Overview
No one in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales will forget the first week of March 2025, thanks to Tropical Cyclone Alfred wreaking havoc with the region. Sandbags, empty supermarket shelves, warnings to shelter, wild winds, incessant rain, widespread power outages, heartbreaking flooding, events cancelled and venues closed: autumn's initial days have delivered them all. And, if you've been at home just trying to get through it, you might've missed work, affecting your bank balance.
For communities impacted by the cyclone, on Monday, March 10 the Australian Government announced financial support via the Disaster Recovery Allowance — with applications open from 2pm local time on Tuesday, March 11. Folks in 14 Local Government Areas in Queensland and 17 Local Government Areas in New South Wales can apply if they're an eligible worker or sole trader and have lost some or all of their income as a direct result of Alfred's presence.
"At the worst of times we see the best of the Australian character. That's exactly what we've seen in the past week in Queensland and New South Wales. My message to these communities in this difficult time is we've got your back and will support you through the recovery," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, announcing the support.
To be eligible, your income must've fallen below the average Australian weekly income due to the floods, which is approximately $1975.80. More details are available from Services Australia.
In Queensland, residents and those who work in Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast are covered. In NSW, the same applies to Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield and Tweed, plus the locality of Lord Howe Island, including any islands situated within a three-nautical-mile radius.
Hardship grants including $180 per person for immediate essentials such as food, clothing and medicine, and $150 per person for losing essential services at home for more than five days in a row, have also been instituted in the Sunshine State for those in directly impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in the Redland, Gold Coast and Logan City council areas. More information is available via the Queensland Government.
Applications for the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Disaster Recovery Allowance open at 2pm local time on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. For more information, head to the Services Australia website.
For details of Queensland's hardship grants, head to the Queensland Government website.