Federal Government Provides 13 Weeks of Income Support for Workers Affected by Cyclone
Individuals eligible for assistance must have experienced a loss of income due to the disaster, with earnings falling below the national average weekly income.
The federal Labor government has introduced a Disaster Recovery Allowance to offer 13 weeks of income support to workers and sole traders directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Those who meet the criteria must have suffered a decline in income as a result of the disaster, with earnings lower than the national average weekly income. Applications will commence at 2 p.m. local time on March 11.
The most efficient method of application is through myGov. This assistance is accessible to individuals residing or working in the impacted regions of Queensland and New South Wales.
“During this challenging period, my message to these communities is that we stand by you and will assist you through the recovery,” stated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher emphasized that the government is taking prompt action to ensure financial aid reaches those affected.
Affected Areas and Government Response
The allowance will cover 14 Local Government Areas in Queensland, including Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, and Sunshine Coast.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to the Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Australia on March 9, 2025. Tertius Pickard—Pool/Getty Images
In New South Wales, 17 Local Government Areas are eligible, such as Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, and Tweed, as well as Lord Howe Island and its surrounding area.
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Currently, approximately 240,000 homes and businesses in Queensland are without power due to the cyclone.
Residents of Brisbane are cautioned to avoid local waterways, as the city’s CBD has received over 260 mm of rainfall since the morning of March 2, including 45 mm within an hour during a late-night downpour.
The effects of the storm are also felt in northern NSW, where multiple flood rescues have been conducted.
A spotted gum tree blown over by winds from Cyclone Alfred in the suburb of Algester in Brisbane’s south in Australia, taken on March 9, 2025. Daniel Y. Teng/The Epoch Times
Additional Recovery Initiatives
This announcement follows the introduction of a $15 million Community Recovery Support Fund, jointly supported by the Albanese and Minns governments. The fund will provide up to $1 million per NSW council to assist with immediate recovery efforts, including clean-up operations and the restoration of essential infrastructure.
Additionally, the Queensland government has activated its Personal Hardship Assistance for residents in three affected council areas.
Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants of $180 per individual and up to $900 per family of five or more will assist in covering necessities such as food, clothing, and medicine. Further aid includes grants of up to $1,765 for individuals and $5,300 for families to replace essential household items.
Moreover, support for uninsured low-income earners encompasses Structural Assistance Grants of up to $80,000 for home repairs and up to $5,000 for reconnection of essential utilities like power, gas, water, and sewerage. The government is continuously assessing damage and providing assistance to those in need.
