State government support

Support officers can advise on what services are available or connect you to programs. If you need extra support, a recovery support worker can help you over the long term. Call – 1800 560 760.

A payment for people who have been evacuated or whose homes are unliveable due to the bushfires. Apply through the VicEmergency Hotline – 1800 226 226 (press 0 then 1).

A payment if you can't return home because it was damaged or destroyed, you don't have insurance and you can't afford repairs. Apply through the Emergency Recovery Hotline – 1800 560 760 (press 4)

A one-off, non-means tested lump sum payment. It’s available if you’ve had major damage to your home or major assets that you own at your home.

Apply online – servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfires-jan-2026-agdrp

An allowance for up to 13 weeks to help if you have lost income as a direct result of the bushfires. Apply online – servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfires-jan-2026-dra

A payment if your home has been without power for more than 7 days. Apply online – ausnetservices.com.au/outages/emergency-response or call 1300 561 171.

Grants to assist farmers with the cost of clean-up and getting back to business. Apply online – ruralfinance.com.au/grants/

Loans for farmers to be used for restoring and replacing damaged assets, or for working capital expenses. Apply online – ruralfinance.com.au/loans/

Rebates for households who are not connected to the mains water supply to clean and fill water tanks impacted by the fires. More information – www.water.vic.gov.au/grants/recovery-water-tank-rebate

A financial counsellor can help you make a plan to manage your money. They can also talk to creditors on your behalf. Call the:

• National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007 to speak to a financial advisor.
• Mob Strong Debt Helpline for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people – 1800 808 488
• Small Business Debt Helpline – 1800 413 828
• Rural Financial Counselling Service for primary producers – 1300 771 741

A payment if your business has been without power for more than 7 days. More information – energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages

Free, confidential, one-on-one support to business owners to identify needs and develop strategies for long-term recovery. More information – business.vic.gov.au

Free and confidential financial counselling to businesses who are who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship due to the bushfires. More information – business.vic.gov.au

Help with things like demolition and removal of hazardous materials. For people who are uninsured and under-insured. More information – vic.gov.au/clean-support-january-2026-bushfires

Up to 20,000L of drinking water if your household relies on tank water, your tank has been contaminated by fire, ash, debris or firefighting activities, and your property is within an impacted area. Apply online – go.vic.gov.au/4qqT6nm or call DEECA on 136 186.

If essential water is taken from your land to fight fires, you can request for it to be replaced. More information – ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recovery

Find out if you're eligible for the DEECA Recovery Water Tank Cleaning Rebate.

DEECA are providing rebates to households that have experienced contamination and disruption resident's domestic rainwater tanks.

 This program provides targeted financial assistance for rural households not connected to reticulated (town) water by supporting cleaning assistance for roofs, tanks, and gutters where required to enable safe drinking water.

No fees at local waste disposal facilities until 13 May 2026 for rubbish from your property generated by the January bushfires. Show proof of residence, like a driver’s license.

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Eligible property owners may get support to repair fencing if:

• firefighting or disaster response teams brought about the damage, or
• the fence is on the boundary of National Parks, State Parks or State Forests.

Find out if your damage is eligible – contact DEECA on 136 186 or Public land recovery

There are land surveyors who will provide professional advice on surveys and perform title boundary surveys at a discounted rate, only covering costs or less.

Contact – Surveyor-General Victoria on (03) 9194 0282 or email surveyor.general@transport.vic.gov.au for further information. 

To request fodder, contact the Victorian Farmers Federation on 1300 882 833 or vff.org.au/vff-emergencyfodderrequestform

If you need advice for disposing of livestock, contact Agriculture Victoria on 0407 145 007 or visit Agriculture Victoria