Guidance on the range of grants and payments available to people affected by severe weather and flooding in NSW.
This page uses Australian Government reference numbers (AGRNs) to identify natural disaster declarations. Visit the full list of disaster declarations and their AGRNs to find out if your area is included.
If you've been affected by floods, you might be eligible for disaster recovery payments. This support is administered by the Australian Government.
You may be eligible if you were affected by floods beginning in September 2022 (AGRN 1034).
Visit the list of natural disaster declarations to determine if you’re in an eligible Local Government Area (LGA).
For more information, call Services Australia on 180 22 66.
Disaster Recovery Payment – $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child if your home has been severely damaged or destroyed, or you've been seriously injured.
Disaster Recovery Allowance – short-term income assistance (up to 13 weeks) if you've lost income as a result of the floods.
New Zealand Disaster Recovery Payment – support for New Zealanders living in areas adversely affected by the floods.
New Zealand Disaster Recovery Allowance – support for New Zealanders who have lost income as a result of the floods.
Find out more and apply on the Services Australia website.
You can also visit the Australian Government emergency support by region list to check if you live in a disaster-affected area eligible for additional child care support.
If you have been by affected floods, you may be eligible for a Disaster Relief Grant. This financial assistance is provided to help people to recover a basic standard of living. Applications should be made within 6 months of the disaster.
You may be eligible if you were affected by floods or storms beginning in September 2022 (AGRN 1034).
Visit the list of natural disaster declarations to determine if you’re in an eligible Local Government Area (LGA). For more information, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
You may be eligible if:
your home (primary place of residence) was damaged by a natural disaster
you do not have insurance for the damage
you are a low-income earner with limited financial resources.
You may not be eligible if:
lack of maintenance has caused or impacted the damage, such as poor roof maintenance
the damage is cosmetic and not essential to living in a safe and habitable home.
Find out more about the Disaster Relief Grant on the Service NSW website.
Applications for this program are closed from 30 June 2023.
For information, visit the Service NSW website.
You may be eligible for the Back Home Grant if your home was damaged by the floods:
beginning in August 2022 (AGRN 1030 and 1034) who live in highly impacted Local Government Areas of Bathurst, Cabonne, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Cowra, Dubbo, Forbes, Gunnedah, Lachlan, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Murray River, Narrabri, Parkes, Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan, Wagga Wagga and Walgett (suburbs located partly within these LGAs are included).
Applications for the August and September 2022 Back Home Grant close 15 December 2023.
Closed applications
Back Home Grant programs are still being accepted for customers in extenuating circumstances. To discuss your eligibility, contact Service NSW via 13 77 88 or book an appointment. If you have a Recovery Support Service case manager, they can also assist you through the application process.
This financial assistance can help cover the costs of restoring your property to a habitable condition, or the costs of replacing essential household items.
The grant provides owners/occupiers up to $20,000, tenants up to $5000 and owner/investors up to $15,000.
This grant is for people who:
are unable to claim on insurance
are not eligible for other natural disaster relief.
Residents of multiple tenancies can apply, as can residents living permanently in:
caravan parks
retirement villages
houses
granny flats
apartments.
Low-income earners who are successful in their application for the Disaster Relief Grant are unable to apply for the Back Home Grant.
If you don’t qualify for the Disaster Relief Grant, you can apply for the Back Home Grant.
Find out more and apply for the Back Home Grant on the Service NSW website.
Financial help is available for people whose specialist healthcare is affected by floods.
You can apply for subsidies for:
Find out more information on the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.
If you are in a high-risk flood area in a Northern Rivers Local Government Area, you may be eligible for assistance through:
Expert property assessments, flood impact severity data, safety risks and potential future flood levels will determine which program option is available to you, if you're eligible.
Find out more and register your interest for the Resilient Homes Program.
The Resilient Homes Program is complemented by Resilient Land Program, which is seeking ways of increasing the housing supply in the Northern Rivers region.
Find out more and submit an expression of interest for the Resilient Land Program.
Be wary of contact from unknown people pretending to be from the Australian Tax Office or Services Australia who offer to help you apply for grants or release your superannuation.
Be wary of people who contact you about helping you access government financial support.
Do not provide any of your personal or financial information.
Do not click on suspicious links that are sent to your phone or any other device.
To speak to someone you can trust, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To receive funds of between $15,000 to $50,000, you will need to submit evidence of payment of the relevant costs at the time of application.
Receiving some grants or loans can make you ineligible for others.
You may also not be eligible if your costs can be covered another way, such as by your insurance. So, it’s important to document your circumstances and get tailored advice.
To check your eligibility, use the Disaster Assistance Finder. You can also call Service NSW for information and support on 13 77 88.
Get free legal advice with Legal Aid. Call 1800 801 529, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
Find information on Support to apply for flood grants, loans or payments about:
