Natural disaster support Support for people directly affected by a declared natural disaster is listed on the Services Australia website. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-support

Natural disaster support

Residents can check eligibility and apply via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp, or by phoning the 24/7 Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Primary Producers Queensland primary producers impacted during disaster events may be eligible for low interest loans and grants to help them recover.  https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/primary-producers

Tropical Cyclone Alfred March 2025

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is affecting communities in South East Queensland.

Personal hardship assistance is now available for affected residents within the Gold Coast City, Logan City, and Redland City Local Government Areas.

For information or to apply for personal hardship assistance for this event, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/tc-alfred-march-2025.

Emotional support

If you’ve been impacted by the severe weather and are experiencing emotional stress, the dedicated Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline is available. Confidentially speak to a qualified disaster counsellor on 1800 116 671 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other support and assistance

• Housing assistance is available for residents affected by this event.
• If you require other support contact your local emergency relief provider or counselling service or call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for help.

North and Far North Tropical Low from January 2025

Heavy rainfall and flooding have affected communities in North and Far North Queensland.

Closing soon: Emergency Hardship Assistance and Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant applications

Applications for the Emergency Hardship Assistance and Essential Services Hardship Assistance grants will close at 11.59pm on Friday 14 March 2025.

For information or to apply for personal hardship assistance for this event, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/nq-monsoon-trough-january-2025.

Emotional support
If are experiencing emotional stress due to severe weather, the dedicated Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline is available. Confidentially speak to a qualified disaster counsellor on 1800 116 671 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other support and assistance
Local Community Recovery Hubs and Support Services have been established in affected areas. Residents who are experiencing hardship can apply for grants and obtain emotional and wellbeing support. Go to www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/nq-monsoon-trough-january-2025 to find your local hub and attend in person.

• Housing assistance is available for residents affected by this event.
• If you require other support, contact your local emergency relief provider or counselling service or call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for help.

Help out with flood recovery
Stand with Queenslanders in their time of need by donating to one of our recovery partners. Please visit www.qld.gov.au/floods2025 for more information.

Recovery assistance available after a disaster

Queensland not-for-profit organisations impacted during disaster events may be eligible for Commonwealth/State Government concessional loans, subsidies or grants to help them recover. The Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy administer these grants via Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority. The following assistance measures may be activated for eligible disasters under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement:

• Disaster Assistance Loans for Not for Profit Organisations is a concessional loan to repair or replace damaged plant and equipment or repair essential premises.
• The Essential Working Capital Loans Scheme for Not for Profit Organisations that have suffered a significant loss of income and provides the essential working capital to continue operations.
• The Recovery Grant for Not for Profit Organisations may be available for clean-up, recovery and reinstatement but not for providing compensation for losses (i.e. loss of income/trade).

For more details, eligibility criteria or to apply visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website.

Volunteers are a vital and significant part of our community. They can provide valuable assistance at times of disasters as well as support preparedness and recovery activities. Volunteering Queensland, through Emergency Volunteering (EV) Community Response to Extreme Weather (CREW) can help councils and organisations enhance their preparedness and capacity to manage spontaneous volunteers through recruitment and registration of offers to volunteer, matching volunteers with organisations, training and sector development, development of standard operating procedures, resilience building, information and advice. For more details visit the Volunteering Queensland website.

The Landcare community includes all groups who care for their local environment, including Landcare, Coastcare, Waterwatch, Bushcare, Catchment associations, wildlife protection, community gardens, conservation groups and regional and sub-regional organisations.

If you are interested in getting involved in Landcare, we recommend following these steps:

1. Investigate if there is a Landcare group near you. Check out the QWaLC Member Group Map for Queensland to see which groups are in your area. They are always welcoming new volunteers and members and would appreciate your support. https://qwalc.org.au/volunteers-get-involved/
2. If there aren’t any member groups close by, contact our Executive Officer on info@qwalc.org.au to see if any non-member groups are in your area.

Many organisations assist with wildlife rescue in QLD. You can also search for local groups on QWaLC member group map

Severe storms and floods pose serious risks to both people and wildlife. Always follow directives from first responders like the SES (State Emergency Service) and never enter storm-affected areas.

Please take care when working with soil – particularly after heavy rains and floods and in the tropics!
The risks from contracting melioidosis are severe.
Here are some links to useful information: Worksafe QLD  and Worksafe NT