Joint media release with the Hon Katy Gallagher MP
The Albanese Government today activated its latest round of support for communities affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its aftermath, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP).
AGDRP offers residents $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child for people who suffered serious damage to their home or injury as a result of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The payment will be made available in the suburbs of Forest Hill, Laidley, Laidley Creek West, Laidley Heights, Laidley North, Laidley South, Grantham in the Lockyer Valley LGA and Nambour, Eudlo and Palmwoods in the Sunshine Coast LGA.
As additional information about impacts becomes available, the government will consider other locations.
The AGDRP, assessed through Services Australia, is designed to support residents who suffered serious damage to their home, injury or loss of a loved one as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
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.
This event impacted households in different ways.
The Albanese Government is working with the Crisafulli Government to ensure that we provide assistance to meet the needs of households, depending on the impacts they experienced.
Joint Queensland and Commonwealth supports:
Other supports activated under the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) across a range of LGAs include:
- If someone 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 someone 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 someone lost essential household contents like bed linen or whitegoods, they may be eligible for the Essential Household Contents Grant: a payment of between $1,765 - $5,300 depending on household size.
- If someone'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.
Access to these supports is via the Queensland Government website at Tropical Cyclone Alfred March 2025 | Community support | Queensland Government.
Residents can check their eligibility for the AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia website at: Services Australia Natural disaster support.
Claims for AGDRP will open at 2pm local time on Friday 14 March 2025.
The quickest 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.
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 and cars.
"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 the Albanese Government is ready to support local communities.
"The support through AGDRP is just part of the comprehensive aid we're 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."
