Help after a bushfire

Relief and recovery information for people and communities in Victoria affected by major bushfires.

Immediate help after a bushfire

Relief may be available if you have been affected by a bushfire.

Relief is help you may be eligible for during and directly after an emergency.

It helps you meet your immediate needs, like food and a place to stay. Information about relief is available on the VicEmergency website or call 1800 226 226.

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Financial help

After a bushfire happens in Victoria, financial support may be available.

You might be able to get an Emergency Relief Payment from the Victorian Government.

You may also be eligible for an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.

Find out about what help is currently available on our January 2026 Victorian bushfires webpage.

Finding a place to stay

If you have been told you can’t return to your home, you need to find somewhere else that is safe to stay. Contact family and friends and ask for help.

If you don’t have somewhere to go to, call your local council. They can discuss what options may be available to you.

An Emergency Relief Centre may also be open near you. Locations are published on the VicEmergency website(opens in a new window).

Recovery programs

Recovery support aims to bring back quality of life and community services to how they were before a bushfire.

If your property was affected by the bushfires listed below, you may be eligible for recovery support.

January 2026 Victorian bushfires

Relief and recovery support for people and communities affected by the Victorian fires that started on 7 January 2026.

February 2024 Western Victorian bushfires

Support for people affected by the bushfires in Western Victoria in February 2024.

2019–20 Eastern Victorian bushfires

Recovery programs for people affected by the bushfires in 2019-20.

If you’ve been affected by a different emergency, there are general services that can provide you with help or advice.

Recovery services, wellbeing and support

Find out more about the support, advice and counselling available as you and your family recover from storms, bushfires or floods.

Resources

Translated information about Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV)

Find out how to get help after a bushfire, flood or storm, in languages other than English.

Donate

Contributing after a disaster - how to help

After a disaster, you might donate your time or money. Make sure your contribution goes where it is needed most.

Returning home after a bushfire

After a bushfire has passed, conditions may still be dangerous. If you have evacuated, do not return home until emergency services say it is safe to do so. When returning home, watch for hazards such as fire-affected trees or damaged roads and footpaths.

There may be damaged asbestos on a property following a fire. The safest way to have asbestos removed is to hire a licensed removalist(opens in a new window).

You may also experience a range of physical, mental and emotional reactions when returning home. If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Information and factsheets

Australian Red Cross – Returning home after a bushfire

Practical questions to consider if you are returning home after a bushfire.

Better Health – Bushfire aftermath - safety tips

Advice about how to protect your safety when returning home, including inspecting your property and cleaning up your home.

Building and Plumbing Commission – bushfire resources and guides

Guidelines that cover hazards that can be found on properties after a bushfire and who to contact. Additional resources can be found on the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) website including a guide to a safe return to your property after a bushfire.

Agriculture Victoria – What to do after a bushfire

Advice for farmers who have experienced agricultural impacts from a bushfire, such as losses of stock and farming assets.

Insurance Council of Australia – What to do after a bushfire

Advice on when to contact your insurance company and how to document damage.

Rebuild and repair your home after a disaster

Whether you’re dealing with bushfire, flood, or storm damage, this page helps you understand what steps to take to rebuild and repair your home safely.

Publication

Rebuilding after the fires

A case study of the Kinniburgh family who rebuilt their home after it was destroyed by 2019-20 bushfires

Planning and building permits

Find out more about the planning and building permits you need to rebuild after a bushfire, flood or storm.

Publication

Understanding different steel framing standards

A fact sheet to better understand different steel framing standards for people considering residential building in bushfire prone areas

Stories of recovery

The aftermath of a bushfire is mentally, physically and emotionally challenging.

Read about how we have worked with individuals, local councils and community groups to support recovery and resilience after a bushfire.

Warning: The content on these pages discusses floods, storms, and bushfires. This may be distressing for some individuals.

Recovery progress

Find out about recovery progress and actions after previous bushfires.

2019–20 Eastern Victorian bushfires recovery progress

Safety & emergencies

Updated 25 February 2026

Recovery support is available

If you have been impacted by the January 2026 Victorian bushfires, help is available.

Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760(opens in a new window), Monday to Friday.

Press 9 for an interpreter or call Translating and Interpretation Service (TIS) on 131 450.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

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