Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Assistance – Individual

This section provides guidance on preparing for a disaster and support if you have been personally affected by a disaster.

Preparedness

Preparing for natural disasters is important as it reduces your risk and can improve outcomes following a disaster.

Guides to Prepare for a Disaster

Australian Broadcasting Comission (ABC)

Plan for an Emergency

Use the 'Search' function to find local warnings and incidents across Australia on the interactive map. Additional resources and information about preparation and recovery from a disaster are available.

Australian Red Cross

Preparing for emergencies

Information about how to prepare for an emergency including a Disaster Preparedness Quiz, emergency plan information, an emergency pack list, and information about the Get Prepared app.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Government of Western Australia

Hazard Information

Information about hazards and strategies to help you plan for emergencies.

Health Direct

Natural Disasters

Information about natural disasters and how you can prepare for one.

Services Australia

Australian Government

Natural disasters – Preparing

Information outlining how you can prepare for a natural disaster, such as a fire, flood or storm.

The Salvation Army

Planning for the Unplanned

Planning for the unplanned: Are you ready for a natural disaster? is a guidebook that includes real stories from people and supports you to develop your own plans for being financially ready for a natural disaster.

 

Apps

Australian Red Cross

Get Prepared App

Get Prepared is an easy-to-use app that helps you create a personal emergency plan, so you can take care of yourself, your loved ones, and what's important to you.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Government of Western Australia

My Bushfire Plan

The My Bushfire Plan app is a bushfire preparedness tool, providing you with one place to prepare, store, share and update your bushfire plan, anytime and from any device.

Telcos

Telstra

How to prepare and stay connected during natural disaster

Information providing tips for preparing for a natural disaster.

What Telstra is doing to support individuals and communities during disasters

Information about how Telstra is helping to support the community before, during and after a natural disaster.

 

Debt Support

Banks and telecommunications providers can offer debt support to help you manage financial difficulties during challenging times.

Banks

ANZ

1800 149 549 (within Australia)
Disaster relief and support

Information to help customers and communities get back on their feet after experiencing a natural disaster.

Australian Banking Association

Information, guides and contact details for banks for people in financial difficulty.

Commonwealth Bank

1800 314 695
Emergency Assistance – Monday to Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm (AEST), Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm (AEST)

Disaster relief and support

Commonwealth Bank's Customer Support Service provides confidential and independent counselling to its customers. This service offers three free telephone counselling sessions for emotional or psychological support. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Customer Support Service
1300 360 793

Commonwealth Bank

Indigenous Customer Assistance Line (ICAL)
1800 700 682
Monday to Friday 9am till 7pm AEST and Saturday 10am till 2pm AEST.

Alternatively, you can email ical@cba.com.au with (Natural Disaster) as the subject line as these will take priority.

National Australia Bank

1300 661 114 (within Australia)
NAB Assist Team – Monday to Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm (AEST), Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm (AEST)

Disaster relief and support

Information and support options for customers impacted by natural disasters.

P&N Bank

1300 591 276
Financial Hardship Team – Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm AWST

Disaster relief and support 

Information for customers facing financial hardship.

Westpac Bank

1800 067 497 (within Australia)
Westpac Assist Team – Monday to Friday 8:30am – 7:30pm (AEST), Saturday 9:30am – 6:00pm (AEST)

Disaster relief and support

Information about disaster support and hardship assistance for Westpac customers.

Other

Ask Izzy

Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.

If you use Telstra or Vodafone mobile networks, you can access Ask Izzy on your phone even if you don’t have credit or access to WIFI.

Grant Payment Relief

Grants or relief payments provide financial assistance to individuals and families facing hardship due to unforeseen events or emergencies.

Western Australia

Department of Communities

Government of Western Australia

1800 032 965

WA State Government assistance may be available to you. For further information, contact the Disaster Response Hotline.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Government of Western Australia

Emergency WA

Recovery advice including current recovery assistance and hazard recovery information.

Foodbank

1800 979 777
9:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday (closed on public holidays).

If you need food support call the Emergency Relief and Food Access Service.

Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund

Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund

Provides financial assistance to individuals in Western Australia experiencing hardship due to disasters or emergencies declared by the government or deemed eligible by the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund Board.

National

Department of Home Affairs – Disaster Assist

Australian Government

Department of Home Affairs – Disaster Assist

This website provides information on payments and allowances you may be able to apply for if you are involved in an event that is declared a disaster. There is also a useful communication factsheet.

Services Australia

Australian Government

Natural Disaster Support

Federal assistance is available for people directly affected by a natural disaster event such as a fire, storms or floods in disaster declared areas. This website provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on natural disaster events.

Support Services

The following support services can provide assistance if you have been impacted by a disaster.

Legal Services

Financial Rights Legal Centre

Financial Rights Legal Centre

A specialist legal centre providing advice for anyone in financial distress. There is specific information for those impacted by a severe weather event.

Bushfire Insurance

Flood Insurance

Flood Premiums

Storm Insurance

Insurance Claims Management Services

Natural Disaster Insurance: Initial Claims Issues

Mental Health

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue 

Beyond Blue offers supports and services to people in Australia, including how to cope after a traumatic event.

Blue Knot Foundation

Blue Knot Foundation

Blue Knot is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. This site includes resources on understanding trauma, it’s impacts and healing strategies.

Lifeline

Lifeline Australia

13 11 14
Lifeline Australia provides 24/7 crisis support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

Lifeline – Bushfire Recovery Line

13 43 57 or 13HELP
Lifeline helpline specifically for bushfire recovery and other traumatic extreme weather events.

Mental Health Australia

Mental Health Australia

Mental Health Australia is the peak, national non-government organisation promoting the interests of the mental health sector. This resource includes information on trauma informed practices.

Phoenix Australia

Disaster Mental Health Hub

Phoenix Australia has a comprehensive Disaster Mental Health Hub. This Hub includes information, resources and training for professionals who support individuals and communities experiencing the mental health impacts of disasters.

Small Business

Rural West

Rural West
1800 612 004

A free, confidential, mobile and independent financial counselling service for regional small businesses or primary producers experiencing financial hardship across WA.

Small Business Debt Helpline 

Small Business Debt Helpline

1800 413 828
9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday AEST

The Small Business Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit that helps small business owners and sole traders in financial difficulty. The service is free, independent and confidential.

General

Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross

Practical emergency management resources to use before, during and after emergencies.

Department of Communities

Government of Western Australia

1800 032 965
9.00am-4.00pm Monday - Friday

This help line has been established to outline assistance that may be available following a natural disaster.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Government of Western Australia

Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Recovery advice, available assistance and resources.