Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: Amount, Eligibility and How to Claim
- What Is the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment?
- How Much Is the Disaster Recovery Payment?
- Who Can Claim the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment?
- Which Disaster Events Currently Have Government Support Available?
- How to Claim the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment?
- Disaster Recovery Payment Processing Times and Claim Deadlines
- Disaster Recovery Payment vs Disaster Recovery Allowance
- Other Emergency Relief and Disaster Recovery Assistance
- How to Rebuild Your Home After a Disaster?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, tax-free payment for people who have been seriously affected by an eligible major disaster. Eligible adults may receive $1,000, while $400 may be available for each eligible child under 16. The payment is only activated for specified disaster events and affected locations, and claims are generally made through myGov linked to Centrelink. This guide explains who can claim, how much is available, how to apply, what information may be required and how to track a submitted claim.
What Is the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment?
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, or AGDRP, is a one-off, tax-free payment for people seriously affected by a declared natural disaster. It is intended to help with immediate costs after events such as floods, bushfires, storms and cyclones.
The payment is only available when the Australian Government activates it for a specific event and area. Eligible locations, claim dates and evidence requirements vary, and living in an affected area alone does not qualify a person. The personal eligibility rules are explained below.
How Much Is the Disaster Recovery Payment?
If the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment has been activated for your disaster and area, and you meet the eligibility rules, you may receive:
$1,000 for each eligible adult
$400 for each child under 16 in your care
It is a one-off, non-means-tested payment, so income and savings do not affect the amount available. Applicants must still meet the eligibility rules for the relevant disaster event. The payment is not taxable and does not need to be included in an income tax return.
Who Can Claim the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment?
The payment must be active for the relevant disaster and declared area. Eligibility also depends on the residence, age and serious-impact rules set for that event. Living in an affected area alone is not enough.
Eligible Areas, Residence and Age Rules
To qualify, a person generally must:
Have been directly and seriously affected in an eligible declared area
Be an Australian resident or be eligible under another residence rule
Have been aged 16 or older when the disaster occurred, unless under 16 and receiving an eligible Centrelink payment
Eligible areas, residence rules and claim periods differ between disasters. Check the requirements for the relevant event before applying.
What Counts as Being Seriously Affected?
The disaster must have directly caused at least one of the following:
Major damage to the person’s principal place of residence
Major damage to assets owned at that residence
Serious injury
The death or disappearance of an immediate family member who is an Australian citizen or resident
A principal place of residence is the main home where a person normally lives and has the right to stay. Holiday homes, investment properties and temporary stays with family or friends are not included.
A serious injury usually involves hospital admission or an injury that would normally require admission. Major assets can include buildings, vehicles, caravans, water tanks and large machinery located at the principal residence. Check the relevant event rules for the applicable damage and asset requirements.
Claiming for an Eligible Child
There are two ways an eligible child under 16 can receive the payment. A separate claim may be made when the child receives one of the following Centrelink payments:
Carer Allowance
Carer Payment
Double Orphan Pension
Disability Support Pension
Parenting Payment
Special Benefit
Youth Allowance
A carer may instead include the child in a claim when one of these conditions is met:
Legal responsibility for the child’s day-to-day care, welfare and development, with the child dependent on the applicant
Receipt of Parenting Payment, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance for job seekers or Special Benefit as the child’s principal carer
Receipt of Family Tax Benefit with at least 66% care of the child
Where care is shared, only one carer can receive the payment for the same child. Couples who each qualify must lodge separate claims. The same person cannot receive the payment more than once for the same disaster.
Which Disaster Events Currently Have Government Support Available?
Australian Government support may be activated after floods, bushfires, cyclones, severe storms and other declared natural disasters. The payment offered depends on the event, affected area and individual circumstances.
As of July 2026, Services Australia lists support for these recent events:
Information checked on 27 July 2026. Not every event offers the same payment, and closing dates can differ by payment type and affected area. Check the relevant Services Australia event page to confirm whether AGDRP, DRA or another form of support is available before applying.
How to Claim the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment?
The easiest way to apply for the Disaster Recovery Payment is through myGov using a linked Centrelink account. Anyone unable to use the online service can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 for help.
Prepare Your myGov and Centrelink Accounts
Sign in to myGov or the myGov app and open Centrelink. From the homepage, select Make a claim or view claim status, start a new claim, then choose Get started under Help in an emergency. Select Apply for Disaster Recovery Payment to begin.
Information and Evidence You May Need
The form asks about residence status, the relevant disaster, the principal home at the time of the event and how the household was affected. Details of any eligible children included in the claim will also be required. Before starting, have the following information ready:
Current personal, address and contact details
The address of the principal home affected
Details of the damage, injury or family loss
Information about any eligible child included in the claim
Bank details for an account in the applicant’s name or a joint account that includes that name
Services Australia may also ask for proof of identity or further evidence, depending on the disaster and the answers given in the form.
Submit the Claim
Complete each section, then check the summary before confirming the information. Changes can be made during the review stage, but not after Confirm Information has been selected. Once the claim has been submitted, correcting an error may require the claim to be withdrawn and started again, so it is worth checking addresses, children, payment details and the description of the disaster impact carefully.
Track the Claim After Submission
Claim progress can be checked through Payments & claims and My online claims in myGov, or through the Express Plus Centrelink app. Services Australia may call if more information is needed. The outcome is normally sent by SMS, a myGov Inbox message or letter.
Disaster Recovery Payment Processing Times and Claim Deadlines
Processing times and claim deadlines vary by disaster, so check both when lodging or tracking an application.
How Long Does the Disaster Recovery Payment Take?
Services Australia does not set a standard processing time for Disaster Recovery Payment claims. Applications requiring identity checks, supporting documents or further information may take longer. Progress can be checked through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app, and responding promptly to any request for more information may help avoid delays. However, no fixed payment date is guaranteed.
When Is the Claim Deadline?
Claims are usually open for up to six months after an event is declared a major disaster, but the closing date listed on the relevant Services Australia page should be followed. Deadlines may differ between areas affected by the same event, particularly when support is later extended to additional locations. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance may also close on different dates, so check the payment type, eligible area and final claim date before applying.
Disaster Recovery Payment vs Disaster Recovery Allowance
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance address different types of loss. AGDRP is a one-off payment for serious personal, family or property impacts, while DRA provides short-term income support when a disaster directly reduces a person’s earnings.
Comparison | Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment | Disaster Recovery Allowance |
Main purpose | Help after serious injury, family loss or major damage to a principal home or major assets | Replace part of the income lost directly because of a disaster |
Payment type | One-off lump sum | Short-term income support |
Amount | $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 for each eligible child under 16 | Up to the applicable JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance rate, depending on personal circumstances and income |
Payment period | Paid once to the same person for the same disaster | Up to 13 weeks from the date the income loss began |
Income test | Not means tested | Income affects the amount paid |
Tax treatment | Not taxable | Taxable |
Main eligibility trigger | Serious personal, family or property impact | Direct loss of income |
A person may receive both payments when the separate eligibility rules for each are met. Qualifying for one does not automatically qualify someone for the other, and separate claims are required.
Other Emergency Relief and Disaster Recovery Assistance
AGDRP may be only one part of the help available after a disaster. Australian Government support can sometimes be received alongside state or territory assistance, although each program has its own eligibility rules, payment amounts and closing dates.
Depending on the location and circumstances, other assistance may include:
State or territory grants for essential items, temporary accommodation, clean-up or urgent repairs
Local support with food, clothing, housing, transport or counselling
Services Australia social workers, financial guidance and referrals
Grants or loans for eligible small businesses, primary producers and community organisations
Other Centrelink support in limited circumstances, depending on the person’s situation and the rules of each payment
Check the relevant state or territory recovery page for current programs. Services Australia also provides information about other payments and support services that may be available in different circumstances.
How to Rebuild Your Home After a Disaster?
Rebuilding usually starts with safety, damage records and contact with the insurer. Government payments may help with immediate costs, but repairs, temporary accommodation and other recovery needs may require insurance or state and community assistance.
1. Check Safety and Wellbeing First
Do not enter a damaged home until emergency services, the SES or the relevant authority confirms it is safe. Floodwater, unstable structures, fallen power lines and damaged gas or electrical systems may remain hazardous after the immediate event. Recovery can also be emotionally difficult, so seek support if distress continues or begins to affect daily life.
2. Document the Damage
Where it is safe, take photos or videos before cleaning up or moving damaged items. Keep repair quotes, receipts and records of temporary accommodation or essential purchases, as these may support insurance claims, assistance applications and later repair work. Secure digital copies in case the originals are lost.
3. Contact Your Insurer
Contact the insurer as soon as practical and ask what evidence is required before repairs begin. Confirm the excess, assessment process and cover for repairs, replacement items or temporary accommodation. Record any emergency make-safe work, but avoid approving major non-urgent repairs until the claims process is clear.
4. Plan Repairs and Use Available Support
Start with work needed to make the home safe and weatherproof, including structural damage and affected electricity, gas or water services. Use licensed tradespeople where required. State, territory or community programs may also help with accommodation, essential items, clean-up or repairs, so check available assistance before committing to major costs.
5. Prepare for Future Disruptions
Once urgent repairs are under control, review how the household would manage another evacuation or extended outage. Useful preparations include:
Updating evacuation routes and emergency contacts
Keeping food, water, medication and first-aid supplies ready
Storing insurance, identity and property documents securely
Reviewing insurance limits and exclusions
Planning backup power for essential devices
During an outage, communication, lighting, refrigeration and necessary medical equipment generally take priority. Where a CPAP machine is essential, checking how much electricity it uses can help estimate the battery capacity needed overnight.
Households comparing backup options can use the running and starting wattage of essential appliances to estimate the required system size. The same calculation can guide the choice of a generator or portable power station.
For short outages, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station can keep essential household devices running, including refrigeration, lighting and communication equipment. Its portable design also makes it easier to move power where it is needed during clean-up or temporary living arrangements.
For longer outages or homes with heavier backup needs, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station offers a more flexible solution for running several appliances over an extended period. Solar recharging can also provide another option when grid power remains unavailable.
Conclusion
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment can help eligible people meet immediate costs after a serious disaster, but availability, eligible areas and claim deadlines vary by event. Check the relevant Services Australia page, prepare the required information and submit the claim before it closes. Insurance, state or territory assistance and community support may also play a part in recovery. Once urgent repairs are under control, reviewing emergency supplies, important documents and backup power can help the household prepare for future disruptions.
FAQs
What is the $1000 disaster payment Centrelink?
The term “$1,000 Centrelink disaster payment” commonly refers to the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, or AGDRP. It is a one-off, tax-free payment of $1,000 for each eligible adult, with $400 available for each child under 16 in their care. The payment must be activated for the relevant disaster and area, and applicants must meet the eligibility rules for that event.
Is disaster recovery payment taxable?
No. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is not taxable and does not need to be included in an income tax return. It is also not means-tested, so income and savings do not determine the amount paid, although all other eligibility conditions still apply.
How long does disaster recovery payment take to process?
Services Australia does not publish a fixed processing time for every Disaster Recovery Payment claim. Processing may take longer when identity checks, supporting evidence or further information are required. Progress can be checked through myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app, and the outcome may be sent by SMS, myGov Inbox message or letter.