News

The thoughts of all Australians continue to be with those who have lost loved ones and were affected by the storms and floods, which had a devastating impact on local communities on the New South Wales East Coast.

I thank our remarkable rescue crews for their dedication and selflessness during this emergency.

By making these payments available now, the Australian Government will ensure that those who have lost their livelihoods have the additional assistance they need to help them on the road to recovery.

People eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance. This assistance is designed to help those employees, primary producers and sole traders affected by the disaster to get back on their feet.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.

Affected individuals in 41 local government areas across the following eight NSW regions can now apply for this assistance: Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, Orana, South Coast, Southern Inland, and Sydney.

The Commonwealth Government assistance announced on the 28th is over and above the support already being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), which were announced on 7 June.

For more information or to make a claim visit humanservices.gov.au/disaster or a Commonwealth Government Department of Human Services service centre or call 180 22 66.

More information on Commonwealth Government disaster assistance is available at disasterassist.gov.au.

Affected local government areas: