Joint media release with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
- Commonwealth Support is being extended to more communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in South East Queensland.
- The Disaster Recovery Allowance is being extended to the Local Government Area (LGA) of Livingstone.
- The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is being extended to Lockyer Valley LGA and suburbs in the LGAs of Scenic Rim, Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast.
- The support activated today supplements the joint assistance activated by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments in response to the different challenges that Queenslanders have experienced.
The Albanese Government is extending the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to additional locations, providing further support for communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its aftermath.
This event has impacted 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 or 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 Emergency 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 on the Queensland Government Website.
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 of this event, they may 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 LGA of Livingstone.
- If a person has suffered the most serious 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.
Today, the AGDRP has been extended to the Lockyer Valley LGA, the suburb of Bli Bli in the Sunshine Coast LGA, Booral, Burrum Heads, K'gari and River Heads in Fraser Coast LGA, Biddaddaba and Kooralbyn in the Scenic Rim LGA, and Versedale Scrub which crosses the Scenic Rim and Logan LGA.
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.
Claims for the AGDRP and DRA will open at 2pm local time on Thursday 20 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
"We know ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is having an enduring impact on South East Queensland and our government is working hard to support impacted communities during this difficult time.
"Services Australia staff are well practiced in supporting the community during times of emergency, and are working round the clock to process claims as quickly as possible.
"The Disaster Recovery Allowance will support workers who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of this event, while the AGDRP will help eligible residents who have experienced severe impacts like major damage to their home.
"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
"It's been a challenging time for communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and today's activation extends the support the Albanese Government is providing for impacted communities.
"The Disaster Recovery Allowance and AGDRP are just two of the many payments which are available to help impacted individuals begin their recovery process.
"We have worked closely with the Queensland Government to ensure that there are a range of payments available to meet different ways communities have been impacted in South East Queensland. I encourage impacted residents to check the eligibility criteria.
"Recovery can take time, and we will stand by the communities in South East Queensland for the long haul."
