Flood Payment NSW: Full Guide to Relief, Eligibility & Application
If you’ve been affected by flooding in New South Wales, like the recent events caused by the Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, you’re not alone—and support is available to help you get back on your feet. Whether you’ve had damage to your home or lost income, it can all feel a bit overwhelming at first.
The good news is, both the Australian and NSW Governments offer financial support after natural disasters, including specific flood payment NSW options. In this guide, we’ll break down what NSW flood payments you might be eligible for, how much you could receive, how to apply, and what other services can help.
Australian Government Flood Relief Payment
If you were affected by the severe weather and flooding caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in New South Wales in March 2025, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government. Two primary flood relief NSW options are available: the AGDRP and the DRA.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The AGDRP is a lump sum payment designed to help individuals and families who have suffered significant losses due to a declared disaster.
Eligible individuals can receive:
$1,000 per adult
$400 for each child under 16
This payment is non-taxable and does not need to be declared in your tax return.
Who is eligible?
You may qualify if you:
Are an Australian resident or meet specific residence requirements.
Were 16 years or older at the time of the disaster.
Live or work in a declared NSW Local Government Area (LGA) affected by the cyclone.
Have experienced one or more of the following:
Serious injury.
Major damage to your primary residence.
Major damage to essential assets.
Loss of an immediate family member.
How to claim flood relief payment NSW:
To apply for the AGDRP:
Ensure you have a myGov account linked to Centrelink.
Log in to myGov.
Select “Apply for Disaster Recovery Payment” and complete the necessary questions.
Select “Apply for Disaster Recovery Payment” and complete the necessary questions.
Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
The DRA provides short-term income support to individuals who have lost income as a direct result of the disaster. It’s paid at the equivalent rate of the JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your circumstances, for up to 13 weeks.
Note that this payment is taxable and must be included in your tax return.
Who is eligible?
You may qualify if you:
Are 16 years or older.
Are an Australian resident or meet specific residence requirements.
Live or work in a declared NSW LGA affected by the cyclone.
Have lost income due to the disaster.
Earn less than the average Australian weekly income ($1,924.60 before tax) in the 13 weeks following the income loss.
How to apply:
To apply for this flood disaster payment NSW:
Ensure you have a myGov account linked to Centrelink.
Log in to myGov.
Select “Apply for Disaster Recovery Allowance” and complete the necessary questions.
You may need to provide evidence of income loss, such as payslips or bank statements.
Claims for the DRA must be submitted by 8 September 2025 for eligible areas in New South Wales
For more detailed information and to check your eligibility, visit the Services Australia NSW Cyclone Recovery page or contact the Australian Government Emergency Information Line at 180 22 66.
NSW Government Flood Relief Payment
On the state level, the NSW Government also offers flood relief payment NSW programs to support your recovery:
Personal Hardship Assistance Grant
This one-off payment aims to help individuals and families cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicine, and emergency accommodation.
You could get:
$180 per eligible individual.
An additional $180 per eligible dependent, up to a maximum of four dependents.
The maximum payment per household is $900.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
Are aged 18 or over.
Reside in one of the 18 declared Local Government Areas affected by the disaster (AGRN 1198).
Were subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning) or experienced power outages of more than 48 hours due to the disaster.
Require emergency financial assistance to meet immediate needs as a result of the disaster.
How to apply:
Applications opened on 12 March 2025 and close on 8 April 2025.
To apply, you needed to:
Create or log in to your MyServiceNSW Account.
Provide proof of identity and residency in the affected area as of 3 March 2025.
Submit the application online or in person at a Service NSW Centre or Recovery Assistance Point. For more information, visit the Service NSW page.
Disaster Relief Grant
If you’re a low-income earner whose home or essential household items were damaged or destroyed by the disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is assessed based on income and assets, similar to the Age Pension test. You must:
Be a low-income earner.
Have no insurance or be unable to claim insurance for the damage.
Have experienced damage to your primary residence or essential household items due to the disaster.
How to apply:
To apply, contact Revenue NSW on 1300 069 550, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. For more information, visit the Service NSW page.
What Other Support Services Are Available After a Flood?
Recovering from a flood involves more than just financial assistance. In New South Wales, a range of support services is available to help you navigate the aftermath of disasters like Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Here’s a breakdown of the key services you can access:
Recovery Centres and Assistance Points
The NSW Government operates Recovery Centres and Assistance Points in affected areas. These centres provide face-to-face support, including help with:
Applying for grants and financial assistance
Accessing mental health services
Replacing lost or damaged personal documents
Legal and insurance advice
Temporary housing options
To find your nearest Recovery Centre, visit the Disaster recovery map.
Legal and Insurance Support
Navigating insurance claims and understanding your legal rights can be challenging after a flood. The NSW Government offers free legal assistance and guidance on insurance matters to help you:
Understand your insurance policy and entitlements
Resolve disputes with insurers
Access legal advice on tenancy and property issues
For more information, visit the Legal and insurance support page.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Services
Experiencing a flood can take a significant toll on your mental health. Support is available through:
Local health services
Community organizations
Specialized programs like Recovery Connect, which offers trauma-informed support and can assist with accessing various services.
If you need immediate mental health support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
Community and Charitable Organizations
Several non-government organizations provide additional support during flood recovery:
St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies): Offers food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance. Call 13 18 12 for help.
Red Cross: Provides emergency relief and recovery services.
Salvation Army: Assists with accommodation, meals, and financial aid.
Disaster Assistance Finder
To identify all the support services you’re eligible for, use the Disaster Assistance Finder. This online tool provides a personalized list of available assistance based on your circumstances.
How to Make My Home More Disaster-Ready?
Preparing your home for future floods—or any natural disaster—might not be the most exciting task, but it can save you a lot of stress, time, and money down the track. Here are some simple, effective steps to get your home disaster-ready:
Know Your Risk
Start by understanding your home’s flood risk.
Check flood maps and hazard zones through your local council or the NSW Government’s HazardsNear Me app.
If you’re in a high-risk area, consider how often flooding has happened in the past and how severe it was.
Make an Emergency Plan
Have a clear plan so everyone in your household knows what to do:
Decide on evacuation routes and safe meeting spots.
Store important contacts (family, neighbours, emergency services) somewhere easy to access.
Practice your plan regularly—especially with kids, older family members, or pets.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Keep a waterproof kit stocked with:
Non-perishable food and bottled water (enough for at least 3 days)
Torch, batteries, power bank for phones
Medications, first aid supplies, and hygiene items
Copies of important documents (ID, insurance, prescriptions)
Pet supplies if needed
Protect Your Property
A few home safety preparation for electrical storms and floods can make a big difference:
Raise power points, switches, and appliances above potential flood levels.
Store valuables and documents in waterproof containers or higher shelves.
Use sandbags or flood barriers around doors and garages if there’s a warning.
Keep gutters and drains clear to help water flow away from your home.
Invest in Home Backup Power
Power outages during floods or storms are common, and they can affect everything from your fridge to your internet—and medical equipment or security systems. To prepare for power outages, there are a few backup power options available:
Traditional petrol or diesel generators
Battery portable power stations
Solar generators (portable power station + solar panels)
While fuel-powered generators can provide emergency power, they’re noisy, emit fumes, and rely on access to fuel—which can be hard to come by during a disaster. In contrast, battery home backup generators offer a cleaner, quieter, and far more flexible solution. They’re safe to use indoors, need no fuel, and can be recharged by the sun—making them perfect for long outages.
If you’re looking for a backup battery that’s built for reliability, safety, and off-grid readiness, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is worth a serious look. It’s designed to deliver 230V at 4000W (surge 8000W), meaning it’s powerful enough to run almost all essential home appliances and can handle multiple appliances at once. With a 4kWh battery capacity (expandable up to 12kWh), you can keep your fridge, lighting, Wi-Fi, and even high-power devices running smoothly during extended blackouts.
What makes it even better for emergencies:
10ms switch-over speed—so your tech stays on without skipping a beat
Super-fast AC charging: Plug into a wall outlet and charge it from 0 to 80% in just 1 hour with EcoFlow’s X-Stream technology
Up to 7000W charging when combining multiple input methods
Built tough: IP65-rated battery pack resists dust, water, and impact
Long lifespan: Automotive-grade LFP cells offer over 11 years of daily use (4000 charge cycles to 80%)
When paired with EcoFlow’s high-efficiency solar panels, the DELTA Pro 3 becomes a true solar generator, providing clean, renewable power without relying on the grid. It’s a future-proof investment that brings peace of mind in every season.
Consider Insurance
Make sure your home and contents insurance includes flood cover. If you’re not sure, check with your insurer and understand exactly what is and isn’t included.
Conclusion
Facing the aftermath of a flood is never easy, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Start by checking what flood payment NSW you’re eligible for and getting your application in ASAP. Both the Australian and NSW Governments offer a range of financial and community assistance to help you recover and rebuild. And once you’re through the initial recovery, think about how you can prepare for the future, whether it’s putting together an emergency kit, raising power points, or investing in home battery backup solutions. A little planning now can save a lot of heartache later.
FAQ
What documents do I need to apply for flood payments?
To apply for flood payments, you’ll typically need:
Proof of identity (like a driver licence, Medicare card, or passport)
Proof of address showing you live in an affected area (a utility bill, rental agreement, or official letter)
Bank account details for payment
In some cases, documents showing damage to your property or loss of income (like photos, insurance reports, or payslips)
Each payment has its own requirements, so check the specific program guidelines when applying.
Can I apply for multiple types of assistance?
Yes, you can. If you’re eligible, you can apply for both the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA), as well as NSW Government support like hardship grants or the Disaster Relief Grant. Just make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for each program—getting one payment doesn’t automatically qualify you for others.
Is NSW flood relief payment taxable?
Most NSW flood relief payments—like the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), Personal Hardship Assistance Grant, and Disaster Relief Grant—are not taxable. They don’t need to be included in your tax return. However, the federal Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is taxable, since it’s treated like income support.