Primary Producer Self-Contained Pod Program

You can apply for a self-contained pod by calling 1800 695 043.

You can apply for a self-contained pod if:

• You are a primary producer who needs to remain on your property to continue farming operations.
• Your primary place of residence is:
  1. Located in a Local Government Area declared under Natural Disaster Declaration 1212;
  2. Located on a farm/where farming operations occur.
  3. Uninhabitable as a result of AGRN1212 (the May 2025 NSW East Coast severe weather event).
• No other dwelling on the property is habitable and you have an urgent housing need that cannot be resolved through any other means
• The site meets suitability conditions for placement of a self-contained pod.
• Your primary place of residence is uninsured for flood, or the flood insurance does not cover the provision of temporary or short-term accommodation.
• You agree to return home, or move to alternate accommodation within the program period.
• You agree to the program conditions of use and lease arrangement. 

‘Primary place of residence’ means the dwelling in which you would normally reside (typically for 9 months of the year or more), at the time of the Natural Disaster, and where you maintain essential items of clothing, bedding, furniture and other items necessary for the provision of day-to-day shelter, comfort and sustenance.

A primary producer is dependent on farming operations as their primary source of income, and meets the definition outlined by the Rural Assistance Authority, or NSW Farmers. Rural landowners or hobby farmers whose primary source of income is not dependent on their farming operations do not qualify for the self-contained pods program, but may be eligible for other forms of support. 

Self-contained pods may be used by either primary producers or essential farm employees who were living on the property at the time of the disaster and employed in essential operations and whose residence is now uninhabitable. The Primary Producer must not charge employees rent for the use of the SCP.

An essential on-site employee is defined as an employee who is directly engaged in farm labour on the property on an equivalent 0.5FTE or higher that can only be undertaken on-site.

Applications will not be accepted directly from employees.

‘Uninhabitable’ means that the property is unfit or unsafe for residence as a result of AGRN 1212, because of: 

• Damage to the kitchen or bathroom which means either or both rooms are no longer sufficiently functional to enable basic cooking, food preparation, washing or sanitation. Damage must be structural in nature, rather than to appliances. It may include damage resulting in a lack of power, water or sewerage, or major damage to walls, roof or the floor.
• Damage that prevents the resident from being able to sleep in the home, due to major damage to walls, floors or the roof or bedrooms. Damage must be structural in nature, rather than to furniture, and there must be no other appropriate space available for sleeping (such as another bedroom, study or other room).
• Other significant safety or health hazards that make it unsafe to live in the home, such as significant mould, electrical damage or broken/disturbed asbestos, or major structural damage to the roof or walls.
• The home cannot be accessed due to a significant and ongoing safety concern or issue, such as landslip, or ongoing road closures.
• The home cannot be inhabited while works are undertaken by the NSW Reconstruction Authority Disaster Relief Grant or Safer Homes Program.
• Other exceptional circumstances, as agreed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. For example, where damage has rendered the home uninhabitable for a resident with specific disability requirements.

A home or room may be partially damaged and considered habitable.

Properties must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum area of 8m long x 3m wide x 3m high, and the area is flat
• There are no overhanding trees or other overhanging obstructions to the area, such as powerlines
• The area is fully within the property boundary area, with no overhang across footpaths or onto median strips
• There is road access to the site, suitable for the transportation of a pod into the site
• There are no gates, fences or other access limitations to the site.

Applicants should carefully consider the placement of the pod on the property for the duration of hire to ensure that it will not obstruct access or repair works. Once a pod is placed, it cannot be moved without prior approval.

Where an applicant does not meet the site suitability requirements or otherwise cannot place the pod on their own property due to exceptional circumstances. In these cases, the applicant must provide statutory declaration from the secondary landowner where the temporary housing will be placed, and evidence that the person providing consent is the landowner (rates notice). The secondary landowner must consent to RA accessing the property. 

Self-contained pods are equipped to function off-grid with basic amenities.

Each pod measures 7.5m x 2.4m. Storage space is limited due to size constrictions.

Self-contained pods are equipped with:

• 2,300l water tank
• 5KVA generator/ or 15amp external plug
• Small bathroom including: toilet and shower
• Washing machine
• A small open kitchen with a two-burner stove and fridge
• Fold up shade cover for outdoor use
• Bunk beds and mattresses

You will need to provide your own:

• Linen and towels
• Kitchen appliances, such as a kettle and toaster
• Kitchen utensils, cutlery and crockery, and pots and pans

See example photographs of a pod interior in the gallery on this page.

Pods are designed to provide interim accommodation only and are not suitable for long-term or ongoing accommodation.

If you are unable to place the pod on your own property, it may be possible to place it on a nearby property. You will need to provide written permission from the landowner to do this. You will have the opportunity to nominate an alternative property and provide written permission as part of your application for a self-contained pod.

Leases are offered for a maximum 12-month period.

Applications for primary producers to apply for a self-contained pod will be open until 31 October 2025. After this, new applications will not be accepted but existing program participants will continue to be supported. 

Self-contained pods are provided free of charge to assist primary producers in their recovery from the May 2025 NSW East Coast severe weather event. You will need to meet the day to day running costs such as water and diesel for generators.

A limited number of pods are available, and you are not guaranteed to receive a pod even if you meet all eligibility criteria. Applicants who are eligible but cannot be allocated a pod will be referred to the At-Home Caravans Program.

You may also be able to access the following programs as well as receiving a self-contained pod:

• Disaster Relief Grant
• Flood recovery programs related to being a primary producer that do not include housing support, such as the Primary Producer Disaster Recovery Grant.