- The quickest way to claim is to call the Disaster Assistance phone line on 180 22 66
- Services Australia Disaster Assistance phone lines are open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm local time and Saturday-Sunday from 9am-5pm local time
- More information is available on the Services Australia website here
- People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance
- Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by Tropical Cyclone Seroja
- The AGDRP provides a one-off payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged.
Disaster assistance has been made available for communities with widespread damage caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seroja under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).
The Local Government Areas of Chapman Valley, Dalwallinu, Greater Geraldton, Morawa, Northampton and Shark Bay are now eligible to receive financial assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said that there has been major damage to homes, businesses and resorts as a result of destructive winds from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seroja, with reports of homes being declared uninhabitable.
“Although this cyclone passed quickly, it was very powerful and has left a trail of devastation and destruction,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Through the DRFA, a range of practical assistance measures are now available to help people get back on their feet and support councils with the clean-up and repairs to infrastructure.
“The Australian Government will continue to work with the Western Australian Government as the extent of the damage unfolds to ensure that they have all the support they need in their recovery.”
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services Reece Whitby said the tropical cyclone made landfall between Kalbarri and Port Gregory on Sunday night, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain to coastal areas before impacting inland communities.
“Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seroja was the first time Western Australia has seen a weather event of this severity this far south in almost 50 years. It has been devastating for Mid West communities, with wide-ranging impacts on homes, businesses and public infrastructure,” Minister Whitby said.
“While it has been an extraordinarily challenging few days, impacted communities have responded with remarkable resilience.
“I would like to assure local residents that assistance is on the way, and we will be working as quickly as possible to deliver much-needed support during this time of need.”
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
- support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
- concessional interest rate loans for small businesses and primary producers, and
- freight subsidies for primary producers.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au
