The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment one-off, non-means tested lump sum will be available to eligible constituents via Services Australia.
The payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be available from Wednesday 14th January 2026 and builds on individual assistance already announced by the Albanese and Allan Governments.
Disaster assistance is available under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is available through the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s Personal Hardship Assistance Program.
This payment is for eligible community members who have had their home damaged or destroyed by the fires, or whose home was in an evacuation warning area and have had to evacuate.
Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family, to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.
Constituents can check their eligibility for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance on the Services Australia website at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents before lodging a claim for assistance.
If people need additional support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
Constituents can also receive support on checking eligibility and making a claim at the Recovery Hub that has been opened at the Castlemaine Townhall located at 25 Lyttleton Street.
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters MP:
“Harcourt and the wider Mount Alexander community is in shock, devastated and heartbroken but coming together to start to recover.”
“As residents pick up the pieces from this catastrophic event, the government will look to ways we can assist residents who have been impacted”
“People are doing it really tough at the moment and that’s why we’ve acted quickly to get the Disaster Recovery Payments out the door to people to help them get back on their feet.”
“Affected residents will be able to apply and get further information about the Disaster Assistance Payments at the Castlemaine Recovery Hub that the Mount Alexander Shire Council will be operating from 11am Monday 12th January.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP:
“My heart is with the Harcourt and wider Castlemaine community as this devastating fire continues to impact our region.”
“We will be with this community every step of the way as we commence the recovery journey.”
“I strongly encourage impacted residents to apply for support and stay updated to official advice from VicEmergency.”
