Disaster Aid Expanded to More Fire-Hit Victorian Areas

​Joint media release with Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

The Albanese Government has extended financial assistance to more bushfire-impacted Victorian communities.

From 2:00pm local time on Thursday, 23 April 2026, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be available for eligible people in Leslie Manor of the Corangamite Local Government Area (LGA) and Woodfield of the Mansfield LGA.

This extension brings the total number of locations where AGDRP has been activated in Victoria to 68.

Previously activated locations include: Acheron, Alexandra, Arapiles, Avenel, Barkers Creek, Berringama, Bullioh, Bungil, Carlisle River, Carranballac, Cathkin, Caveat, Cobram, Creightons Creek, Crooked River, 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, Meredith, Merton, Mitre, Molesworth, Mount Mercer, Murrindindi, Natimuk, Noradjuha, Quantong, Ravenswood South, Ruffy, Separation Creek, Shelley, Simpson, Skipton, Streatham, Sutton Grange, Tarcombe, Terip Terip, Thologolong, Thornton, 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 p​eople 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

"I encourage people in Leslie Manor and Woodfield to check their eligibility for the AGDRP on Services Australia's website.

​"The easiest way to make a claim is online through myGov. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain

"The impacts of these fires are still being felt by many Victorians, and these payments will ensure affected locals can access financial support that will help them to get back on their feet.

"The Albanese Government continues to work closely with the Allan Government to provide support when and where it is needed."