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, call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
Temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation supports uninsured and under insured households.
You can apply for temporary accommodation if you are unable to live in your home due to the bushfires.
You may be eligible for temporary accommodation if you:
- cannot return home because it is damaged or destroyed, and
- do not have building or contents insurance or are under insured, and
- have no alternative accommodation options.
Temporary accommodation options may include:
- a caravan or modular unit placed on your property or at another agreed location
- a rent relief payment to help you pay for rental accommodation.
Onsite temporary accommodation options may be available for up to 3 years.
On-site temporary accommodation options are not available for rental properties. If you were living in a rental property, you may be eligible to access other temporary accommodation options, including the rent relief payment.
You can get help from a dedicated recovery support worker. They will work with you to understand your needs and link you with the right supports.
To apply for accommodation support, contact the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760. Press 9 for an interpreter or call Translating and Interpretation Service (TIS) on 131 450.