Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: $25,000 for a residential property, $10,000 for a temporary dwelling
- Application opened: 25 August 2025
- Application closes: 2 February 2026
Program objective
The Home Repair Grant addresses a critical service gap for low-income households and landlords impacted by AGRN1212, who are above the eligible income threshold for the DRG program.
Uninsured households earning less than $120,000 per annum in gross income whose home was made uninhabitable as a result of AGRN1212 may be eligible for the grant.
The Home Repair Grant does not cover the cost of all repairs but instead is a contribution toward repairs to support the homeowner to return a home to a minimum basic, safe and habitable standard, that allows a resident to return home.
It aims to:
- Support homeowners to return to their homes as quickly as possible, ideally within 12 months, by providing a grant to repair dwellings rendered uninhabitable by the Disaster to a basic, safe and habitable standard.
- Support people to remain connected to their neighbourhoods and communities as part of their recovery and reduce the need to rely on temporary housing and emergency accommodation outside of their support network.
- Support landlords whose property was rendered uninhabitable by the disaster to complete repairs promptly and return affordable rental housing to the market as quickly as possible.
To apply or find more information, call 1800 695 043
This program is funded and administered by NSW Reconstruction Authority.
This program is administered by NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Eligibility
Who can apply
You can apply for the grant if:
- you are an owner-occupier, or a landlord of a property that was occupied, in an eligible local government area under the NSW East Coast Severe Weather Natural Disaster Declaration (AGRN 1212) before the flood
- the home is uninhabitable because of flood or storm damage
- your property was your primary place of residence, or your tenants’ primary place of residence and was lawfully erected at the time of the disaster
- your household income is within the income threshold for the grant
- you are not covered by flood insurance
- you do not have a current application or have not previously received the Disaster Relief Grant or Renters Bond and Advanced Rent grant
If you are a landlord, you need to agree to return your property to the private rental market at its pre-disaster rental rate for a period of at least 6 months following repairs.
Eligibility is determined by declarations of natural disasters by the NSW Government.
Location that are eligible include Armidale Regional, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Camden, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Kempsey, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter, Walcha, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding may be used towards the cost of repairing housing to a basic, habitable condition
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The Home Repair Grant addresses a critical service gap for low-income households and landlords impacted by AGRN1212, who are above the eligible income threshold for the DRG program.
Uninsured households earning less than $120,000 per annum in gross income whose home was made uninhabitable as a result of AGRN1212 may be eligible for the grant.
The Home Repair Grant does not cover the cost of all repairs but instead is a contribution toward repairs to support the homeowner to return a home to a minimum basic, safe and habitable standard, that allows a resident to return home.
It aims to:
- Support homeowners to return to their homes as quickly as possible, ideally within 12 months, by providing a grant to repair dwellings rendered uninhabitable by the Disaster to a basic, safe and habitable standard.
- Support people to remain connected to their neighbourhoods and communities as part of their recovery and reduce the need to rely on temporary housing and emergency accommodation outside of their support network.
- Support landlords whose property was rendered uninhabitable by the disaster to complete repairs promptly and return affordable rental housing to the market as quickly as possible.
Who can’t apply
You can’t apply if:
- you have a current active application for or have received a Disaster Relief Grant or Renters Bond and Advanced Rent Grant.
- you have insurance that covers damage to your property from floods
- you are a landlord and your property is leased on a short-term basis, such as holiday lettings
- someone from your household has already applied for the grant.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
The Home Repair Grant cannot be used for:
• Co-contribution requirements for emergency or temporary accommodation funded by the NSW Government.
• Costs associated with booking or rental costs for temporary or short-term accommodation or leasing of a new property.
• Repairing damage to external parts of the dwelling or repairs not required to make the home safe and habitable, including driveways and private roads unless the damage prevents safe access to the dwelling or impacts the structural integrity of the dwelling.• Any works not required to return the home to a basic, habitable standard, including cosmetic improvements, upgrading of services, appliances, furniture, utilities that have not been damaged by the disaster, or general renovations.
• Costs associated with establishing alternate, lawful long-term housing, where repairs to a home may be uneconomical. This might include purchase of alternate accommodation such as a caravan, shed conversions or tiny home.
• Tools or equipment required to safely and effectively carry out home repairs.
• Replacement of appliances which are not fixed assets such as microwaves and refrigerators, Where RA has evidence to indicate the provision of a grant does not demonstrate an efficient and effective use of public money compared to other options, RA retains the right to decline a grant
Example projects
Funding may be used towards the cost of repairing housing to a basic, habitable condition, including:
- utilities, such as repairs or reconnection to essential services e.g. water, electricity, sewerage
- structural repairs, such as restoration or replacement of damaged roofing, flooring, subflooring, walls, fittings and fixtures, kitchens and bathrooms
- demolition, debris removal or pest control
- preparation or acquisition of necessary documentation or reports to enable repairs, such as Council approvals or approvals under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Ownership and property eligibility
Where an owner-occupier has not already provided evidence from a previous Disaster Relief Grant, At-Home Caravans, or Primary Producer Pod application they must provide:
- photo ID showing name and property address, and
- proof of home ownership via current certificate of title, and
- confirmation of use as primary place of residence via council rates notice or other bill dated within the last 12 months, and
- where the applicant owns the dwelling but not the land (for example land lease community)– proof of dwelling ownership and landowner (and other interested parties) approval to apply.
Landlords must provide:
- photo ID, and
- proof of home ownership via current certificate of title, and
- copy of Residential Tenancy Agreement showing landlord name, property address and that the property was rented 3 months prior to disaster event.
In assessing the application, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will also seek:
- confirmation from Council or evidence that the dwelling was lawfully erected including for residential use, and
- confirmation that the home is uninhabitable due to AGRN 1212 verified through NSW Government-available data sources or, where necessary, a site visit.
Income threshold
Where the applicant has not already had their income verified through a previous unsuccessful or withdrawn Disaster Relief Grant application, they will need to provide one of the following:
- employer income or Centrelink statement, or
- two payslips covering the date of the event or just before, or
- tax statement from 2024/25.
Landlords must also provide rental income statement unless rental income is clearly shown on tax or other documents already provided.
Uninsured for flood
You must provide:
- a copy of your insurance policy showing flood exclusion, or
- a self-declaration if no insurance policy is held.
The assessing officer may request secondary verification from the Insurance Council of Australia.
No other active or received grants
In your application, you must complete a self-declaration confirming you do not have a current active application for, or have not received the:
- Disaster Relief Grant, and
- Renters Bond and Advanced Rent Grant.
This will be verified by the Housing Recovery Service.
Landlord Rental Commitment
If you are applying as a landlord, you must complete a self-declaration in your application that confirms you agree to return the property to the rental market at its pre-disaster rate for at least 6 months post-repair.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
Call the Housing Recovery Service on 1800 695 043 to discuss your eligibility and to apply.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: CEO, NSW Reconstruction Authority or as delegated to relevant departmental delegates
Successful applications will be decided by NSW Reconstruction Authority.
All applications are assessed by a NSW Reconstruction Authority Community Grant Assessment Officer and applicants will be notified about their outcomes once the assessment is complete.
Support and contact
Call the Housing Recovery Service on 1800 695 043 to discuss your eligibility and to apply.