DISASTER assistance payments are now available to people whose home or livelihood has been affected by recent flooding.
There are two payment streams:
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather (from 18 May 2025).
The rate of AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.
Claims for this payment can be lodged with Services Australia for a period up to six months.
AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, whose major assets have been directly damaged or are the immediate family members of an Australian citizen or resident who has died as a direct result of the NSW East Coast Severe Weather (from 18 May 2025).
You have until 25 November 2025 to lodge a claim for the AGDRP in the LGAs of Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Maitland, MidCoast Council, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Port Stephens.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the NSW East Coast Severe Weather (from 18 May 2025).
DRA provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on the person’s circumstances.
DRA is available to Australian residents who are 16 years and older.
DRA is not available to those already receiving another income support payment or pension such as the Age Pension, JobSeeker Payment or Service Pension.
You have until 25 November 2025 to lodge a claim for DRA in the 19 local government areas of Armidale, Bellingen Shire, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port-Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Walcha.
Find out more about eligibility and claiming processes on the Services Australia website.
You can also contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.
