Joint media release with the Hon Katy Gallagher
The Albanese Government is extending financial assistance to support more flood affected North Queensland communities through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP).
Claims will open at 2pm local time on Monday 10 March 2025.
Additional impact advice has been received from the Queensland Government. The AGDRP is being extended to the locality of Georgetown in Etheridge Shire, Damper Creek and Rungoo in Cassowary Coast and Bluewater in Townsville.
Before they claim, people can check their eligibility and information about the payment on the Services Australia website at Natural disaster support.
The easiest way to claim is online through myGov. 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.
This support supplements joint assistance activated by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the DRFA to support Queenslanders during this difficult time.
DRFA assistance currently available includes grants to support impacted residents who have lost household contents or essential service, need help reconnecting essential services and repairing structurally unsafe homes. The grants are administered by the Queensland Government but jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
We are also supporting primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and rural landholders with grants and loans.
Find out more about the assistance available through the DRFA at Disaster Management.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher:
'The entire government is focused on supporting Australians that are facing the effects of significant weather events at the moment.
'While there is a current focus on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, we know the recovery effort is ongoing in North Queensland and we are continuing to work hard to support these Queenslanders through a tough period.
'The impact of the recent flooding in Far North and North Queensland continues to be felt across the region and our government is continuing to support those impacted.
'AGDRP is one of the many Commonwealth and jointly funded payments available to support impacted communities through recovery.
'I encourage people in the impacted areas to check their eligibility for payments on Services Australia's website.'
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:
'We know it continues to be a challenging time for communities in North and Far North Queensland, who are recovering from flooding.
'As the nation's attention turns to response and recovery further south, I want to assure impacted North and Far North Queensland communities that we will continue to support them through their recovery.
'As the Queensland Government understands and makes more data available, we've been able to activate assistance for more communities.
'The AGDRP is one type of assistance out of many we've activated to support flood impacted residents. Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for some payment types and not others.
'Recovery can take time and our government is here for the long haul. The Albanese Government will continue working hand in glove with the Crisafulli Government to support impacted communities in Queensland.'
