Queensland Disaster Relief: What Government Aid Is Available?
Recent events like the heavy rainfall and flooding in Western Queensland and the aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in South East Queensland have left many Queenslanders facing unexpected challenges. If you’re in one of the affected areas, you’re probably wondering what Queensland disaster relief is available to help you through this difficult time.
Thankfully, both the Australian and Queensland Governments offer a range of financial support and recovery services to help you recover. This guide will walk you through the different types of aid you may qualify for, how to apply, and more.
Australian Government Support
If you’ve been affected by severe weather events in Queensland this year—including the Western Queensland floods, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, or the North Queensland monsoon trough—the Australian Government offers two types of disaster relief payments QLD to help you recover:
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The AGDRP is a one-off, non-taxable payment for individuals who have suffered significant losses due to a declared disaster.
Who can get it:
You may be eligible if:
You’re an Australian resident or meet specific residence rules.
You’re 16 or older (or under 16 and receiving an eligible payment).
You’ve been adversely affected in a declared area, meaning:
Your principal place of residence has been severely damaged or destroyed.
You suffered a serious injury.
An immediate family member who is an Australian citizen or resident has died or is missing.
How much you can get:
$1,000 per eligible adult.
$400 per eligible child under 16.
Eligible Disaster Events and Claim Deadlines
Here are the current disaster events where this disaster payment QLD is available:
1.Western Queensland Heavy Rain and Flooding (March 2025)
Claim by: 14 October 2025
Eligible LGAs: Barcoo, Bulloo, Longreach, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton.
2.Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred (March 2025)
Claim by: 18 September 2025
Available in most affected Local Government Areas across South East Queensland.
3.North and Far North Queensland Flooding (January–February 2025)
Claim by: 17 September 2025
Eligible areas: Cassowary Coast, Georgetown in Etheridge, Giru in Burdekin, Groper Creek in Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Paluma in Charters Towers, and Townsville.
How to Claim the AGDRP
There are 3 steps to claim:
1.Get ready to claim: Check the eligibility criteria for your specific event. If you’re unsure or need help, call the Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66. Translation and Indigenous support services are available.
2.Set up your accounts: To claim online, you need a Centrelink account linked to myGov.
If you don’t have a myGov account, create one here.
Then link your Centrelink account by selecting ‘View and link services’ in your myGov dashboard.
3.Make your claim
Log in to myGov
Select ‘Apply for Disaster Recovery Payment’
Answer the eligibility questions and submit your claim.
You’ll receive updates via SMS, myGov inbox, or letter once your claim is submitted and processed. You can track your claim progress in myGov under Payments & Claims, or use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
The DRA provides short-term income support to individuals who have lost income as a direct result of a declared disaster.
Who can get it:
You may be eligible if:
You’re an Australian resident or meet specific residence rules.
You’re 16 or older (or under 16 and receiving an eligible payment).
You’ve been adversely affected in a declared area, meaning:
Your principal place of residence has been severely damaged or destroyed.
You suffered a serious injury.
An immediate family member who is an Australian citizen or resident has died or is missing.
How much you can get:
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive up to 13 weeks of fortnightly income support, at a rate equivalent to:
JobSeeker Payment, or
Youth Allowance, depending on your age and circumstances.
The DRA is a taxable payment, so you’ll need to include it in your tax return for the financial year you receive it.
Key Claim Deadlines by Event
Make sure to lodge your claim by the relevant deadline for your area:
Western Queensland Floods (March 2025): Claim by 3 October 2025
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred (March 2025): Claim by 18 September 2025
North and Far North QLD Floods (Jan–Feb 2025): Claim by 19 August 2025
How to Claim
To claim the DRA, you’ll need a Centrelink online account linked to myGov. Once your account is ready:
Log in to myGov
Select ‘Apply for Disaster Recovery Allowance’
Follow the prompts and submit your application
You might be asked to provide proof of your income loss. This could include:
Pay slips, bank statements, or a letter from your employer.
For farmers or small business owners: profit and loss statements, business bank statements, and tax returns (individual or for a trust/partnership).
If you’re not sure what documents you need or can’t provide them, call 180 22 66 to discuss your situation.For the most up-to-date information and eligibility details, visit the Services Australia Queensland Natural Disaster Support page.
Queensland Government Support
The Queensland Government also offers a range of financial assistance through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme and Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme. Here’s a breakdown of the key Queensland government disaster relief grants available:
1. Emergency Hardship Assistance
If you’re unable to meet your basic needs like food, clothing, medication, or temporary accommodation due to a disaster, this grant can provide immediate support.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in, or are stranded in, an affected area
Are experiencing personal hardship and can’t meet essential needsPayment amount:
Payment amount:
$180 per individual
Up to $900 for families of five or more
2. Essential Services Hardship Assistance
This grant helps with the cost of managing without essential utilities like electricity, gas, water or sewerage, when they’ve been out for over five consecutive days.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in the affected area
Lost one or more essential services for more than five days
Can provide confirmation from your utility provider
Payment amount:
$150 per individual
Up to $750 for families of five or more
3. Essential Household Contents Grant
If your essential household items—like beds, linen, or whitegoods—have been damaged or lost, this grant can help you replace them.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in the affected area
Own or rent the damaged property
Owned the items that were lost
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Meet income requirements
Assessment: A home visit will be conducted, or photographic evidence is needed if items have been disposed of.
Payment amount:
Up to $1,765 for individuals
Up to $5,300 for couples or families
4. Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme (ESSRS)
If your home’s essential services—like electricity, water, gas, or sewage—have been disconnected due to the disaster, this grant can help cover inspection and repair costs to safely reconnect them.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in the affected area
Own and live in the damaged property
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Assessment: A visit to your property will be arranged to assess the damage.
Payment amount:
$200 for safety inspections
Up to $4,200 for repair or replacement of essential services
5. Structural Assistance Grant
This grant helps uninsured, low-income owner-occupiers with the cost of repairs or rebuilding when a home is structurally unsafe due to a disaster.
You may be eligible if you:
Live in the affected area
Own and live in the damaged home
Are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
Meet the income limits
Have a home that’s been deemed structurally unsafe
Assessment: A visit will be arranged to inspect the structural damage.
Payment amount: Up to $80,000 to make the home safe, secure, and habitable
How to Apply
You can apply for any of the above QLD flooding payment or Cyclone disaster relief grants in one of the following ways:
Online via the Community Recovery Portal
By phone by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
In person at a Community Recovery Hub or Support Services location near you
For more detailed Queensland disaster relief and recovery guidelines, visit the Queensland Government Disaster Recovery website.
Other Supports
In addition to financial assistance from the Australian and Queensland Governments, there are several other supports available to help you recover from a natural disaster:
Emotional Support and Wellbeing
If you’re experiencing emotional stress after a disaster, you’re not alone. The Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline offers free, confidential support from trained disaster counsellors. Whether you just need someone to talk to or you’re finding it hard to manage day-to-day, you can call: 1800 116 671.
Community Recovery Hotline
For broader support services—including emergency relief, counselling, and referrals to community groups—call the Community Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349
Housing Assistance
If you’ve been displaced from your home or are facing housing hardship due to a disaster, help is available. Temporary housing support may be offered through government services. For more information, call: 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Transport and Motoring Assistance
Disaster-affected residents may be eligible for help with vehicle registration, driver licensing, and other transport and motoring services. This support can reduce some of the financial pressure if your vehicle or licence has been impacted. Apply for assistance here.
How Can You Prepare for a Natural Disaster in QLD?
Needless to say, living in Queensland means being ready for natural disasters is a must. With a bit of planning, you can reduce the impact of bushfires, cyclones, and floods on your home and family. Here’s how you can get prepared:
Know Your Risks
Different regions across Queensland face different threats. Find out which natural hazards are most common in your area—like flooding in Far North QLD or cyclones along the coast—and stay informed through your local council’s disaster dashboard or the Queensland Government’s emergency services site.
Create an Emergency Plan
A solid emergency plan ensures everyone in your household knows what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Your plan should include:
Safe evacuation routes
Emergency contact numbers
Meeting points in case you get separated
A checklist of essentials to take with you
Make sure to talk it through with everyone in your household and practice it regularly.
Pack an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit is essential—having one ready to go could save valuable time in a crisis. Your kit should include:
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Medications and a first aid kit
Important documents (ID, insurance papers, medical records)
Torch, radio, spare batteries, phone charger, power banks
Face masks, hand sanitiser, and other hygiene items
Pet supplies (if needed)
Keep your kit in a waterproof container, and store it somewhere easy to grab.
Prepare Your Home
Carry out home safety preparation for electrical storms and floods now can protect your property later. Here’s what to do:
Clean gutters and drains to reduce flood risk
Secure loose outdoor items ahead of strong winds
Trim overhanging branches and trees
Check your insurance coverage and keep a copy of your policy handy
Keep sandbags on hand if you’re in a flood-prone area
Stay Connected and Informed
Reliable, up-to-date information is critical during an emergency. Make sure you:
Download the SES Assistance QLD app or tune into your local radio station
Follow trusted sources like Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) on social media
Sign up for Early Warning Network alerts in your region
Invest in Home Backup Power
Power outages are a common side effect of natural disasters in Queensland, especially during storms and floods. When the lights go out, having a reliable home backup generator can make a huge difference—keeping your essentials running, your phones charged, and your food from spoiling.
There are a few options for home backup power:
Traditional petrol or diesel generators
Battery portable power stations
Solar generators (solar panels + portable power stations)
While fuel-based generators have long been the go-to, they come with some significant downsides—noise, fumes, fuel storage issues, and maintenance costs. Portable power stations and solar generators, on the other hand, are cleaner, safer, quieter, and more reliable in the long run. They’re especially handy for urban homes and families with kids or pets.
One highly recommended solution is the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station, which starts with a robust 1024Wh capacity, giving you enough energy to run key household appliances for a few hours. You can expand it up to 2048Wh with the DELTA 2 Extra Battery, or 3040Wh using the DELTA Max Extra Battery—ideal for extended outages or powering multiple devices.
And speaking of power: with a 1800W output, DELTA 2 can handle over 90% of your home appliances—fridges, microwaves, kettles, and the TV. Its X-Boost technology means it can prevent overloading from devices up to 2400W. You can even run up to 13 devices at once, making it a family-friendly solution during emergencies.
Charging is lightning-fast, too. Plug it into a standard wall socket and go from 0 to 100% in just 80 minutes. Ready to go solar? Pair it with EcoFlow’s high-efficiency solar panels (available in 110W, 160W, 220W, and 400W options) and you can recharge in as little as 2.3 hours.
Built to last, DELTA 2 uses durable LiFePO4 battery chemistry, giving you over 3000 full charge cycles before reaching 80% capacity. That’s years of regular use—great for homes that want reliable, sustainable backup.
Conclusion
If you’re affected by the recent floods, Cyclone Alfred, or the North Queensland monsoon trough, remember that you don’t have to navigate this alone. A range of Australia Government and Queensland disaster relief programs are ready to help you get back on your feet. It’s important to stay informed about the latest relief efforts and apply for assistance as soon as you can. To get ready for future events, take actions to create a plan, pack an emergency kit, or invest in home battery backup solutions today, and future you will thank you.
FAQs
What grants are available in QLD for individuals?
Queenslanders affected by natural disasters may be eligible for several government grants. These include Emergency Hardship Assistance for essential needs, Essential Services Hardship Assistance for utility disruptions, Essential Household Contents Grants to replace lost items, Structural Assistance Grants for uninsured home repairs, and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme to restore utilities like power and water.
What is the hardship grant in QLD?
The QLD Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant helps individuals and families who can’t meet their immediate essential needs, like food, medication, clothing, and temporary shelter, due to a disaster. It provides $180 per person or up to $900 for a family of five or more and is available to those living in disaster-declared areas.
How do I get food vouchers in QLD?
If you’re experiencing hardship, you can request food vouchers by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or visiting a Community Recovery Hub. Local emergency relief providers like The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, and Red Cross may also provide food assistance during crises.