Cyclone Alfred may have been the first cyclone seen in South-East Queensland in over 50 years, but it left its mark on history. More than 300,000 locals throughout Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Redland City and surrounding areas were left without power, with reports still coming in days later about the damage to homes from the cyclone itself and the onslaught of rain, winds and floods in the days following.
To support the recovery of our resilient state, the Queensland and Australian Governments have announced a number of Cyclone Alfred disaster relief and support payments and help for those affected.
Government Support & Payments Available For Cyclone Alfred
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) — One-Off $1,000 Payments
Quick details:
- $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child adversely affected by Cyclone Alfred
- Opens 2:00pm (AEST), Tuesday, 11 March 2025
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a one-off non-means tested lump sum payment through the Australian Government for those affected by major disasters. If you’re part of a couple, both people can make a separate claim.
To be eligible, you must be:
- An Australian resident or eligible visa holder
- 16 years or older
- Adversely impacted by Cyclone Alfred, such as if:
- Your principal place of residence has been destroyed or has sustained major damage
- Your major asset/s have been destroyed or suffered major damage as a result of Cyclone Alfred
- You’ve been seriously injured
- You’re an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or resident who has died or is missing
- You’re the principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above
How to apply:
Visit The National Emergency Management Agency website for more information once applications open or the Services Australia website.
Disaster Recovery Allowance — 13-Week Income Support Payments For Employees & Small Business Owners
Quick details:
- Maximum amount available is equal to the maximum Jobseeker payment up to $1,007 per fortnight
- Applications open 2:00pm, Tuesday, 11 March 2025
If you’ve lost income or wages due to not being able to work during Cyclone Alfred, such as closure of your place of work (including your own small business), you can apply for up to 13-weeks of support via Centrelink.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have lost income below the average weekly income as a direct result of the floods
- Be 16 years or older
- Be located in:
- Brisbane
- Fraser Coast
- Gold Coast
- Gympie
- Ipswich
- Lockyer Valley
- Within 3 nautical miles radius of Lord Howe Island
How to apply:
Eligible residents can apply once applications open via Centrelink on the myGov website. You can also find more information on the Services Australia website or by calling the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
Queensland Government Emergency Hardship Assistance — $180 Individual Payments
Quick details:
- Available now
- $180 for individuals or up to $900 for families of 5 or more
The Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant is to provide immediate, non-asset tested support to people who need food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.
To be eligible, you must:
- Either live in or be stranded in an eligible area affected by Cyclone Alfred
- Have suffered hardship as a result of the cyclone
- Are unable to meet immediate essential needs
How to apply:
There are three ways to apply for Emergency Hardship Assistance, including:
- Online via the Community Recovery Portal
- By phone by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Visiting a Community Recovery Hub or Support Services location
Essential Services Hardship Assistance Grant — $150 Individual Payments
Quick details:
- Up to $150 per person or up to $750 for a family of 5 or more
- The Grant is only active after you’ve lost 1 or more essential services for 5+ days
- Available now
Losing power, water, gas or sewerage access is undeniably stressful. The Essential Services Hardship Assistance Grant is designed to help provide additional support if you have lost access to essential services for 5 or more days.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have an affected principal place of residence (main home) in an eligible disaster area
- Have been living in your principal place of residence (including caravans and boats) when Cyclone Alfred occurred
- Have lost one or more essential services (electricity, gas, water and/or sewerage) for more than 5 consecutive days as a result of Cyclone Alfred
- Have confirmation of loss of service by the utility servicer provider
- Be suffering personal hardship as a result of losing essential services
Essential services include:
- Electricity, including alternate power sources, like generators, turbine or solar power, that are the only source of power to your home
- Gas, including bottled gas, if your home only uses gas
- Water, including water tanks if your home only uses tank water and doesn’t have any other water sources
- Sewerage, including septic tanks, only if you can’t stay in the home due to health and safety issues
How to apply:
- Online via the Community Recovery Portal
- Over the phone via the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Visiting a Community Recovery Hub or Support Services Location
Essential Household Contents Grant (EHCG) — $1,765 Individual Payments
Quick details:
- Payments up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples or families
- Available now
Uninsured tenants or property owners can apply for the Essential Household Contents Grant to help with the cost of repairing or replacing essential household contents, including beds, linen and whitegoods impacted by Cyclone Alfred.
To be eligible:
- Your principal place of residence is in an eligible area affected by Cyclone Alfred
- You were living in your principal place of residence (including a caravan or boat) when Cyclone Alfred happened
- Your essential household items were lost or damaged as a result of the disaster
- You own the essential household items being claimed for
- You do not hold an insurance policy covering you for expenses or losses sustained during the disaster
- If you do hold an insurance policy, you must not have coverage for the relevant event (cyclone/storm/flood) and/or have evidence that an insurance claim has been declined
- You qualify for the income means test available on the Queensland Government website.
How to apply:
- Online via the Community Recovery Portal
- Over the phone via the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Visiting a Community Recovery Hub or Support Services Location
Essential Services Safety & Reconnection Scheme — Inspection Cost & Repair Payments
Quick details:
- Up to $200 towards a safety inspection for each essential service needing reconnection
- Up to $4,200 towards repair work needed to reconnect essential services
As cyclones and floods can damage and impact essential services, like water, gas, water, hot water and sewerage systems, there is support available for those not covered by insurance with damaged or disconnected services.
To be eligible:
- Your principal place of residence must be in an eligible area impacted by Cyclone Alfred
- You were living in your principal place of residence (including caravans or boats) when Cyclone Alfred occurred
- Your home must have sustained damage to one or more essential services as a result of the disaster, including:
- Electricity, including turbine or solar power, or a generator, if this is the only source of power
- Gas
- Water
- Hot water (gas or electric)
- Sewerage/septic
- You must own or have a mortgage on the residential property. If there are multiple dwellings on the same property, and are not separately metered, they can be assessed as separate households if you can demonstrate they live independently of one another
- You do not hold an insurance policy that covers you for expenses or losses sustained during a disaster, OR if you hold an insurance policy, you do not have eligible coverage or you have evidence your insurance claim has been declined
- You qualify under the income test on the Queensland Government website.
How to apply:
- Online via the Community Recovery Portal
- Over the phone via the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Visiting a Community Recovery Hub or Support Services Location
Structural Assistance Grant — $80,000 Home Repairs Support
Quick details:
- Maximum amount up to $80,000 for eligible disaster events that occurred since January 2023
- Available now
Not everyone will have suitable insurance to cover structural repairs to their home as a result of damage sustained by Cyclone Alfred. The Structural Assistance Grant (SAG) helps those uninsured or without eligible insurance coverage to make essential repairs.
To be eligible:
- The residential dwelling you’re applying for a grant must be within an eligible area affected by Cyclone Alfred
- You were living in the residential dwelling (including a caravan or boat) as your principal place of residence (main home) when the cyclone occurred
- Your home has sustained structural damage as a result of the disaster
- You own or have a mortgage on the residential property. If there are multiple dwellings on the same property, and are not separately metered, they can be assessed as separate households if you can demonstrate they live independently of one another
- You do not hold an insurance policy that covers you for expenses or losses sustained during a disaster, OR if you hold an insurance policy, you do not have eligible coverage or you have evidence your insurance claim has been declined
- You qualify under the income test on the Queensland Government website.
To apply:
- Online via the Community Recovery Portal
- Over the phone via the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
- Visiting a Community Recovery Hub or Support Services Location
Banks Offering Financial Support to Their Customers Affected By Cyclone Alfred
As of Wednesday, 12 March 2025, there are a number of banks providing support to their customers, including home and business owners. If your bank is not listed, it’s still worthwhile calling your bank to ask what support may be available if you have been impacted by Cyclone Alfred.
National Australia Bank (NAB) Disaster Relief Grants — $1,000 Grants
Quick details:
- $1,000 disaster relief grant available for any NAB customer impacted by Cyclone Alfred
- Available now until 4 April 2025
NAB has announced a $1,000 support grant payment to their customers impacted by Cyclone Alfred to help South-East Queensland and Northern NSW residents recover.
To be eligible:
- You must be a NAB customer
- You must be in a local area impacted by Cyclone Alfred, including Gold Coast, Logan, Redland and a number of areas in Northern NSW
Each case will be considered individually.
To apply:
- Via the NAB Disaster Relief Grant page.
Businesses are also encouraged to call 1300 769 650 if they have been impacted.
Other Bank Fee Waiver & Tailored Support
Other banks, including Commonwealth Bank, UniBank and many others have tailored support available depending on your products and the support needed, including fee waivers, repayment pauses and more.
Tips For Applying For Cyclone Alfred Support Grants & Payments
There are some things you can do when applying for any grants or relief payments to make your process easier and to receive payment as soon as possible, including:
- Having your ID, including driver’s licence and Medicare card, ready
- Having a copy of any insurance cover, including list of what your plan covers you for
- Having photos of the damage sustained to your property
- Having copies of recent payslips before and during Cyclone Alfred to prove loss of income or income figures
From our team at LJI Advisory Group, you are all in our thoughts.
Disclaimer: The information above is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Information, including eligibility and availability, may have changed. Please consult the individual group’s website for the latest information.
