The current Australian bushfire crisis is having a devastating impact on individuals, communities, businesses and the environment. With our own colleagues personally affected by this tragedy, The Grants Hub team are committed to providing the latest information around financial assistance and bushfire grants available.
Please note, exact details of assistance packages available are constantly evolving and changing so we encourage you to reach out to funding providers directly for full support details.
We will continue to update this page in the coming days and weeks as more bushfire assistance and grants information becomes available.
If you’re a Funding Provider with a bushfire related grant or financial assistance opportunity, please contact us to be added to this list.
If you have been affected by the bushfires in your area, contact us for a special discount off our membership plans.
National
Red Cross
Emergency grants
People who have lost homes in the 2019/2020 bushfire season can apply to Australian Red Cross for an emergency grant of $20,000. Red Cross has increased the emergency grant amount from $10,000 to $20,000 per household. If you have received a previous payment there is no need to re-apply, the Red Cross will contact you directly. Emergency grants are available across Australia to people whose primary place of residence has been destroyed or made uninhabitable by the fires since July 2019.
Injury grants
A $7,500 payment for people who were hospitalised for two (2) or more days as the direct result of physical injuries or mental health issues caused by the fires and are experiencing financial hardship as a result. Hospital admission needs to have occurred within two weeks of the bushfire starting.
Primary residence repair grant
A $5,000 payment for home owners whose homes have been structurally damaged and require repair to make them safe to live in. Home owners whose primary place of residence has not been destroyed but needs structural repairs (i.e. walls, ceilings, windows) to make it safe to return home. This grant is only available to those who are experiencing financial hardship.
https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/emergencies/recovering-from-emergencies/grants
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers a range of services and assistance measures to help people who have been impacted by bushfires including:
Financial assistance
Emotional wellbeing and support services
Information, referrals and advice.
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/disasters-other-appeals/bushfires-latest
Bushfire Recovery Access Program - Up to 10 Mental Health Treatment Services
From 17 January, you will be able to get Medicare benefits for up to 10 mental health treatment services if:
You or your family have been impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires
You’re a first responder or emergency management employee or volunteer who worked during the 2019-20 bushfires.
You don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health condition, GP referral or mental health treatment plan.
If you were affected by the bushfires, you can also get up to 10 free counselling sessions. The sessions can support you through the immediate trauma and crisis, through:
Advice on distress interventions
Coping strategies
Social supports
Counselling
Family based psychological interventions.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/bushfire-recovery-access-program
OAKS Bushfire Support
As a way to provide essential support to those affected by bushfires which continue to threaten civilians and their homes across Australia, Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites has announced that selected properties nationwide will offer complimentary rooms for up to seven days for those who have lost their homes.
The offer is redeemable from now until the end of June 2020.
https://www.oakshotels.com/en/bushfire-support-offer-questions-and-answers
CommBank Bushfire Recovery Grant
Up to $50,000 grants available to assist the longer term recovery of organisations directly affected by the bushfires.
To be eligible to apply for a CommBank Bushfire Recovery Grant, each organisation must:
Be a community organisation, fire service, school, sporting club or non-government organisation in a bushfire affected area, not an individual
Need to replace or repair facilities or property which was lost or damaged by bushfire during the 2019-20 bushfire season and is not likely to be covered by insurance
Be able to identify how repair or replacement of the facilities or property will benefit the community.
Applications close 31 March 2020.
https://www.commbank.com.au/latest/bushfire-appeal.html
Bushfire Relief Fund - NEW
Netball and community organisations across Australia directly affected by the 2019-20 bushfire disaster events may be eligible to receive bushfire recovery grants from the Confident Girls Foundation Bushfire Recovery Fund.
This fund will go towards supporting those netball associations, clubs, teams and individuals who have been affected by the bushfires. This could mean directing funds towards infrastructure, purchasing equipment, covering the cost of registrations and fees, holding clinics and special community events, supplying uniforms, and much more.
There are two tiers of grants available, providing small grants up to $1,500 and larger grants up to $10,000. Applications close 3 April 2020.
https://confidentgirlsfoundation.com.au
Bushfire Assistance Grant - NEW
The St.George Foundation, Bank of Melbourne Foundation, and Bank SA Foundation are committed to extending support to communities who have experienced devastating losses as a result of Australia’s 2019-2020 bushfire emergency. Bushfire Assistance Grants are now available to support eligible charities and local community organisations with projects that will aid in long-term recovery efforts for bushfire-affected communities that focus on assisting children and young people.
To assist with the recovery of communities, all three entities are providing a pool of funding totalling $500,000 to eligible organisations in Australia, to invest in projects that aid in long-term recovery efforts for bushfire-affected community organisations.
It is recommended that applicants apply for $20,000 to $50,000 per project, however all eligible funding requests will be considered.
You must be endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient to apply.
Applications will be open until either:
The total funding pool is awarded, or
31 December 2020 (whichever occurs first).
https://www.stgeorgefoundation.com.au/apply/bushfire-assistance-grant-guidelines
http://info.bankofmelbourne.com.au/foundation
http://promos.banksa.com.au/staff-charitable-fund/apply.html
Spend With Them by Turia Pitt & Grace McBride
Helping rebuild towns and businesses affected by fire through an Instagram #spendwiththem campaign.
Heads up! Businesses are reporting an incredible increase in sales after being featured on this page. Some have recouped their entire Christmas losses within 24 hours of being featured.
This is not a grant, however is a great opportunity for businesses to get back on their feet.
https://www.instagram.com/spendwiththem
Reece Bushfire Rebuild Projects Grant
As well as the immediate dangers, there will be a long-term impact to each affected community who will be looking to rebuild what has been lost in the fires.
If you, or a tradesperson you know is involved in a project to help rebuild in a community that has been affected by the Australian bushfires, apply for this grant now.
https://www.reecegrant.com.au/bushfires
Tradies For Fire Affected Communities (TFFAC)
TFFAC was born as a place for tradies of all disciplines around the country, to put their hand up and donate their time and skills to those affected by these devastating bushfires.
https://tradiesforfireaffectedcommunities.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2524572697856866
Monash University Bushfire Crisis Student Grant
If you have been impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires, grants of up to $2,000 are available to support you in your studies at Monash.
Money provided through a grant can be used for essential living expenses, laptops (to meet BYOD requirements), course materials or other unexpected expenses.
This money does not have to be paid back as long as you continue your studies in semester one, 2020.
https://www.monash.edu/financial-assistance/support/student-grants/bushfire-relief
Australian National University Bushfire Support Bursary
ANU have made additional funding available to students who have been directly affected by the bushfires this summer. They will provide up to $2,000 to help affected students with upfront expenses, including accommodation, laptops, study materials, personal essentials and travel to and from home.
If you are affected and live on campus or have applied to live on campus, they may also be able to help you with an early move-in.
For advice on the, please call 135 268 or email student@anu.edu.au with the subject "Bushfire Support Bursary".
https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/support-for-students-affected-by-the-bushfires
2020 Bushfire Emergency Response Grant to Assist Indigenous Australians
The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) has established an emergency response grant for any Indigenous corporation whose property has been directly affected by the recent bushfires. A grant of up to $20,000 will be available to assist Indigenous corporations to immediately secure and clean up damaged properties.
The ILSC will also make available a grant to assist Indigenous land management groups and contractors assisting the vital recovery efforts with much needed equipment.
Indigenous Business Australia Bushfire Crisis Fund
To assist IBA business finance and home loan customers directly impacted by the current bushfires through the loss of property or compulsory evacuation, IBA has established a Bushfire Crisis Fund that will provide the following support:
Temporary suspension of loan repayments
Access to a $2,000 bushfire crisis grant to cover immediate needs
Assistance with making insurance claims.
Further assistance for business customers to be assessed on an individual basis.
https://www.iba.gov.au/bushfire-crisis-support
Disaster Recovery Allowance
Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short term payment to help you if a declared disaster directly affects your income. You can get it for a maximum of 13 weeks.
Disaster Recovery Allowance is a taxable payment.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency/bushfires
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off payment to help you if a declared disaster significantly affects you. It’s not for minor damage or inconvenience.
You can choose to get this payment in 2 instalments if you prefer.
If you’re eligible you will get:
$1,000 per adult
$400 for each child under 16 years of age.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency/bushfires
Australian Tax Office Support
If you have been impacted by these bushfires, the ATO doesn't want you to be concerned about your tax affairs. Now is the time for you, your family and community. They will help you sort out your tax affairs later.
For identified impacted postcodes, the ATO will automatically grant deferrals for lodgements and payments due. You, or your agent, don't need to apply for these deferrals.
Taxpayers in impacted postcodes will now have until May 28, 2020 to lodge and pay business activity statements and income tax returns.
Businesses that pay their Pay-As-You-Go Instalments quarterly are also allowed to vary these instalments to zero for the December 2019 quarter and claim a refund for any instalments made in the September 2019 quarter.
Ex-Gratia Disaster Recovery Allowance
Support for New Zealanders who can show they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.
Ex-gratia Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short term payment to help you if a declared disaster directly affects your income.
You can get it for a maximum of 13 weeks. Ex-gratia Disaster Recovery Allowance is a taxable payment.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency/bushfires
Ex-Gratia Disaster Recovery Payment
Support for eligible New Zealanders adversely affected by the bushfires.
The ex-gratia Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off payment to help you if a declared disaster significantly affects you. It’s not for minor damage or inconvenience.
You can choose to get this payment in 2 instalments if you prefer.
If you’re eligible you will get:
$1,000 per adult
$1,000 per partner or dependent adult
$400 for each child under 16 years of age.
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency/bushfires
The 2020 Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP): Bushfire Renewal Round
This grant aims to support the building, rebuilding and promotion of the creative industries in bushfire-affected areas of Australia. Grant applications for a maximum of $60,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Co-contributions from you and other parties strengthen your application.
You can use the grant to pay for costs detailed in your budget and grant agreement, including:
Economy flights, modest accommodation costs, meals and travel allowances, other transport
Communication and translation
Venue hire and catering
Advertising and promotion, graphic design, photography and printed material
Production costs, including freight and artists’ wages.
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants
The Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program will have two funding streams which, together, will support events, concerts, festivals and visitor attractions in fire affected regions to assist with recovery efforts and encourage international and domestic visitors to come back to the regions. Local Government Authorities and Regional Tourism Organisations in Local Government Areas are eligible to apply. Applications open on 17 February 2020 and close on 20 November 2020.
Budget Direct Bushfire Recovery Fund
The grants of up to $20,000 are intended to help these groups repair or replace damaged or destroyed facilities and/or equipment that aren’t covered by insurance.
To be eligible to apply for a Budget Direct Bushfire Recovery Fund grant each community group organisation must:
Be a community organisation such as volunteer fire services, schools, sporting clubs, non-government organisations, not for profit childcare centre.
Each organisation must have facilities and/or equipment that were lost or damaged in the bushfire during the 2019-20 bushfire season and are most likely not covered by insurance. We will not fund: individual bodies or activities that don’t reflect our core values.
Applications are now open and close 31st March 2020.
https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/landingpages/bushfire-recovery-fund.html
RSL Foundation Bushfire Relief Grant
Veterans impacted by the recent catastrophic bushfires may be eligible for relief funding of up to $10,000 from the RSL Foundation to go towards rebuilding or replacing their possessions. Eligible circumstances:
Damage or loss as a result of the 2019/20 bushfire season;
Loss must be provable and quantifiable; and
Loss must relate to your principal place of residence
Applications will close on 31st March 2020.
https://rslqld.org/rsl-bushfire-relief
Local Council Support
Many local councils are offering their own range of support, such as waiving development application fees and rates deferment. Reach out to your local council to find out the support options they are offering.
New South Wales & ACT
Murrumbidgee Bushfire Recovery Community Grants - NEW
This funding is for grassroots community-focused health and wellbeing initiatives. Activities may target a broad geographical community impacted by bushfires and/or specific population segments, including (but not limited to) children, youth, older people or cultural groups.
Individuals, organisations and community groups based within bushfire-affected areas in the Murrumbidgee PHN region are eligible to apply. Bushfire affected communities located in the following declared natural disaster areas are eligible to apply:
Snowy Valleys LGA
Greater Hume Shire LGA
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional LGA
Grants of up to $10,000 are on offer. Applications close 13 April 2020.
https://mphn.org.au/bushfire-recovery-grants
Wildlife Heroes Bushfire Emergency Fund
Up to $100,000 is available to support bushfire related emergency activities over the 2019-20 financial year.
The program aims to achieve the following outputs:
Increase number of wildlife emergency responders in NSW
Decrease cost of emergency response to individual carers
Increase number of wildlife that can be rescued and cared for during an emergency
Enable wildlife groups to buy appropriate equipment and PPE for emergency response.
Eligible items the grant can pay for:
Fuel vouchers for volunteers working on emergency operations
Cages, tents, tables and other equipment
Animal food and formula
Feeding bottles, teats, syringes, needles, wipes
Wraps and pouches
Rehydration fluid and other first aid medication
First aid kit materials
PPE and safety equipment for volunteers including hats, sunscreen, fluoro vests, torches
Water and food for volunteer refreshments
Hiring fees for local hall or room to be used as a wildlife emergency operation centre.
The maximum grant available is $10,000 for groups and $1,000 for independent licence holders. It is expected that the average grant will be in the order of $2,500.
Opens 15 January 2020. Closes 31 March 2020.
https://www.fnpw.org.au/Grants/wildlife-heroes-grants
Volunteer Firefighters' Financial Support Program
Payments for eligible volunteer firefighters who are self-employed or employed by a small or medium business and have lost income.
Payments of up to $300 per day, with a total cap of $6,000, will be available in the 2019-2020 financial year. The payments are tax-free and not means-tested.
Disaster Relief Grants
Available for eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household contents have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.
To be eligible for this grant you must:
Be a low-income earner and meet an income assets test
Demonstrate that the affected home is your principal place of residence
Not be covered by insurance
Demonstrate that the damage was caused by the disaster
Lodge the application within four months of the disaster occurring.
Charles Sturt Bushfire Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are facing an unforeseen and life-altering situation or hardship due to bushfires, through no fault of their own, which could prevent them from commencing and/or completing their study at Charles Sturt University. It is designed to meet a short-term financial need.
University of Sydney Disaster Relief Bursary
If you are a University of Sydney student who has been directly affected by the recent bushfires and require financial support, you may be eligible for a one-off payment of up to $1000.
You will need to provide the following:
Proof of address in an area identified as affected by a natural disaster.
Proof of your current financial situation (for example, a bank statement).
An outline of how the natural disaster has had a significant impact on you and your household.
Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy Through the New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority, a natural disaster assistance transport subsidy is available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event. This subsidy pays for the cost of transporting:
Fodder and/or water to an affected property.
Stock to sale or slaughter.
Stock to/from agistment.
https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/natural-disaster-transport-subsidy
Special Disaster Grant - Bushfires NSW
The Special Disaster Grant provides bushfire-affected primary producers in eligible local government areas with funding up to $75,000 to help with clean-up and immediate restoration costs. Farmers, fishers, private foresters and beekeepers affected by the recent bushfires in New South Wales can apply for funding to go towards clean-up and restoration work.
The grant can go towards:
Equipment and materials used in clean-ups
Additional labour costs
Disposing of damaged goods and injured or dead livestock
Repairs to buildings (other than housing)
Fencing repairs
Replacing or repairing essential equipment
Salvaging crops
Treating livestock, poultry and aquaculture species
Buying fodder, grain and feeds for livestock and poultry
Purchasing or hiring equipment used to immediately resume business
Replacing essential water used for firefighting
Water cartage
Safety inspections
Closing 31 Jul 2020.
https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires
Bushfire Relief Fund Request
An online version of the Bushfire Relief Fund Request form that pastors can use to request funds for their bushfire affected churches and communities. The funds collected for the bushfire response appeal will be used to support bushfire families in hardship with personal and family living needs.
Some examples include:
Vouchers for purchasing groceries and personal care expenses (e.g. clothing etc)
Vouchers for purchasing fuel
Payment of medical expenses or mental health expenses (e.g. counselling) which are not able to be covered by Medicare or private health cover.
Funds are not to be distributed as cash. Funds will be disbursed through local Baptist churches who will be able to identify local people who are in need because of the bushfire.
https://nswactbaptists.org.au/bushfire-relief-and-recovery/bushfire-relief-application-of-funds/
Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grants
If you're a small business or non-profit organisation, and you've suffered direct damage to your premises or equipment as a result of the NSW 2019–2020 bushfire event (beginning in August 2019), you may be eligible for a bushfire recovery grant.
The bushfire recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for costs associated with the clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or non-profit organisation’s operations.
The costs could include, but are not limited to:
Payment for tradespeople to conduct safety inspections
Equipment and materials required for cleaning up
The removal and disposal of damaged goods and materials
Repairing premises and internal fittings
Hiring equipment and/or replacing stock needed to resume operations.
Bushfire Recovery Grants - Supporting Communities in Recovery COORDINARE - the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, is inviting local organisations in bushfire affected communities to apply for funding for community activities that aim to strengthen social connectedness, emotional wellbeing and assist communities to recover and heal from the recent bushfires.
Organisations and community groups based in the following areas are eligible to apply:
Bega Valley
Eurobodalla
Goulburn-Mulwaree
Queanbeyan-Palerang
Shoalhaven
Snowy-Monaro
Upper Lachlan Shire Grants of up to $10,000 are available under the new Commonwealth funded Supporting Communities in Recovery program to fund grassroots community-focused health and wellbeing initiatives. Funding is open until funds are exhausted.
https://communityconnect.coordinare.org.au/bushfire-recovery-grants
Country Show Sponsorship Packages
Ongoing drought and bushfire conditions are making it hard for many towns and communities to run country shows. This funding of up to $5,000 will help these critical, morale-boosting events to go ahead.
Examples of eligible activities include:
Reduced stall fees for locally-based community organisations and local businesses
Locally-incurred expenses such as hiring equipment and other services
Marketing and promotion material for the show, if spent locally
Contributions to awards and prizes for competitions
Costs to support show exhibits and events
Eligible applicants are show organising committees.
Micro Event Fund
This is a new stream The Regional Event Fund supports the delivery of smaller community-based events with limited expenditure budgets in regional NSW areas impacted by drought or the recent bushfire activity.
‘Micro Events’ are defined as community-based events including but not limited to country shows, town festivals including parades, and cultural festivals whose total expenditure budget is approximately $75,000 (excl. GST) or less. The Micro Event Fund offers one-off grants of $10,000 (excl. GST).
Applications close on 25 March 2020.
Victoria
Emergency Relief Assistance Payments & Emergency Re-establishment Payments
Emergency financial assistance is available to eligible fire-affected community members in Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Indigo, Mansfield, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, South Gippsland, Southern Grampians, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga council areas.
Relief payments are intended to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, accommodation, clothing, medication and personal items.
Payments of up to $560 per adult and $280 per child (up to a maximum of $1960 per eligible household).
The payments are designed to help eligible people experiencing personal and extreme financial hardship due to the fires.
http://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief-and-recovery/934
FRRR's Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund
The first distributions will commence from July 2020.
Funds will be granted to communities to support disaster preparedness and disaster recovery.
https://www.frrr.org.au/cb_pages/disaster_resilience_and_recovery_fund.php
FRRR's Strengthening Rural Communities
For those communities that identify their needs sooner than the Disaster Resilience and Recovery Funds are ready (see above), FRRR will provide support through its Strengthening Rural Communities program.
This can fund a wide range of needs, including enhancing a local emergency shelter, or implementing a UHF radio system so that people can stay in touch during the next emergency. For others, it will be for support to relieve volunteer fatigue. In other places, the most significant need might be for mental health support.
Larger Leverage Stream: Closes 4 February 2020
Small & Vital Stream: Closes 24 March 2020
https://www.frrr.org.au/grants/Strengthening_Rural_Communities
Case Support Program For Fire Affected Communities
The Victorian Bushfires Case Support Program will immediately be available for people in fire affected areas in Gippsland and North East Victoria.
Support coordinators will be a single point of contact for those who need it, working with local residents to link them directly with vital support – such as information and advice, mental health support or financial counselling. They will also help with practical things like filling out paperwork, accessing grants and financial claims, and navigating all the services available through the local council, state and commonwealth governments.
Culturally appropriate services will also be offered by local Aboriginal community Controlled Agencies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians needing support.
http://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/#bushfire_case_support_program.
VicRoads - Bushfire Relief Assistance
If you’ve been affected by the bushfires in one of the declared State of Disaster areas, VicRoads will provide assistance to help with your registration and licensing services.
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/renew-replace-or-update/bushfire-relief-assistance
Victorian Government Bushfire Response - Wildlife Shelters and Carers
Licensed wildlife shelters and foster carers who are receiving animals as a result of current bushfires are eligible to apply for a Victorian Government grant of up to $1,000 by completing a simple online application form. The entire process has been streamlined to speed payments and minimise administration burden.
These grants are for the most immediate and basic supplies and services to support your wildlife emergency response. Feed, consumables and veterinary consultations are eligible items.
Closes 30 April 2020.
https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/home/bushfire-response-wildlife-shelters-and-carers
Transport Support Program: Primary Producers
Transport subsidies of up to $15,000 are now available to eligible primary producers directly impacted by the December 2019 – January 2020 Victorian Bushfires.
The support is available to bushfire affected primary producers in the local government areas of Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Indigo, Mansfield, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga.
Eligible primary producers (including apiarists) can claim the subsidy for eligible transport costs that directly address immediate animal welfare and safety needs, including:
Transporting of emergency fodder for stock to fire-affected properties
Transporting of stock to agistment (including returning stock), sale or slaughter
Transporting of stock drinking water.
Applicants can apply for a combination of transport activities undertaken before 30 June 2020. The program will cover up to 50 per cent of total costs, to a maximum of $15,000 (excluding GST) per farm business. Applications together with supporting documentation must be submitted by 31 July 2020.
Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grants
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible Victorian small businesses and non-profit organisations impacted by the Victorian bushfires that started on 21 November 2019.
Businesses and organisations that have suffered direct damage as a result of the fires can access up to $50,000 in grant funding, tax-free.
Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grants are intended for small business owners to help pay for costs of clean-up and reinstatement of their businesses. Applications are open until 31 July 2020.
Victorian Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries
Grants of up to $75,000 are now available to eligible primary producers directly impacted by the Victorian Bushfires commencing 21 November 2019.
The support is available to bushfire affected primary producers in the local government areas of Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Indigo, Mansfield, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga.
Grants may be used to cover the costs associated with clean up and reinstatement of the entity, as detailed in the attached guidelines.
Compensation for lost income or amounts claimed under other programs or through insurance cover are not eligible for grant assistance.
Applications together with supporting documentation must be submitted by 31 July 2020.
Bushfire Recovery Round
The Victorian Government has announced a Bushfire Recovery Round of Regional Events Fund to help kickstart the recovery of regions affected by the summer’s devastating bushfires.
The Bushfire Recovery Round is open until 27 March 2020. The maximum amount of funding available to events is $20,000.
Events must take place within the following local government areas: Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga and the Alpine Resorts of Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Stirling and Falls Creek.
https://corporate.visitvictoria.com/events/regional-events/bushfire-recovery
VACCA Victorian Bushfire Appeal Relief Payments
The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is a state-wide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) servicing children, young people, families, and community members. VACCA can now provide you with a one-off payment from The Victorian Bushfire Appeal if your household has been affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires in North East Victoria.
Payment criteria is based on severity of impact with up to $4,500 in assistance available depending on impact rating.
Small Business Bushfire Support Grant - NEW The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have announced Small Business Bushfire Support Grants of up to $10,000 to support small businesses who have experienced a significant loss of income due to the Victorian bushfires that commenced 21 November 2019.
These grants are available to small businesses in the local council areas of Alpine, East Gippsland and Towong.
Grant assistance is also available to small businesses who work within the eligible disaster areas on a regular basis, provided they can demonstrate significant impact.
Closing: 30 September 2020
South Australia
Re-establishment Grants
Eligible South Australians who are uninsured and have had their principal residence damaged by bushfires can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help them re-establish their homes.
Financial Assistance from the SA Bushfire Appeal
If you have been directly affected by the fires in Cudlee Creek or on Kangaroo Island, you may be able to receive financial assistance from the SA Bushfire Appeal.
Personal Hardship Emergency Grants
South Australians directly affected by the Kangaroo Island fires can apply for one-off emergency grants to assist with immediate, temporary relief. The Personal Hardship Emergency Grants of up to $700 per family (or $280 per individual adult) can be used at the discretion of each recipient but are intended to pay for essential items such as food, toiletries, clothing and medication. This assistance is provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Recovery Grants for Small Business
A grant of up to $10,000 is available for eligible small businesses affected by the Kangaroo Island bushfires for costs associated with clean-up, restoration and rebuilding.
Recovery Grants for Primary Producers
A grant of $15,000 is available for eligible primary producers affected by the Kangaroo Island bushfires.
Kangaroo Island: https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disaster-recovery/kangaroo-island-fire-december-2019
Cuddle Creek: https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disaster-recovery/cudleecreek
Keilira Region: https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disaster-recovery/keilira-fire-recovery
Yorketown: https://dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disaster-recovery/yorketown
Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grant
The South Australian Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to offer financial assistance under Disaster Recovery Arrangements to those impacted by bushfires in South Australia.
Financial assistance of up to $50,000 is available to impacted small businesses for costs associated with clean-up, restoration and rebuilding. Available funding includes:
An initial amount of up to $25,000 to support an initial claim, with evidence of the direct damage such as photographs, quotations, tax invoices or official receipts required.
A subsequent amount of up to $25,000 to support subsequent claims, with full evidence of payment required. (This evidence must also include any amounts claimed under the initial claim if not already provided).
https://business.sa.gov.au/South-Australian-bushfire-recovery/Small-Business-Bushfire-Recovery-Grant
Bushfire Recovery Grants
Bushfire affected primary producers in the local government areas of Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Murray Bridge, Mount Barker, Mid Murray, Yorke Peninsula and Kingston may apply for the Bushfire Recovery Grant.
Eligible recipients may access a grant of up to $75,000 to assist with the costs of recovery and getting back to business. Assistance is being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Applications must be submitted along with supporting documentation by 31 July 2020.
https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/grants_and_assistance/financial_support_after_a_bushfire
Queensland
Emergency Hardship Assistance
The Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant is available as a contribution to support people directly impacted by a disaster to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.
Emergency hardship assistance is not income tested. If deemed eligible, applicants may receive $180 per person up to $900 for a family of 5 or more. The grant is initially available to claim for 7 days following the activation of the grant in your area.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance Grant
This grant supports people directly impacted by a disaster to meet their immediate needs where they have experienced loss of one or more essential services for more than 5 days.
The Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant is not income or asset tested. Subject to the criteria above, applicants may receive $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of 5 or more. The grant is initially available to claim for 7 days following the activation of the grant in your area.
Essential Household Contents Grant
If you are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for financial assistance to provide a contribution towards replacing or repairing essential household contents, such as beds, linen and whitegoods, that have been lost or damaged in a disaster.
Grants of up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families are available.
Structural Assistance Grant
If you’re uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for a one-off payment as a contribution towards repairs to your home to make it secure and safe.
Grants of up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families are available.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant
If you’re uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for a grant to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster.
There are 2 parts to the grant:
Inspection: Up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection (electricity, gas, water and sewerage or septic system)
Repair: Up to $4200 towards repair work to enable essential services to be reconnected (for example, electrical rewiring).
Volunteer Firefighters Compensation Package
Supports Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) volunteers, who have dedicated considerable personal time to respond to these extraordinary bushfires and incurred a financial loss of income as a result.
Eligible volunteers will receive up to $6,000 in compensation if they have volunteered to firefight on a fire ground, or provided direct operational support, for more than 10 calendar days between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020.
A volunteer may only claim actual lost net (post-tax) income up to $300 per day, with the total claim not exceeding $6,000. The payments are tax-free.
https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/volunteering-jobs/volunteer/support-for-qfes-volunteers
Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants
If your primary production enterprise has suffered direct damage as a result of the Southern Queensland Bushfires, you may be eligible for the Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants to assist you with the cost of clean-up, reinstatement activities and emergency measures.
Defined disaster areas:
Southern Queensland Bushfires, 6 - 12 September 2019:
Noosa Shire Council
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Southern Downs Regional Council
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Eastern Queensland Bushfires, 7 October - 19 December 2019:
Bundaberg Regional Council
Gladstone Regional Council
Gympie Regional Council
Ipswich City Council
Livingstone Shire Council (east of the Bruce Highway)
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Noosa Shire Council
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Somerset Regional Council
Southern Downs Regional Council
Toowoomba Regional Council
Applications close on 31 July 2020.
Tasmania
Recovery and Restoration Grants
Grants of up to $9,400 have been made available to support people in the Break O’Day Council area whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the Fingal bushfires. The Recovery and Restoration Grants provide people with support through:
Temporary living expenses if the principal place of residence is unfit to live in or is inaccessible (up to $9,400 available over 6 months).
Replacement of essential household items (up to $9,400 available depending on the size of the affected property).
Repair and restoration works to re-establish the principal place of resident to a basic, minimum standard to allow it to be inhabited (up to $9,400 available).
Affected individuals can apply for Recovery and Restoration Grants by phoning the Department of Communities Tasmania on 1300 665 663.
Volunteer Firefighters' Financial Support Program
At the end of January 2020, the Tasmanian Government will start to administer the Commonwealth Government's Volunteer Firefighters’ Financial Support Program, which is designed to help volunteer firefighters who have put time into volunteering in the current fire season.
The program will provide payments to eligible volunteer firefighters who are self-employed or employed by small and medium businesses and have lost income as a result of volunteering for more than 10 days.
Payments of up to $300 per day, with a total cap of $6000, will be available in the 2019-20 financial year. The payments are tax-free and not means-tested.
If you'd like notification of when the Program is open for applications, you can register your interest at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmnSigML6qURQf4wFI97HQ43RS7TZayoDt7qbu7Xsalcnfwg/viewform
Rural Relief Fund
The Rural Relief Fund offers grants of up to $2,500 for crisis relief to eligible families based on urgency and the level of support required.
The funds can cover everything from basic household goods including food to utility bills to the repair of damaged fences. Family and animal welfare is a priority.
http://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/Community-Engagement/Rural-Relief-Fund
Bank Financial Assistance Packages
ANZ
ANZ’s existing financial relief package includes measures such as the ability to suspend repayments on loans for up to three months as well as temporary interest rate relief for credit card and personal loan customers in extreme financial distress.
ANZ also extended special paid leave for employees who volunteer in emergency services to ensure they are financially supported while they serve the community.
https://www.anz.com.au/about-us/sustainability/financial-hardship
Commonwealth Bank
CommBank's Emergency Assistance Package is for customers and businesses affected by bushfires, floods and storms. They have also extended their Emergency Assistance Package to all volunteer firefighters. The package includes loan restructuring and waiving of selected fees and charges.
As part of the Bank’s Emergency Assistance Package, they can discuss a range of options, including:
Emergency accommodation assistance for CommInsure customers whose homes have been damaged by bushfire, flood or storms
Expediting claims to CommInsure for customers seeking help through their home, contents and car insurance
Customised assistance for Commonwealth Bank home loan, credit card and personal loan customers who may experience difficulties because of the bushfire, flood or storms
Considering requests for additional loans including emergency credit limit increases (subject to credit approval)
Loan restructuring for business customers with existing loans
Waiving prepayment charges for the month following the event, for affected customers wishing to access term deposits and Commonwealth Investment Bonds ahead of the maturity date
Waiving other selected fees and charges.
https://www.commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance-package.html?ei=customers
NAB
NAB customers who have lost homes this bushfire season can immediately access $2,000 grants to help cover costs such as temporary accommodation, food and clothing.
NAB employees who have had to evacuate their homes can also access a $1,000 grant.
NAB’s ongoing natural disaster financial relief measures include:
Credit card and personal loan relief where appropriate
Suspending home and personal loan repayments
Support to manage existing regional and agribusiness bank facilities
Waiving costs and charges for withdrawing term deposits early
Waiving home loan and personal loan application fees
Support to restructure other existing bank facilities
Provision of support and counselling by making NAB’s Employee Assistance Program available to customers.
Additional support now available for NAB business and agribusiness customers directly impacted by bushfires includes:
$2,000 grants to help restart or reopen and cover the cost of damaged property, equipment, fencing – and for loss of stock or livestock
Up to a three-year deferral of interest and repayments for existing NAB loans where individual circumstances warrant
A commitment not to foreclose upon, or force the sale of existing loans for up to three years
$1 billion in concessional loans to customers seeking support to restructure existing facilities to assist in repairs, restocking and re-opening for business
Support and counselling by making NAB’s Employee Assistance Program available to customers.
https://news.nab.com.au/news_room_posts/nab-announces-1-million-disaster-relief-fund
Westpac
Westpac's Disaster Relief Packages aim to offer immediate practical help to assist customers to manage the impact of natural disasters on their finances.
Grants of up to $2,000 can be accessed to help cover temporary accommodation, food and clothing.
Westpac’s Disaster Relief Packages generally offer the following:
Home loan and insurance customers
Affected customers with Westpac home loans may apply to defer repayments for up to three months
Affected Westpac customers with Home and Contents insurance may be eligible to receive assistance including emergency funds and temporary accommodation. Contact us to find out if you are eligible or to make a claim.
Business customers
Affected businesses with existing loans can request loan restructuring without incurring the usual bank establishment fees
Affected business customers with merchant facilities are eligible to receive assistance including monthly terminal access fee waivers for up to three months.
Credit cards, term deposits and personal loans
Affected credit card customers may apply to defer repayments to their card for up to 90 days
Customers wishing to purchase replacement goods may apply for a personal loan at a discounted interest rate with no establishment fee
Westpac will waive interest rate adjustments for affected customers wishing to withdraw term deposits
Customers experiencing severe hardship may also be offered a halt on all interest accrual on unsecured credit products for a period of up to three months.
Communications & Utilities Financial Assistance Packages
Contact your communications and utilities providers (e.g. Telstra, Optus, Energy Australia, Alinta Energy etc.) to see what assistance they are offering to bushfire affected customers.
Many providers are offering financial assistance packages, including bill credits or waivers to those immediately affected, as well as emergency services volunteers.
Telstra
From Monday 6 January until further notice, Telstra is making their payphone network around the country available to provide free local, national and standard mobile calls.
They will also be allowing free use of the Telstra Air Wi-Fi network at locations where payphones are equipped to provide this.
https://exchange.telstra.com.au/free-payphones-and-hotspots/
Vodafone
Vodafone is offering assistance in a number of ways to those affected by the bushfires, including:
Free mobile services for frontline volunteers
Free Vodafone mobile Wi-Fi option for each home lost to bushfires
Extra data for impacted customers and free access to emergency websites
Bill payment support or relief.
https://www.vodafone.com.au/about/company/bushfire-support
Optus Green Shoots Grants Program
This grant opens 17 February 2020 and helps to re-establish connectivity in affected areas and support affected small businesses.
2,000 grants will be available through the program and will include:
A technology pack which includes a complimentary tablet and up to two years Optus mobile plan and/or fixed internet service
Making available the dedicated tech support team based in Australia for small businesses
Optus to extend its staff volunteer programme to enable its staff to support small businesses affected by the bushfires to get back on their feet
Submit your application by the deadline on 12PM AEST on 31 March 2020.
https://www.optus.com.au/about/media-centre/bushfire-support
We are so excited to announce the winners of The Grants Hub Make It Happen Small Grants Program for 2023!