Emergency assistance
Emergency Relief and Recovery provides state level support services and programs to assist families, businesses and farmers affected by emergencies across Victoria. For more information, visit Emergency Relief and Recovery.
Immediate assistance
| Provider | Assistance offered |
|---|---|
| Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | Fee Relief – in the case of natural disaster, ASIC can review late lodgement and late payment fees incurred as a result of matters outside your control and waive them in some circumstances. |
| Australian Tax Office (ATO) | Dealing with disasters – an ATO portal linking to information regarding ways that individuals and businesses can manage tax obligations following a disaster. |
| Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) - Victoria | Financial Crisis Support – provides links to immediate assistance for individuals, including accommodation, food and clothing as well as the Personal Hardship Assistance Program (PHAP). |
| Department of Human Services (DHS)/Centrelink - Commonwealth | Provides information on support and services that may be available if you are experiencing severe financial hardship, recovering from a disaster, or in need of special assistance. |
| Major banks |
Most major and some smaller banks provide assistance to address short term financial difficulties arising as a result of the impact of a disaster. See individual bank websites for information on hardship and business needs. |
Other advice and information
| Provider | Assistance offered |
|---|---|
| Business Victoria | An online resource to assist small businesses with information and details of support services. |
| Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) | VCCI provides information, business support and advice on workplace relations provisions for businesses and workers affected by natural disaster and emergencies and lost patronage. |
| Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) | Information on employment conditions during natural disaster and emergencies, including what happens if a business has to close temporarily and information about taking sick, carer or community service leave. |
| CPA Australia | The Disaster Recovery Toolkit provides advice and a series of checklists for businesses impacted by disaster. |
| Disaster Assist | Australian Government site that provides up-to-date public information messages, relevant free call numbers, information on Australian Government assistance packages and links to other relevant websites. |
| MoneySmart | Free, independent guidance to assist individuals to make the most of their money. Includes advice on ‘Storms, Fires and Floods’ and ‘Urgent Money Help'. Site run by ASIC |
| Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) | Free, independent financial advice and support for farming families and small rural businesses. |
| Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) | Professional mentoring support for small businesses. This service is often funded by Government following a disaster, but government subsidised mentoring is available at any time for a fee. |
| Tourism industry resources | Provides a series of downloadable crisis resources to assist businesses and local and regional tourism organisations to plan for, respond to, and recover from crisis events. |
Additional bushfire recovery information
These providers also provide bushfire recovery services or information:
Agriculture Victoria (including animal welfare)
Visit Agriculture Victoria.
Phone: 136 086
Personal Hardship Assistance Program
For financial assistance, visit Vic Emergency or the Department of Fairness, Families and Housing (DFFH).
Phone: 1800 226 226
Australian Government Disaster
Visit the Disaster Assist website.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Phone: 1800 686 175
Mental Health
For urgent concerns about your own, or the mental health of others, contact:
- Mental Health Services: 1800 808 284 (24 hours)
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- MensLine: 1300 789 978
- Beyondblue: 1300 224 636
- Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Nurse on Call: 1300 606 024