Emergency relief payments are available for eligible people affected by the January 2026 fires.
You can apply for an emergency relief payment if:
- your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires and you can’t live in it, or
- your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property
and
- you have unmet immediate relief needs.
How to apply
A support officer from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing can help you apply for emergency relief support.
Call the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226. Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone.
or
Go to an Emergency Relief Centre. Find an Emergency Relief Centre.
Have personal identification (ID) with you if you can. This could be a:
- driver licence
- Medicare card
- letter or bill with your name and address.
Need an interpreter?
Call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226. Press 9 for an interpreter.
Emergency Management Victoria
Visit Emergency Management Victoria for relief and recovery centre locations and additional services.
Other wellbeing resources
Our guide
Emergencies in Victoria: Managing emotional wellbeing and accessing Emergency Relief Payments guide
Better Health Channel
The Better Health Channel has information on trauma and recovery. Information is available in English and other languages.
Local councils
Your local council may provide wellbeing support. To find your local council, visit Vic Councils' map.
With the recent bushfires, it is understandable if you are feeling concerned and experiencing a mix of strong emotions or physical reactions right now.
For those who have faced bushfires before, this might be a particularly challenging time that is stirring up memories and feelings of sadness, fear, and grief.
Recovery is a personal journey, and everyone experiences things differently. For some people, recovery is ongoing.
Experiencing these emotions is a normal response to such events, but these concerns may lead to other issues if they are not managed.
If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions, talking about your worries and feelings as well as remaining connected to others can make them more manageable. It is important to identify what actions can be taken to address the source of your concerns.
Seeking help is a sign of strength and often the first step in recovery.
If you or someone close to you is feeling overwhelmed:
- contact your local doctor (GP)
- call Lifeline (13 11 14)
- Beyond Blue (1300 224 636).
In an emergency, call 000 (Triple Zero).