Bushfire Aid Expanded to Six More Victorian Areas

​​​Joint media release with the Hon Katy Gallagher MP

The Albanese Government has extended financial assistance to more Victorians impacted by the bushfires that have devastated communities.

From 2:00pm local time on Monday, 9 February 2026, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be available for eligible people in the following new locations: Acheron, Bullioh, Crooked River, Meredith, Mount Mercer, Thornton.

This extension brings the total number of locations where AGDRP has been activated in Victoria to 66. Previously activated locations include: Alexandra, Arapiles, Avenel, Barkers Creek, Berringama, Bungil, Carlisle River, Carranballac, Cathkin, Caveat, Cobram, Creightons Creek, Devils River, Dropmore, Duchembegarra, Fawcett, Gellibrand, Ghin Ghin, Gobur, Gooram, Harcourt North, Harcourt, Highlands, Irrewillipe, Kanumbra, Kawarren, Koetong, Koriella, Larralea, Limestone, Longwood East, Longwood, Lucyvale, Maintongoon, Merton, Mitre, Molesworth, Murrindindi, Natimuk, Noradjuha, Quantong, Ravenswood South, Ruffy, Separation Creek, Shelley, Simpson, Skipton, Streatham, Sutton Grange, Tarcombe, Terip Terip, Thologolong, Upton Hill, Vectis, Walmer, Walwa, Whanregarwen, Whiteheads Creek, Yarck and Yarroweyah.

AGDRP is available for people who have been directly impacted by the bushfires. This includes major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of the bushfires. It's a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

Impact assessments are undertaken by emergency management agencies as locations are safe to access. Those impact assessments allow the Australian Government to activate additional support for those communities.

These payments are on top of the other recovery assistance that has been activated under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.

People can check their eligibility for AGDRP on the Services Australia website.

The quickest way to claim AGDRP is online through myGov.

If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money You Owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher

"My thoughts are with people in the community, the volunteers, emergency service workers and Services Australia staff who are working tirelessly to support the recovery efforts.

"Supporting communities through crisis is what Services Australia is geared to do and the staff stand ready to provide support to people with claims for the AGDRP.

"I encourage people in the impacted areas to check their eligibility for these payments on Services Australia's website."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain

"As more communities across Victoria impacted by these devastating fires transition to recovery, the Albanese Government is continuing to put its shoulder to the wheel to make the financial assistance they need available.

"We want Victorians to know we are here for the long haul."