October 2022 flood / storm information

Check October 2022 Flood Recovery for the latest financial support information.

Rates deferment application

Macedon Ranges Shire Council will assist residents whose property has been directly affected by the 2022 floods by providing, on application, a deferment for the payment of the first and /or second rates instalment.

At this stage deferment will be accepted for this current instalment until the next instalment is due on 28 February 2023.  At that time either both instalments should be paid or an application under Council's Financial Hardship Policy made.

Apply by filling out a special rates deferment application(PDF, 208KB) . 

Emergency relief payments 

Emergency financial assistance is available for community members whose homes have been impacted by the current flood emergency in Victoria to help them to meet their relief needs.

If you think you may be eligible for an emergency relief payment, complete the online application form. 

If you are deemed eligible you will receive payment via direct deposit within three to five business days. If you need to receive payment via a physical card, (for example, if you don’t have an email address), you will need to complete a call back form.

Visit the DFFH Personal Hardship Assistance Program webpage for more information.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the floods in Victoria.

The rate of AGDRP is $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with Services Australia for a period up to 6 months.

AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, whose major assets have been directly damaged or are the immediate family members of a person who has died as a direct result of the floods.

You have until 19 April 2023 to lodge a claim for AGDRP.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the floods in Victoria.

DRA provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks up to the applicable rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on the person's circumstances.

For more information go to: Disaster Assist - Australian Government

Re-establishment assistance

If your home has been severely flooded you may be eligible for re-establishment assistance though the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). This assistance is only available for a principle place of residence that does not have building or contents insurance and it is means tested.

You may be able to get financial help to return home if you cannot:

live in your home because it is damaged or destroyed, or access your home for more than seven days because of flooding.

Re-establishment assistance can help to pay for:

clean-up emergency accommodation repairs rebuilding your home replacing some damaged contents.

Call the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 to find out if you can get financial help to return home. The hotline can also help you learn about other help available. 

Agriculture Victoria support for flood-affected farmers

A support package is available from Agriculture Victoria for flood-affected farmers:

Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to cover the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again. Note: This replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up, Relief Grants announced on 19 October. Producers that have received a Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Primary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000. Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to cover the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers. Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover the short-term business expenses. Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

Find out more

Replacement passports The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will replace passports that have been lost or damaged in declared natural disasters free of charge, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free and independent financial information, options, decision making support and referral services to farmers and small, related rural businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. A rural financial counsellor can assist farmers to understand, and apply for, government support. Call 1300 771 741.