NSW flood relief: Full list of support

Here's where to find support if you've been affected by the 2022 floods in NSW and parts of QLD.

Financial help from the government

October floods: Funding available to natural disaster declared communities

Residents in 27 local government areas in NSW and 3 in Queensland are eligible for emergency government funding following the October floods. Residents of the following LGAs are so far eligible for the payments:

New South Wales

• Murweh
• Paroo
• Quilpie

Flood-affected communities in NSW can find out if they're eligible here.

July floods: Funding available to natural disaster declared communities

Disaster assistance is available in 23 local government areas (LGAs) following severe storms and flooding in Sydney and parts of NSW since 27 June 2022.

The LGAs are Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lithgow, Liverpool, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.

Assistance available can 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 road and essential public assets
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• Freight subsidies for primary producers.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, you can contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)

The government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child.

Financial relief was previously announced on a smaller scale, but has since been extended across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

The one-off lump sum payment is non-means-tested. It's available in local government areas for those who've suffered significant loss from the devastating weather "including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury", according to the government's release.

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)

Meanwhile, the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is being provided to help employees, small business owners and farmers. It offers a maximum of 13 weeks' payment to cover lost income as a direct result of the disaster. The payment, which is taxable, is set at the maximum equivalent rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your circumstances.

At the time of writing (March 1), financial support had been activated in the following local government areas of Northern New South Wales: Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

Eligible residents can get support by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66, or via myGov. You have until 27 August 2022 to make a claim.

Elsewhere, you can visit the government's Recovery Connect website and find resources on how to prepare for, and recover from, disasters and major natural events.

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This is open to NSW and QLD flood-affected communities and is in addition to the $1,000 Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment. People and businesses can register their interest through Service NSW and Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority. The package includes:

• Up to $75,000 for primary producers
• Up to $50,000 for small businesses and not for profit organisations
• $20,000 for sporting and community clubs

Back Home grant

Uninsured flood victims in NSW can receive up to $15,000 to repair homes, with an extra $5,000 available to replace essential household items.

Payments will be available to flood victims in the Lismore, Kyogle, Ballina, Byron, Hawkesbury, Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas.

Business impact survey

If your business has been affected by the floods, you can fill out this survey put together by the Queensland Government to identify what assistance you need most during this difficult time. Any information you provide is confidential.

Personal hardship financial assistance

Personal hardship financial assistance has been activated for flood affected areas of Queensland including the Brisbane Local Government Area, Fraser Coast Local Government Area and Sunshine Coast Local Government Area. You can find a full list of activated areas here. You can apply online or call 1800 173 349. Eligible people can apply for the following financial assistance grants:

• Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant. This is for people unable to meet their essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation. You can receive $180 per person up to $900 for a family of 5 or more.
• Essential Household Contents Grant. You might be eligible for this if you are uninsured or can't claim insurance. Financial assistance goes towards replacing or repairing essential household contents. Single adults can receive up to $1,765 and couples and families up to $5,300.
• Structural Assistance Grant. If you're uninsured or can't claim insurance, you might be able to claim up to $10,995 if you're a single adult or up to $14,685 if you're a couple or family towards making your home safe and secure.
• Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant. This Grant of up to $400 goes towards inspecting and repairing essential services such as electricity, gas or water.

Companies providing business support

On Thursday (3 March), The Australian Banking Association's chief executive, Anna Bligh, urged banking customers who are in financial stress to contact their bank. The ABA said those customers affected in Queensland and New South Wales would be able to access flood relief measures including repayment deferrals on home loans, personal loans and the waiving of fees and charges.

A number of companies have moved to offer relief packages, including grants, for their customers affected by the floods. Many are assessing eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

WestpacEmergency financial assistance measures, including home loan repayment deferrals of up to 3 months. Plus, a $2 million fund for small business customers – featuring cash grants of up to $3,000 per customer group.Call Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497 (including business customers).

We will update this table as more relief is confirmed.

Where you can find mental health support

If you're finding it hard to cope emotionally during the floods, you're not alone.

Beyond Blue has an online chat service for counselling and emotional support. You can also call 1300 22 4636 and speak to the mental health and wellbeing organisation.

In Queensland, you can get access to mental health support by calling 1300 642 255 – this is the state's confidential mental health telephone triage service. You can also call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

If you're based in New South Wales, you can call the state's Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 to get connected to your local mental health service, 24/7.

For acute mental health issues, it's best to visit your GP or nearest hospital. If it's an emergency, call triple zero (000).

$25m in mental health funding announced

The NSW government said it will offer $25 million in mental health support for those impacted by the floods. Funds will initially be given to those communities considered most in need.

Dominic Perrottet, the NSW Premier, said: "The additional funding of $25m, I believe will ensure that we don't just focus on the here and now but that care and support will be there now and into the future."

Note: We will continue to update this page with more information on support as it is announced. On 17 October, we added details about funding available for NSW LGAs.