Bushfires assistance 2023

The Northern Territory (NT) has experienced significant bushfires since August 2023.

The fires started across multiple areas in overlapping timeframes with significant impact across large areas of the NT, particularly in the Barkly, central Australia, and Big Rivers regions.

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are working together to deliver disaster assistance to Territorians affected by these bushfires, in the following Local Government Areas:

• Alice Springs Town Council
• Barkly Regional Council
• Central Desert Regional Council
• MacDonnell Regional Council
• Roper Gulf Regional Council
• Victoria Daly Regional Council

Financial support is available for individuals and families, businesses, primary producers, non-profit organisations and local and state governments affected by the fire, through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and includes:

• Essential emergency needs for eligible affected residents (Immediate hardship grant)
• Personal and financial counselling
• Assistance for primary producers through freight subsidies

This is initial disaster assistance for those in immediate need, any further support will be considered as the need arises and is subject to eligibility.

Find out more about the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements on the Australian Government website.

Types of assistance

Immediate hardship grant

An immediate hardship grant helps you meet the cost of basic needs in the first few days after a disaster. It contributes to immediate personal needs such as:

• food
• transport
• medical supplies
• clothing lost in the disaster.

You and your family can apply if you have been directly and adversely affected by a disaster. Examples include, you were evacuated from your home under an Evacuation Order or your primary residence was destroyed in the disaster.

For assistance contact Territory Families, Housing and Communities by email at TFHC.EmergencyManagement@nt.gov.au

Personal and financial counselling

Providing support to people who are suffering personal impact and distress as a direct result of the disaster.

Find out more about emotional and psychological services available.

For assistance contact Territory Families, Housing and Communities by email at TFHC.EmergencyManagement@nt.gov.au

Freight Subsidy Disaster Assistance

If you’re a primary producer based in the Barkly local government area (LGA), you may be eligible for freight subsidy disaster assistance.

The freight subsidy disaster assistance is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The funding is provided to support primary producers with freight costs for items such as:

• emergency fodder
• replacement fencing
• replacement animals.

Freight subsidy is up to 50% of freight costs incurred from the event – capped at $5,000.

For more information contact Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade by email at businessprograms.DITT@nt.gov.au or 1800 193 111.

Apply online through the Grants NT website.

How to apply

Information about who can apply, how to apply and where to apply is provided above for each category.

At this stage, due to the continuing bushfires, assessments cannot be conducted to determine eligibility.

Application and assessment teams may also visit affected communities.

Other help may be available

In some instances, where the impact of the disaster is severe, the Australian Government may provide further assistance.

For more information visit Services Australia - Natural disaster on the Australian Government website.

Find out more about who to contact after a fire or disaster.