The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) assists people who have been adversely affected by the heavy rainfall, storm damage and associated flooding that began in November 2010 and continues in January 2011 across Australia. For more information call Centrelink on 180 22 66.
Assistance for employees, small business people and farmers
The Australian Government has authorised financial assistance through Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy for employees, small business people and farmers in parts of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Contact Centrelink on 180 22 66 to register your details or for information about the subsidy.
Assistance for job seekers who are on income support payments
Job seekers who are affected by the floods may be eligible for exemption from their job search, training or other requirements. For further information please see the Job seekers affected by floods in Queensland Fact Sheet or contact Centrelink on 180 22 66.
Child Care Benefit
DEEWR has invoked Local Emergency provisions under Family Assistance Law to declare a period of local emergency for all Queensland Child Care Benefit Approved child care services with effect from 20 December 2010 and continuing until further notice. Where families are required to pay child care fees on days when their child cannot attend care due to the floods, or their child care service is closed as a result of the floods, the Government will still pay eligible families their Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate entitlements for the period of the local emergency.
Families should contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50;
Approved Child Care Services should contact the CCMS Helpdesk on 1300 667 276.
Indigenous Employment Program
For any questions regarding the Indigenous Employment Program in flood affected areas, please call the Indigenous Employment Line on 180 21 02 (free call) to be directed to a relevant contact officer or you can email indigenousjandbNAT@deewr.gov.au.
Advice to employers and employees affected by the floods on their workplace rights and options
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office has published practical advice on their website to employers and employees on relevant provisions under the Fair Work Act 2009, including how certain leave entitlements might be available. Further information is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s information line (Call 13 13 94) which is open: 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Information for Students
At the moment, major floods are affecting areas in Queensland. Students due to travel to other states should not be concerned.
Some advice for Australian students travelling to or commencing studies in flood affected areas including information on Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) extensions is available.
Other contact information and websites
Contact information
- The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment Line is 180 22 66.
- If your property is damaged and you are in urgent need of assistance, please call the Queensland State Emergency Service on 13 25 00.
- To report phone faults contact Telstra on 13 22 03 or Optus on 13 13 44.
- For updates on the weather, view the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Useful websites