2026 Victoria Bushfire Response

The following resources are to assist in accessing services to respond to and aid in the recovery from the 2026 Bushfire crisis in Victoria.

 

Further assistance is available from our support programs – contact AgBiz Assist on 1300 834 775 to find out how we can assist you.

 

Primary Producer Grants

A grants of up to $75,000 to assist with the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of primary production enterprises that have suffered direct damage as a result of bushfires.
An initial up-front payment of up to $10,000 (Tier 1) is available. To support an initial claim, evidence of direct damage is required. For example, photographs, quotations or advisory reports. You can also provide tax invoices or official receipts for recovery activities carried out.

https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/grants/

Concessional Loans for Primary Producers

Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 will support those experiencing a major loss of income.
This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.
Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance.

Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at

www.ruralfinance.com.au 

Emergency Relief Assistance Payment (DFFH)

Available if your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires and you can’t live in it, or your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property. Call VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226. Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone. A one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family.

Emergency Fodder Support Program

Agriculture Victoria and Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) have activated the emergency fodder program to provide relief assistance to farmers affected by bushfires.
Contact the VFF on 1300 882 833 or visit

www.vff.org.au

Waste Disposal Fees waived

People from the 18 LGAs impacted by the fire won’t need to pay any fees at waste disposal facilities if they show proof of residence, like a driver’s license.
The fee waivers will run for 120 days to 13 May 2026 to ensure impacted communities have enough time to clean up their property and start getting back on their feet.

State coordinated clean up program

This program will let eligible fire-affected homeowners start the recovery process by funding key clean-up activities, like demolition and removal of hazardous materials. This will be available in the impacted LGAs for the principal place of residence for people who are uninsured and under-insured.

Fencing

Eligible property owners may get support to repair fencing if:
Firefighting or disaster response teams brought about the damage, or the fence is on the boundary of National Parks, State Parks or State Forests.
In most cases, fences not on the boundary of parks or those covered by insurance won’t qualify for support. To find out if your damage is eligible for support, you can contact DEECA on 136 186.

www.ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recovery

Primary Care Connect

Primary Care Connect is actively involved in bushfire recovery efforts in Victoria, particularly following the January 2026 fires, by providing local health services, counseling, and community support in affected regions.

PCC – Strathbogie & Moira Shire & Mansfield region
Jacquie Simpson (Emergency Recovery Support Worker 0418 601 824), Jodie, Jo & Warren.

 

Windermere – Victorian Bushfire Recovery Support

Emergency Relief Payments may be available to help cover immediate essentials like food, clothing,
medication and accommodation. You may also be eligible for Re-establishment Assistance if your
home was damaged or destroyed and you have limited financial or insurance support. This
assistance can help with clean-up, temporary accommodation, repairs, rebuilding and replacing
essential household items. Support options are updated regularly.
This service is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and the
Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA)
Call Windermere enhanced intake team on 03 87934206

https://www.windermere.org.au/services/victorian-bushfire-recovery-support

ATO Support for individuals & businesses

Automatic Extensions: Payments and lodgements are automatically deferred for businesses
and individuals in specific bushfire-affected postcodes.

Payment help: Options include interest-free payment plans, penalty/interest remission, and
fast-tracking refunds.

Lost Records: Assistance finding lost Tax File Numbers (TFNs) and reconstructing damaged
tax records.

Business Specific: Options to vary GST reporting or PAYG installments.

How to get Help – ATO Emergency Support Line: Call 1800 806 218

ATO Website: Visit the ATO’s Natural disaster support page for details.

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/financial-difficulties-and-disasters/support-in-difficult-times/natural-disaster-support/bushfire-support