The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 applies from 1 November 2018 in respect of eligible events that have occurred on or after that date.

Under the joint Australian Government-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018, assistance is provided to alleviate the financial burden on states and territories. It also supports the provision of urgent financial assistance to disaster affected communities.

Under these arrangements, the state or territory government determines which areas receive assistance and what assistance is available to individuals and communities.

Where the arrangements have been activated, the Australian Government may fund up to 75 per cent of the assistance available to individuals and communities. This contribution is delivered through a number of assistance measures and may include:

personal hardship and distress assistance, including the engagement of a Community Recovery Officer to work with individuals and families experiencing personal hardship and distress counter disaster operations concessional loans or interest subsidies for small businesses and primary producers

In addition, clean-up and recovery grants may be made available to assist businesses, including farm businesses, to resume trading as soon as possible. The grants may be used for clean-up activities, replacement of damaged equipment and stock, and other general repairs.

Disaster recovery funding assistance is delivered through state and territory agencies (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, Vic and WA).

• transport freight subsidies for primary producers
• loans and grants to voluntary non-profit organisations and needy individuals
• the reconstruction of essential public assets
• community recovery funds.

All eligible events occurring up to and including 31 October 2018 will be governed by the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) Determination 2017.

Through the NDRRA, the Australian Government provides financial assistance directly to the states to assist them with costs associated with certain disaster relief and recovery assistance measures. The NDRRA makes provisions for state governments to activate relief and recovery assistance immediately following a disaster without seeking approval from the Australian Government.

Under these arrangements, the state or territory government determines which areas receive NDRRA assistance and what assistance is available to individuals and communities, making available whatever assistance deemed necessary regardless of whether it is eligible for cost sharing under the NDRRA. This recognises that states are best placed to identify the type and level of assistance to make available following a disaster, in accordance with their responsibility for disaster management.

Where the NDRRA is activated, the Australian Government may fund up to 75 per cent of the assistance available to individuals and communities. This contribution is delivered through a number of NDRRA measures and may include:

personal hardship and distress assistance counter disaster operations concessional loans or interest subsidies for small businesses and primary producers

In addition, clean-up and recovery grants may be made available to assist businesses, including farm businesses, to resume trading as soon as possible. The grants may be used for clean-up activities, repl​acement of damaged equipment and stock, and other general repairs.

NDRRA assistance is delivered through state and territory agencies (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and W​A).

• transport freight subsidies for primary producers
• loans and grants to voluntary non-profit organisations
• the restoration or replacement of essential public assets
• community recovery funds.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child who have been adversely affected by a major disaster either in Australia or overseas.

The AGDRP may be activated when the impact of a disaster on individuals and families requires an additional Australian Government response to support short-term recovery needs.

The Prime Minister or Cabinet may also decide to provide a similar payment to New Zealand Special Category visa holders who have been affected by declared major disasters.

For further information regarding AGDRP and eligibility requirements visit Services Australia.​

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is a short-term income support payment to assist individuals who can demonstrate that their income has been affected as a direct result of a disaster.  

The DRA assists employees, small business persons and farmers who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.

You might be eligible for a maximum of 13 weeks payment from the date you have or will have a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster. The DRA is taxable.

The Prime Minister or Cabinet may also decide to provide a similar payment to New Zealand Special Category visa holders who have been affected by declared major disasters.

For further information regarding DRA and eligibility requirements visit Services Australia.​