Financial assistance after a bushfire
Victorian bushfires, January 2026 – financial support
Personal Hardship Assistance Program
If a major emergency happens where you live, like a bushfire, the Victorian Government may give you money to help you. You do not need to pay this money back.
Re-establishment assistance
Emergency re-establishment assistance is available for eligible people impacted by the January 2026 fires.
It is designed to assist people and families to re-establish a principal place of residence. A principal place of residence is the primary home that you live in.
For more information visit Emergency Recovery Victoria.
Victorians impacted by the January 2026 bushfires can continue to access emergency recovery support from this event by calling the Emergency Recovery hotline on 1800 560 760.
Emergency relief payments
This program is now closed.
Emergency relief payments were available following the bushfires that started in January 2026 across parts of Victoria.
Emergency Recovery Support Program
This program helps people affected by the bushfires navigate and access the government support programs and services they need. It can also help with things like insurance and legal questions, finding local services and connecting people to essential health and wellbeing support.
Dedicated recovery support workers will also be available for people who need extra help navigating their recovery.
The Emergency Recovery Support Program is available by calling the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
Business Recovery Advisory Service
Advisors will deliver free, confidential one-on-one support to business owners, tailored to their circumstances and supporting their long-term recovery.
The Small Business Financial Counselling service provides free and confidential financial counselling to businesses who are in financial risk or at risk of it due to the bushfires.
To be eligible, your business must have been impacted or located within one of the local government areas affected by the summer 2026 Victorian bushfires (AGRN 1242).
The program closes on 31 October 2026.
More information is available at Business Victoria or by calling 13 22 15.
Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants
Grant applications closed on 21 October 2026.
Grants of up to $75,000 were available to eligible primary producers, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises.
For more information about the grants or to enquire about a current application visit Rural Finance or call 1800 260 425 during business hours.
Primary Producers Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans
Loan applications closed on 21 October 2026.
Loans of up to $250,000 were available for producers who suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 supported those who experienced a major loss of income.
For more information about the loans or to enquire about a current application visit Rural Finance or call 1800 260 425 during business hours.
Australian Government disaster payments
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Applications are now closed.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a one-off, non-means tested lump sum payment. It’s available if you’ve had major damage to your home or major assets that you own at your home. It can also help if you were seriously injured or your immediate family member has died or is missing.
Disaster Recovery Allowance
Applications are now closed.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance is an allowance for up to 13 weeks to help if you have lost income as a direct result of the January 2026 Victorian Bushfires.
For more information, visit Services Australia.
Victorian Emergency Relief Recovery Foundation payment
Applications are now closed.
A $1,000 payment was available if bushfires in Victoria significantly damaged or destroyed your home during the 2025-26 summer.
For more information, visit Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation.
Free clean-up program
Registrations for Emergency Recovery Victoria's Clean-Up Program closed on 31 August 2026.
If your home, business or community asset was damaged and you didn’t have insurance (or not enough), you may have been able to get free clean-up support.
For more information, visit the Emergency Recovery Victoria clean-up page, or call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
Recovery Water Tank Rebates
The program is now closed.
Households that were not connected to mains water supply were eligible to receive a rebate of up to $1,500 for cleaning and decontaminating rainwater tanks, roofs, and gutters that are impacted by fires.
Prolonged Power Outage Payments
This program has now closed.
Between 7-10 January, extreme weather and bushfires resulted in power outages across Victoria and subject to eligibility criteria, the Prolonged Power Outage Payment were available.
For more information visit Energy outages.