Assistance to primary producers, small businesses and people affected by floods

The Australian Government Disaster Assist website has been set up to give individuals and families better access to information about recovery assistance following a disaster. This website will have up to date public information messages, relevant free call numbers, information on Australian Government Assistance Packages offered and links to other relevant websites and information.

Please visit www.disasterassist.gov.au.

The Australian Government is monitoring disaster-declared areas and working with the state governments to provide assistance to communities affected by floods.

Minister's media releases

• Minister for Agriculture visits Rocklea markets - 18 January 2011
• Agriculture ministers discuss the impact of the floods crisis - 10 January 2011
• Primary producers and small business urged to claim assistance - 4 January 2011
• Assistance for flood affected communities - 22 December 2010
• Minister Ludwig visits flood affected areas in Mackay - 13 December 2010

Parliamentary Secretary's media release

• Mike Kelly visits flood affected regions in NSW - 11 January 2011  

People in flood affected areas should follow advice from their local emergency services and police.

Queensland

People experiencing personal hardship due to flooding in Queensland should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment will be made available to eligible people significantly affected by flooding in Queensland. Inquiries can be made to the Emergency Assistance Hotline on 180 2266. Payments will be delivered by Centrelink.

New South Wales

NSW Emergency Management Public Information Inquiry Centre – 1800 227 228.

People experiencing personal hardship due to flooding in NSW should contact Community Services, Disaster Welfare Services on 1800 018 444.

Victoria

People experiencing personal hardship due to flooding in Victoria should contact the Department of Human Services on 1300 650 172.

South Australia

People experiencing personal hardship due to the severe storms and flooding in South Australia should contact their local Families SA Office.

Western Australia

People experiencing personal hardship due to flooding in Western Australia should contact the following government agencies for information about assistance:

• Personal Support: WA Dept of Child Protection – 1800 199 008
• Primary Producers: WA Dept of Food and Agriculture – 1800 198 231
• Small Business: 08 9323 9552

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

While put in place for past drought events, Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance in the form of household income support and interest rate subsidies continues to be available for eligible primary producers and small businesses across a large part of eastern Australia’s wheat–sheep zone until 31 March 2011. This includes the Riverina; Gundagai and Wagga Wagga regions currently affected by flooding. The area of Coonamble is not currently EC-declared.

More information on EC assistance is available at Exceptional Circumstances.