Cyclone Relief Payment: What Financial Aid Is Available & How to Claim
If youâve been caught up in the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, youâre not alone. This severe weather event brought destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding to communities across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Homes were damaged, power was lost, and daily life was turned upside down for many.
To help you get back on your feet, both the Australian Government and state governments have rolled out financial assistance programs, commonly known as cyclone relief payment. In this guide, weâll walk you through the supports available, whether youâre eligible, how much you can receive, and most importantly, how to claim them.
Australian Government Cyclone Relief Payment
If youâve been affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which impacted parts of Queensland and New South Wales in March 2025, the Australian Government offers two key financial support options to assist you:
1. Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The AGDRP is a non-taxable lump sum payment provided to individuals who have suffered significant losses due to a declared disaster. For Cyclone Alfred, the payment amounts are:
$1,000 per eligible adult
$400 per eligible child
This cyclone payment can assist with urgent needs such as temporary accommodation, essential repairs, or replacing vital household items.
Who Can Receive It?
You may qualify for the AGDRP if you are an Australian resident or eligible under other residence rules who:
Live or work in a declared disaster area affected by Cyclone Alfred
Were seriously injured as a direct result of the cyclone
Are an immediate family member of someone who died due to the disaster
Had your home severely damaged or destroyed
Experienced significant damage to major assets
Eligibility is determined based on the severity of impact and the location of your residence during the cyclone.
How to Apply
To apply for the Australian Government cyclone disaster relief payment:
Link your Centrelink account to myGov: Ensure you have an active myGov account connected to Centrelink.
Complete the online claim form: Log in to myGov and navigate to the Centrelink section to find the âApply for Disaster Recovery Paymentâ portal.
Provide necessary documentation: You may need to supply evidence of the damage or impact, such as photos, insurance assessments, or official notices.
Application Deadlines
Claims for the Cyclone Alfred disaster payment must be submitted by:
18 September 2025 for eligible areas in Queensland
13 September 2025 for eligible areas in New South Wales
Itâs important to apply as soon as possible to ensure timely processing of your claim.
2. Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
Besides the $1000 Cyclone Alfred payment QLD & NSW, the federal government also provides a Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA), which is a short-term income support for up to 13 weeks, starting from the date you began losing income due to the cyclone.
The payment amount is equivalent to the JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your circumstances
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for the DRA if you:
Are 16 years or older
Are an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
Live or work in a declared disaster area affected by Cyclone Alfred
Have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the cyclone
Are not receiving another income support payment such as JobSeeker or Age Pension
Have an income that has fallen below the average Australian weekly income ($1,924.60 before tax) due to the disaster.
How to Apply
Applying for the DRA is straightforward:
Set up a myGov account and link it to your Centrelink account.
Sign in to myGov and navigate to the Centrelink section.
Select the âApply for Disaster Recovery Allowanceâ option and complete the online claim form.
Provide necessary documentation to demonstrate your loss of income, such as payslips, bank statements, or a letter from your employer.
Application Deadlines
Claims for the DRA must be submitted by:
18 September 2025 for eligible areas in Queensland
8 September 2025 for eligible areas in New South Wales
If you have questions or need assistance for either payment, you can visit the Services Australia Natural Disaster Support page or call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line at 180 22 66.
Queensland Government Cyclone Relief Payment
If youâre a Queensland resident affected by Cyclone Alfred, the state government also offers a range of cyclone relief payments to help you manage the immediate and longer-term impacts. Hereâs a breakdown of the grants you may be eligible for:
1. Emergency Hardship Assistance
This payment helps cover essential needs such as food, clothing, medication, and temporary accommodation when youâre experiencing personal hardship.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in or were stranded in an affected area
Are unable to meet your immediate essential needs
Grant amount:
$180 per individual
Up to $900 for families of five or more
2. Essential Services Hardship Assistance
This grant is for when youâve lost power, water, gas, or sewage services for more than five days and are struggling as a result.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in an affected area
Have had one or more essential services cut off for over five days
Have confirmation from your utility provider(s)
Grant amount:
$150 per individual
Up to $750 for families of five or more
3. Essential Household Contents Grant
This helps replace essential household items like bedding, white goods, or kitchen appliances that were lost or damaged.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in the affected area
Own or rent the damaged property
Owned the damaged items
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Meet income limits
A home visit and/or photographic evidence is usually required to assess your claim.
Grant amount:
Up to $1,765 for individuals
Up to $5,300 for couples or families
4. Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme (ESSRS)
This support helps with safety inspections and repairs to reconnect essential services like electricity, gas, water, and sewage.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in the affected area
Own and live in the affected property
Had your services disconnected due to cyclone damage
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Meet income eligibility
Grant amount:
Up to $200 for inspection costs
Up to $4,200 for repairs or replacement of essential services
5. Structural Assistance Grant
If your home has become structurally unsafe to live in, this grant helps cover repairs or contributes toward rebuilding.
You may be eligible if you:
Own and live in the affected home
Have experienced structural damage from the cyclone
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Meet the income requirements
Grant amount:
Up to $80,000 for uninsured, low-income owner-occupiers
How to Apply
You can apply for any of these Queensland cyclone relief payments through the following channels:
Online via the Community Recovery Portal
By phone on the Community Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349
In person at a Community Recovery Hub or support service location near you
For full details, visit the official Queensland Government Disaster Recovery page.
New South Wales Cyclone Relief Payment
If youâre living in New South Wales and were impacted by Cyclone Alfred, the NSW Government, with support from the Commonwealth, is offering financial assistance to individuals and households in declared disaster areas (AGRN 1198). Hereâs whatâs available:
1. Personal Hardship Assistance Payment
This one-off payment helps you meet urgent expenses for essentials like food, clothing, medicine, and emergency accommodation.
You may be eligible if:
You live in a declared affected Local Government Area (AGRN 1198)
You were evacuated due to a red emergency warning or
You experienced a power outage of 48 hours or more due to Cyclone Alfred
Grant amount:
$180 per eligible adult
$180 per eligible dependent (up to 4 dependents)
Apply through Service NSW. Applications close on 8 April 2025.
2. Immediate Financial Assistance & Emergency Aid
Service NSW also provides on-the-spot financial help and material aid for essentials such as:
Food and groceries
Clothing and personal care items
Emergency accommodation and transport
This support is offered through local recovery centres and outreach teams. If you need urgent help, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit a local recovery hub.
3. Disaster Relief Grants (Income-Tested)
For more substantial damage or loss, Disaster Relief Grants may be available to help low-income households replace essential items or carry out critical repairs.
These grants may apply if you:
Live in an affected LGA (AGRN 1198)
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Have experienced damage to your essential household contents or home structure
Meet income and asset eligibility requirements, similar to the Age Pension criteria
There are two main types of grants available:
Essential Household Contents Grant â to replace lost essentials like bedding, furniture, white goods
Structural Repairs Grant â to restore your home to a safe, secure, and habitable condition
To apply or discuss your eligibility, call Revenue NSW on 1300 069 550 (Monday to Friday, 8:30amâ5:00pm Sydney time).
For more info, visit the NSW Tropical Cyclone Alfred Financial Support page.
How to Prepare for Future Cyclone Events?
Make a Household Emergency Plan
Think about how youâll respond if a cyclone hits your area. Talk to your household about:
Where youâll go if you need to evacuate
How youâll stay in touch if you get separated
What to do with pets
How youâll turn off electricity, gas, and water if needed
Print your plan, keep a copy in your emergency kit, and make sure everyone knows where to find it.
Pack an Emergency Kit
A cyclone can cut off access to power, clean water, or roadsâsometimes for days. Have a ready-to-go emergency kit with:
First-aid supplies
A torch and spare batteries
Portable phone chargers
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Important documents (ID, insurance, medical info) in a waterproof folder
Essential medications
Update your kit every season to make sure items are still in date and in good condition.
Prepare Your Property
Minimise the risk of damage by carrying out home safety preparation for electrical storms:
Clear gutters and drains
Trim overhanging branches
Secure outdoor furniture, tools, and play equipment
Know how to reinforce windows and doors if needed
If you live in a flood-prone area, consider using sandbags or raising valuables off the ground.
Invest in Home Backup Power
One of the biggest challenges after a cyclone is the loss of electricityâsometimes even for days. Having a reliable home backup generator gives you peace of mind and keeps essential devices and appliances running when the grid goes down.
Youâve got a few options when it comes to home backup power:
Fuel-powered generators â effective, but noisy, smoky, high-maintenance, and dependent on petrol or diesel, which may be hard to access during a disaster.
Home battery backup solutions â quiet, clean, and easy to set up indoors. Theyâre safe for families and more sustainable.
Solar generators â combine battery portable power stations with solar panels, so you can recharge even during extended outagesâno fuel needed.
If youâre looking for a high-performance, reliable battery backup solution, consider the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station. It delivers serious powerâenough to run high-demand appliances like fridges, washing machines, air conditioners, or sensitive electronics like servers and internet routers.
With 230V output and 4000W capacity (surging to 8000W), itâs more than capable of handling multiple devices at once. Each unit holds 4kWh of energy, and you can expand that to a huge 12kWh if needed, giving you the confidence to get through even the longest outages.
Charging is fast and flexible. Thanks to EcoFlowâs X-Stream technology, you can charge from 0 to 80% in just 1 hour via wall power or take advantage of up to 2600W of solar input when paired with EcoFlowâs high-efficiency panels. And with up to 7000W of combined charging options, youâll never be waiting long for a top-up.
Built for Australian conditions, the DELTA Pro 3 uses durable, automotive-grade LFP battery cells and features an IP65-rated battery packâmaking it resistant to water, dust, impacts, and even fire. Itâs tough enough to handle wild weather, yet quiet enough to use inside. Plus, with seamless 10 ms switch-over times, it protects your essential electronics from sudden drops in power.
Stay Informed
Keep an eye on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) during cyclone season. Tune into local news, download emergency apps like QLD Alerts or Service NSW, and sign up for SMS alerts from your local council or state emergency service.
Review Your Insurance
Check your home and contents insurance to make sure youâre covered for storm and flood damage. If youâre unsure about whatâs included, talk to your insurer. Itâs also worth photographing your valuables and keeping receipts where possible to make future claims easier.
Conclusion
Recovering from a cyclone is never easy, but knowing what support is available can make a significant difference. The cyclone relief payments offered by the Australian Government, along with additional assistance from the QLD and NSW governments, are here to help you navigate this challenging time. If youâve been affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, check your eligibility and apply for the assistance youâre entitled promptly. By getting these much-needed helps, you can rebuild, recover, and be more resilient for any future events.
FAQ
Who is eligible for cyclone relief payments?
You may be eligible for a cyclone relief payment if you live in a disaster-declared area and have been directly and severely affectedâsuch as through injury, home damage, income loss, or evacuation. Specific criteria depend on the type of payment (e.g. AGDRP, Disaster Recovery Allowance, or state-based support). Check federal or state government websites for exact eligibility.
Are cyclone relief payments taxable?
Tax implications vary by payment type. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is non-taxable and does not need to be included in your tax return. On the other hand, the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is taxable and should be reported in your tax return.
What is the one-off emergency payment in Australia?
The one-off emergency payment typically refers to the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP). Itâs a lump sum given to people who have been seriously affected by a declared disaster, such as the Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Itâs usually $1,000 per adult and $400 per child, paid once to help with immediate costs like food, shelter, and essential needs.