Emergency accommodation - January 2026 fires

Emergency accommodation

If you’ve been told not to return home, or your home is too damaged to live in:

  • Find a safe place to stay.
    Try to stay with family or friends if you can.
  • Talk to your insurance company.
    They may be able to help with emergency accommodation.
  • No safe place to go?
    You might be able to get emergency accommodation

Short-term emergency accommodation can help for anyone who can’t go home because of the bushfires. This ensures everyone has a safe place to stay.

You may be eligible if you have no other place to go.

Before seeking this support, people are encouraged to consider options such as:

  • contacting family or friends for support
  • speaking to their insurance provider about what their policy will cover.

If you don’t have insurance or a place to stay, contact your local council.

Temporary accommodation

Individuals and families who have no insurance may be able to get temporary accommodation. Temporary accommodation is a place to stay while your property is cleaned up, repaired or rebuilt.

Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 to speak to a recovery support officer about your needs. 

Press 9 for an interpreter if you need one or call TIS on 131 450.