January 11th, 2026Support for fire-affected Victorians
The state and federal governments are standing with Victorians who have been affected by the devastating fires that have torn through so much of the state.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan visited emergency services on the ground in Central Victoria today to announce an initial $19.5 million support package for bushfire affected Victorians – jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The governments will establish a $10 million emergency support program to help distribute fodder to those farmers who need it.
The governments will also provide $1.5 million to coordinate emergency accommodation options for people who have nowhere else to go and have had to seek shelter in hotels, serviced apartments and other temporary places.
And to address and reduce the trauma that so many have been through with these fires, $1 million will fund experts in disaster recovery mental health support to provide group counselling sessions so communities can better support one another and navigate their recovery together.
A further $2 million will establish a recovery hotline, providing access to general information and help to navigate recovery services like the emergency accommodation.
The package builds on the Personal Hardship Assistance Program payments which have been activated for those who’ve had to evacuate their homes and need immediate things like food and medicine. Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family.
More support will come as further impact assessments are done when it is safe to do so. For more information on relief and recovery visit the VicEmergency website.
