Relief & Recovery

Current Events

Floods East Gippsland April 2022

Victorian Fires 2019-20

General Information

North East Fires 2019-20

Southwest Fires March 2018

Floods and storms June 2021

Storm

Previous Incidents

Blue-Green Algae

Wellbeing

Fire

Flood

Earthquake

Tsunami

January 2026 fires

 

Call Triple Zero (000) in life threatening emergencies.  

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in a disaster. For tips to cope, call Lifeline's disaster support line on 13 43 57. 

There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone.

1800RESPECT is a free service. They offer support to people impacted by family violence. To talk to someone, call 1800 737 732, text something like 'hello' to 0458 737 732, or chat online at 1800respect.org.auHelping bushfire-affected communities

Helping bushfire-affected communities

Find out how you can contribute on the How to help page on this website.

Find somewhere safe to go

If you are in a bushfire risk area, you should leave the area. Go to a relief centre, major town or regional centre. 

Check the VicTraffic website for road closures. Your normal routes may be closed. 

Stay with friends or family outside of the bushfire risk area if you can.

If you can't stay with family or friends, you can stay at a relief centre. A relief centre provides basic support like somewhere to stay, food, water, and mental health first aid. 

Conditions can change at any time. Follow advice in warnings for the safest place to go. 

Relief centres:  

  • Benalla Relief Centre, Town Hall 82-86 Nunn Street, Benalla
  • Colac - Drop in centre at Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre (COPACC). Wifi, power, bathrooms, and tea and coffee available. 
  • Mansfield Sporting Complex, 35 Highett Street, Mansfield
  • Seymour Sports and Aquatics Centre (Chittick Park), Pollard Street, Seymour. There is disability access. Small pets including dogs and cats are welcome.
  • Whittlesea Community Centre, 57-61 Laurel St, Whittlesea (Moved from City of Whittlesea Civic Centre)
  • Wodonga Exhibition Centre at Wodonga Racecourse, Hamilton Smith Drive, Wodonga 

For pets see RSPCA Victoria's emergency advice.  

There is no evacuation centre available in Tumbarumba in New South Wales for residents leaving Thologolong and surrounding areas. Motels and other accommodation may be full.

Do not return home until emergency services say it is safe. It could still be dangerous in your area.  

Recovery Hubs 

A recovery hub is a place you can go to get important information and resources to support your recovery journey.

  • Castlemaine - Castlemaine Town Hall 25 Lyttleton St, Castlemaine. Open 11am - 5pm Monday to Friday. 
  • Cobram - Moira Recovery Information Centre, 3/29 Station Street, Cobram. Open 10am - 2pm Monday to Sunday.
  • Natimuk - Natimuk Community Centre – 62 Main Road Natimuk. Open 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday
  • Skipton - Skipton Mechanics Hall, 5 Anderson Street Skipton . Open 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday. 

Community meetings 

The following community meetings will focus on supporting people who have been affected by the bushfires on: 

  • Tuesday 13 January at 2.00pm at the Streatham Memorial Hall, 30 Campbell Street, Streatham.
  • Tuesday 13 January at 4.00pm at the Skipton Mechanics Institute, 5 Anderson Street, Skipton.

Your local council may run community meetings to share the latest information. Stay in touch with your local council for updates. 

Help for farmers

Emergency Fodder Support Program 

Emergency fodder is being made available for farmers in fire-affected areas. To request fodder, contact the Victorian Farmers Federation on 1300 882 833 or lodge a request on the Victorian Farmers Federation website.

Agriculture Victoria has advice for farmers who have experienced loss of stock or farming assets.

Large animals and livestock relief centres

Large animals like horses can be taken to these animal relief centres:

Owners are responsible for their animals and will need to stay with their animals. Bring your own feed and extra water in case of power outages.

  • Seymour showgrounds - 55 Tallarook St, Seymour
    • Bring fencing to keep animals separate.
    • There is a relief centre nearby you can stay at.
  • Mansfield Racecourse, 6165 Midland Hwy, Mansfield
    • Horses only. No other pets or livestock.
  • Mansfield Zoo - Mansfield-Woods Point Rd, Mansfield
    • Bring fencing to keep animals separate. Electric is okay.
    • Provide own sleeping arrangements, like a tent to stay with your animals.
  • McCormack Park, 45 McCormacks Rd, Merrijig
    • Horses only. No other pets or livestock.
  • Euroa Saleyard - 58 Sutherland St, Euroa
    • Bring fencing to keep animals separate.
    • Camping is not allowed. There is no relief centre nearby. Please organise your own accommodation.

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. 

Advice

To find out if your damage is eligible for support, you can contact DEECA on 136 186. In most cases, fences not on the boundary of parks or those covered by insurance won’t qualify for support.

Relief and recovery support

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is providing relief and recovery support to people impacted by the January 2026 fires:

Emergency Relief Payments, accessed via the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter or call TIS on 131450).

Emergency Recovery Support, accessed via the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 (press 9 for an interpreter or call TIS on 131450).

 

Emergency relief payments

An Emergency Relief Payment is a Victorian Government payment, jointly funded by the Australian Government.

Emergency relief payments are designed to provide immediate financial help for eligible Victorians experiencing extreme financial hardship due to the Victorian bushfires.

Eligible people can receive emergency relief payments.

You may be eligible if you have unmet immediate relief needs and: 

  • your principal place of residence is damaged or destroyed by the January 2026 bushfires, and you can’t live in it, or 
  • your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and  you evacuated your property.

To apply for a payment: 

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing can help you apply for this payment.

  • Call the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 (Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone)  
  • Visit an Emergency Relief Centre. 

Have personal identification (ID) with you if you can. This could be a: 

  • driver licence 
  • Medicare card 
  • letter or bill with your name and home address. 

If you need help, please call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226. Press 9 for an interpreter. 

The VicEmergency Hotline is experiencing a very high number of calls about the current fires and relief payments. There may be a delay in answering your call. If you can’t speak to a support officer immediately you will receive a call back, which may be from an unknown number. We are working hard to call everyone back as soon as possible.

Emergency Recovery Support Program

Emergency recovery support is available for people directly impacted by the January 2026 fires.

If this emergency has impacted you, it can be hard to know what to do next.

A range of support is available, based on you or your family’s needs.

Recovery support officers can guide you on your journey.

Emergency recovery support can be as simple as advice on what services are available or connecting you with programs that can help you.

Emergency recovery support can help with things like:

  • finding local services near you
  • insurance and legal questions
  • money problems
  • your health and wellbeing
  • registering for government services.

If you need extra support, you may get help from a dedicated recovery support worker. They will work with you to find and access services you need.

If you were impacted by another emergency unrelated to the January 2026 fires, contact your local council to find supports in your area.

You can also find out more about support, advice and counselling available throughout your recovery.

 

Emergency Recovery Support can be accessed via:

The Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760  (press 9 for an interpreter or call TIS on 131450).

 

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a one off, non-means tested lump sum payment.

It offers a payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children who’ve been adversely affected by a major disaster either in Australia or overseas.

More information will be available at 2pm on Wednesday 14 January 2026 on the Services Australia website.

Keep up to date

Don’t rely on one source of information.

Charge your phone when it’s low on power.

  • Download the VicEmergency App and set up a watch zone for your area.
  • Save the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 to your phone.

Know who your local emergency broadcaster is. You can find them via Official Emergency Broadcasters in Victoria | Emergency Management Victoria

Carry a portable radio with you if you have one.

Let others know you are safe 

Let friends, family and emergency services know you are safe with Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite. You can do this if you left your home, or if you are staying.  

You can register at:  

  • a relief centre  

Returning home

Do not go back home until emergency services say it is safe. It could still be dangerous in your area.

Accidents are more frequent after intense stress. Be extra aware of how you and other people are driving.  

Look out for hazards like damaged trees and roads, fallen power lines, exposed wires or broken gas pipes.

Check road closures before you travel via the VicTraffic website.

Tank water

Your tank water may not be safe to drink after a fire. It could be contaminated from debris, ash, dead animals, aerial fire retardants and water-bombing.

If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not:

  • drink
  • use for food preparation,
  • use for brushing teeth
  • give to animals (pets or livestock).

Use bottled water for drinking.

If you disconnected your downpipes before the fire, hose off your roof or wait for heavy rain before you reconnect them.

Read more about bushfires and private drinking water on the Better Heath Channel.

Essential water replacement

If we take essential water from your land to fight fires, you can request for it to be replaced.

The Essential Water Replacement Policy makes sure that water needed for homes, livestock, or crops is replaced.

To replace your water, please download and complete the Essential Water Replacement Form.

You must request water replacement within 3 months of it being taken from your property. If essential water supplies run out, we will replace the water within 48 hours of your request, as long as it's safe. 

For more information, visit Public land recovery on the FFMVic website.

Air quality

Many areas in Victoria are smoky even if they are not in bushfire risk areas.  

If you are having trouble breathing or tightness in your chest seek urgent medical help and call Triple Zero (000). 

Limit your time in smoky conditions. People vulnerable to smoke should avoid the outdoors. Close windows and doors to keep your home smoke-free. 

If you are worried, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24. 

Learn about air quality and what you can do to manage your health in smoky conditions at Smoke | epa.vic.gov.au

Travel 

Drive cautiously and slow down. Stress can cause car accidents. Even if you feel confident other drivers on the road you share may be affected.  

Road conditions may be poor. Watch for fallen trees and branches, downed powerlines, exposed wires and broken gas pipes.  

Check road closures before you travel via the VicTraffic website. 

Don't return home until emergency services say it is safe. Read safety tips for returning home from the Better Health Channel.  

Business support

If your business has been impacted, Business Victoria offers resources and information, including:

  • an up-to-date fact sheet with key contacts and details
  • steps on insurance claims and disputes
  • financial support
  • wellbeing support.

For more information go to Recovering from a bushfire.  

Power outages  

Power outage information is on your energy distributor’s website. Find your energy distributor at Energy Victoria.   

Staying safe when power is out

The most important thing to do in a power outage is to stay safe.  

  • turning off appliances 

  • avoiding fallen powerlines and keep others away  

  • being careful using temporary generators.

A property with significant damage may have problems with electrical wiring. Use a licensed electrician to check safety and turn your power back on.  

Other tips for staying safe is on the Energy Victoria website. 

Staying cool in a power outage 

To stay cool: 

  • wear loose clothing  

  • drink lots of water

  • take a cool shower 

  • use a spray bottle or dampened cloth to keep skin cool

  • close doors, windows and curtains to keep hot air out.  

If you can’t keep cool at home, cool down at places like a public pool, or air-conditioned buildings.    

Injured native animals 

If you find an injured native animal you can: 

  • contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300  

Health and wellbeing  

Experiencing a disaster can be overwhelming. It can affect your mind, body and emotions.

If you're feeling stressed, anxious or unsettled, you are not alone. 

Support and advice is available to help you and those around you: 

If you've been through a bushfire before, the disaster might bring back difficult memories and feelings of sadness, fear, and grief.

Recovery looks different for everyone and it can take time. 

Strong emotions are a natural response to what is happening. Talking about your feelings and staying connected to others can help.

If you are finding things hard, asking for support is a sign of strength and often the first step in recovery.

Family violence support 

There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate danger. 

1800RESPECT is free, 24/7. Even if you’re not sure you’re experiencing family violence, you can talk to a counsellor to get help. 

Crisis support 

If you or a loved one needs extra support, speak with a local doctor, mental health professional, or counsellor. Call Triple Zero (000) if in immediate danger. 

Lifeline offers confidential 24/7 support. They exist so no one has to go through their darkest moments alone.  

Beyond Blue can help when you need information to support others, or when you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. 

Young people

Kids Helpline offers free 24/7 counselling for youth (ages 5–25). They can talk about anything big or small, serious, or silly, easy, or complicated, long or short, bad or good, in the past, future or now.

Headspace can help when young people are feeling stressed or overwhelmed (ages 12–25).

Donate

Make sure your donation helps where it is needed.

2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal

You can donate to the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal now. Every dollar raised goes directly to people who need help.
  
Your donation will support:

  • people affected by the bushfires, for immediate relief and long-term recovery
  • community projects
  • programs to help protect wildlife and restore the environment.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

This appeal is administered by the registered charity Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation. 

GIVIT

You can donate items, money, or your time to bushfire affected communities through not-for-profit donation service GIVIT.

Check out the What's Needed list to see what is urgently needed. 

Do not drop off physical donations, like food or clothes, unless you are asked to. Charities and relief centres can become overwhelmed, taking time away from supporting community.

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