Joint media release with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
The Albanese Government is extending financial assistance to support more flood affected North Queensland communities through the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP).
Claims will open for both payments at 2pm on Friday 21 February 2025.
The DRA will be extended to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Longreach, McKinlay, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw, Richmond and Winton. This is in addition to the seventeen previously-activated LGAs.
DRA is available to individuals who live or work in the declared LGAs and have lost some or all of their income due to the disaster. To be eligible for DRA, a person's income must have fallen below the average Australian weekly income as a result of the floods.
AGDRP will be extended to Kennedy and South Mission Beach in the Cassowary Coast Region, as well as Annandale, Belgian Gardens, Heatley, Hermit Park, Rowes Bay, Vincent and Wulguru in Townsville City. This is in addition to the ten previously-activated areas.
Before they claim, people can check their eligibility 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.
Find out more about the assistance available through the DRFA at Disaster management in Queensland.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher
"I've been on the ground in North Queensland this week hearing from people who've been impacted by this disaster.
"We have listened and that is why we are extending this important payment to more areas in the flood affected regions.
"During my visit I got to meet and thank the hundreds of workers in the region who have been working tirelessly since the weather event hit to deliver these payments quickly to those who need them.
"I encourage everyone living or working in these areas to jump on the Services Australia website and see if they're eligible for these support payments and I know that they will be supported ably by the wonderful Services Australia teams across North Queensland."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister
"It's been a really difficult time for communities in North and Far North Queensland, who have been significantly impacted by the flooding events over the last couple of weeks.
"The AGDRP and DRA are two of a range of measures we have activated to assist flood impacted residents begin their recovery.
"Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for some payment types and not others.
"As we understand the full extent of damage from this rain and flooding event, we are moving quickly to activate appropriate support for these communities.
"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."
More information
DRA is paid at the equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, based on the individual's personal circumstances for a maximum of 13 weeks, starting from the date of the loss of income.
The DRA is available for eligible individuals in Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Longreach, McKinlay, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw, Richmond and Winton, Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville, Cairns, Charters Towers, Etheridge, Tablelands, Whitsunday and Yarrabah, Carpentaria, Cook, Croydon, Douglas, Flinders and Wujal Wujal LGAs.
The AGDRP is available for eligible individuals in Cardwell, Carruchan, Ellerbeck, Wongaling Beach, Kennedy and South Mission Beach in the Cassowary Coast Region, as well as Annandale, Balgal Beach, Bluewater Park Belgian Gardens, Heatley, Hermit Park, Rowes Bay, Vincent and Wulguru in Townsville City, Giru in the Burdekin LGA, and Paluma, which crosses the Townsville and Charters Towers LGAs, and the entirety of the Hinchinbrook LGA.
