Updated 10:12am Wednesday 12th March
If you have been impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, disaster recovery grants and financial assistance is now available for you to apply for.
A range of funding will be available via Federal and State Government, as well as through grants from select organisations in the private sector.
From Tuesday 11th March, Communify staff will be able to assist you to lodge your assistance for Disaster Recovery financial assistance.
In-person support will be available at the following locations:
- New Farm Neighbourhood Centre, 967 Brunswick St New Farm – Open House – Tuesday 11th March and Thursday 13th March 9am-1pm
- North West Community Hub, 180 Jubilee Tce, Bardon – Open House – Wednesday 12th March 10am-1pm and Thursday 13th March 10am-1pm
Otherwise, phone-based support will be available during your local neighbourhood centre’s usual operating hours. Click here for more information.
Alternatively, the Community Recovery Hotline is open 24/7 to help you with financial assistance applications. Call 1800 173 349.
Read on for information about the financial assistance options that may be available to Brisbane-based and SEQ residents impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Federal Govt - Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
Eligible workers and sole traders who have lost income as a direct result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred are able to access the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance.
You have until 8 September 2025 to make a claim for the following Local Government Areas (LGAs):
- Brisbane
- Fraser Coast
- Gold Coast
- Gympie
- Ipswich
- Lockyer Valley
- Logan
- Moreton Bay
- Noosa
- Redland
- Scenic Rim
- Somerset
- Southern Downs
- Sunshine Coast.
You can apply for this short-term payment support through the Services Australia website.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Period of Emergency
The CCS Period of Emergency for ex-Cyclone Alfred is 5 March 2025 to 13 March 2025. The following support is available in affected regions during the CCS period of emergency:
- you can continue to get CCS if your service closes as a direct result of the emergency
- you can waive the gap fee if a child doesn’t attend, or your service is closed, during the CCS period of emergency
- families will get unlimited allowable absences for the duration of the CCS period of emergency.
State Government - Emergency Hardship Assistance
The Emergency Hardship Assistance (EHA) grant assists people who are affected by a disaster to purchase and secure:
- food
- clothing
- medical supplies
- temporary accommodation.
You can apply for up to $180 per person and up to $900 for a family of 5 or more. You do not have to be an Australian Citizen to access this grant.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance
Have you lost power at your home for more than 5 consecutive days due to the natural disaster? If so, then you are eligible to apply for the State Government’s Essential Services Hardship Assistance (ESHA) grant.
You can apply for $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of 5 or more, to assist with your immediate essential needs arising from the loss of essential services during that time period.
Essential services includes electricity, gas, water and sewerage.
Essential Household Contents Grant
The Essential Household Contents Grant (EHCG) helps people who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, and who meet an income test, by providing a contribution towards repairing or replacing essential household contents that have been damaged or lost in a disaster.
Uninsured, low income earners may receive up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples or families to help with repairing or replacing essential household contents, such as beds, linen and whitegoods, that have been damaged or lost in a disaster.
Other disaster recovery financial support
Banks
Several major Australian banks have disaster relief grants available for customers severely impacted by natural disasters:
Telecommunications providers
Click below for a full list of available Disaster Recovery grants and financial assistance pertaining to ex-Cyclone Alfred. Source: The Grants Hub
