Prime Minister of Australia

Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
Minister for Finance
Minister for Government Services

The Hon Kristy McBain MP
Minister for Emergency Management

The Albanese Government is expanding financial assistance for communities in the New South Wales Hunter and Mid North Coast regions impacted by the devastating floods – activating the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and extending the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).

From 2:00pm local time on Wednesday 28 May, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be available for people in the Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Maitland, Mid Coast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Port Stephens Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of severe weather. It’s a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.

From 2:00pm local time on Wednesday 28 May Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will be extended to people living in more LGAs. These are: Armidale, Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Walcha.

This is in addition to those who can already claim in the Dungog, Kempsey, Mid-Coast, and Port Macquarie-Hastings LGAs.

DRA supports people who’ve lost income as a direct result of this event by providing up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders, depending on their personal circumstances.

People can check their eligibility for AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport

These supports are on top of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements that have been activated to help households, small business, primary producers, and councils.

The quickest way to claim is online through myGov.

If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money You Owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.

As at 27 May, 2025.