What to do if your home is lost or damaged in a flood

Accommodation support is available to people affected by floods.

You can access this by visiting a recovery centre or by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88. Service NSW staff can also help you find other support available to you.

Types of accommodation include:

• emergency accommodation and shelter
• longer term temporary accommodation such as housing pods, mobile motor homes or caravan parks and campgrounds.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has also made it easier to create or install temporary accommodation. Visit the Department of Planning and Environment's page on Temporary accommodation for more information about installing your own accommodation. 

Temporary housing in the Northern Rivers region 

Temporary housing sites provide a safe and secure home while people affected by floods begin their recovery.

These sites are usually determined by the NSW Government, in partnership with councils and local community groups. 

Find out more about the site locations on Temporary housing for flood-affected Northern Rivers region.

Rental Support Payment 

If your home is uninhabitable after a disaster, you can apply for the Rental Support Payment.

It includes up to 16 weeks' rental support in temporary accommodation. The payment is scalable based on the number of people per household, including children. 

Mail redirection with Australia Post

If you are affected by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for up to 12 months of free mail redirection.

Visit Free 12-month mail redirection for special circumstances to find out more.

Natural disasters, cleaning up and recovery can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It's important that you – and the people around you – seek support if you need it.

Find out more about Mental health support after a flood.

Help with cleaning up

All flood-impacted households and businesses in disaster-affected areas receive clean-up assistance.

This includes the removal of debris, mud and green waste, regardless of insurance status.

Read more on Flood clean-up assistance and advice.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) guide Your next steps toward recovery from floods and storms (PDF, 10.6MB) offers tips and advice to returning home after a flood. 

Insurance and legal support

As soon as it is safe to do so take photos of the damage to your home or premises.

The contents of your home may be covered by home contents insurance if you have a policy. Learn more about Legal and insurance support.

Read more on Replacing identification and personal documents after floods.

Information for tenants and landlords 

If you are a tenant, you should notify your landlord or managing agent of damage to the property.  

If you are a landlord, you should attend to repairs as soon as possible.  

Find out more about Landlords and tenants rights in a flood. 

New planning initiatives have been introduced to support families, businesses and communities to rebuild and recover from floods. 

Read more about Rebuilding or repairing your property after a flood.

Read more about disaster recovery and rebuilding initiatives.