LGAs of Bundaberg and Toowoomba.
- If a person has suffered the most extreme impacts including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, they may be eligible for the AGDRP which offers residents $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.
The payment will be made available in the LGAs of Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Toowoomba and the twenty-four localities of Allenview, Barney View, Beechmont, Benobble, Binna Burra, Boyland, Bromelton, Canungra, Ferny Glen, Flying Fox, Illinbah, Mount Barney, Mount Lindesay, O'Reilly, Palen Creek, Rathdowney, Running Creek, Sarabah, Tamborine, Tamborine Mountain, Witheren, Wonglepong and Wyaralong (in the LGA of Scenic Rim) and the four localities of Brightview, Dundas, Glamorgan Vale and Royston (in the LGA of Somerset).
These are in addition to those areas previously activated.
As additional information about impacts becomes available, the government will consider other locations.
Residents can check their eligibility for the AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia website at: Services Australia Disaster Support .
Claims for AGDRP will open at 2pm AEDT on Monday 17 March 2025.
The quickest way to claim is online through myGov, or via the myGov app. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or they can call 1800 076 072.
Claims for AGDRP will open at 2pm AEDT on Monday 17 March 2025.
The quickest way to claim is online through myGov, or via the myGov app. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or they can call 1800 076 072.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher
"The recovery effort is still continuing in South East Queensland, and our thoughts are with those who've been affected.
"AGDRP will offer some support to people who are dealing with things like damaged homes.
"I urge people to check out the Services Australia website to see if they're eligible for AGDRP."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister
"The recent tropical cyclone and its aftermath has caused destruction in Queensland, and this extension is the latest part of the Albanese Government's support for local communities.
"The support through AGDRP is just part of the support that we are providing to help those affected rebuild their lives.
"As we assess the full impact of the event, we are mobilising swiftly to ensure that affected areas receive the necessary support.
"Recovery is a long process, and we are committed to standing by the people of Queensland throughout their journey to rebuild."
