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RECOVERY ACTIVE

Bushfire East Gippsland & Alpine Region
Victoria 2025

If your property has been damaged by bushfire East Gippsland & Alpine Region, Disaster Recovery Australia-network IICRC S770 (Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration)-qualified contractors are ready to attend. Document your damage and lodge your insurance claim today.

Lodge Emergency ClaimGov Hotline: 1800 226 226

Affected Areas — Declared Bushfire Event

East Gippsland
Alpine ShireRemote
Indigo Shire
Wodonga
Greater Bendigo

Note for remote areas (Alpine Shire): Contractor availability in remote regions may be limited. Disaster Recovery Australia will confirm coverage and estimated response times when you lodge your claim.

Government Financial Assistance

The following assistance programs have been activated for this event. Verify eligibility and application deadlines directly with the relevant government agency.

Emergency Relief Payments — Victorian Bushfires 2025

Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV)

Immediate financial assistance for eligible households whose primary residence has been directly impacted by the 2025 Victorian Bushfires. Covers essential needs including food, clothing, and temporary accommodation.

Amount: Up to $400 per adult | Up to $160 per child
Hotline: 1800 226 226
Apply

DRFA Household Disaster Recovery Grant — Victoria

Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements

Grant funding for owner-occupiers whose primary residence has sustained significant structural or non-structural damage from the 2025 Victorian Bushfires. Requires damage assessment by an ERV assessor.

Amount: Up to $685 (non-structural) | Up to $14,685 (structural damage)
Hotline: 1800 226 226
Apply

Personal Hardship Assistance — Small Business

Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV)

Financial assistance for small business owners who have suffered direct damage or significant disruption to their operations as a result of the 2025 Victorian Bushfires.

Hotline: 1800 226 226
Apply

ICA Insurance Assistance — Declared Bushfire Event

Insurance Council of Australia

The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the 2025 Victoria Bushfires a Significant Event. If your property has sustained fire, smoke, or suppression-water damage, contact your insurer promptly. Disaster Recovery Australia restoration contractors provide scope-of-works documentation to support your claim.

Apply

How to Lodge Your Insurance Claim

Follow these steps for the strongest possible insurance outcome. Work completed by IICRC S770-certified contractors is accepted by all major Australian insurers.

  1. 1

    Ensure Safety

    Do not enter the property until it is structurally safe. Do not use electricity if water has entered the building. Contact emergency services if required.

  2. 2

    Document the Damage

    Photograph and video all damage before any clean-up begins. Note the date and time. This documentation is critical for your insurer.

  3. 3

    Lodge Your Claim

    Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Provide your damage documentation. Ask your insurer to confirm cover for the event type.

  4. 4

    Engage Certified Contractor

    Submit your claim through Disaster Recovery Australia to be matched with an IICRC S770 (Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration)-certified contractor. All work is documented to insurance standards.

Start Your Claim

Industry Standard: IICRC S770 (Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration)

All Disaster Recovery Australia-network contractors working on this event type follow IICRC S770 (Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration) protocols. This certification is the recognised industry standard for bushfire damage restoration in Australia and is accepted by all major insurers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can a restoration contractor attend in Victoria?
Disaster Recovery Australia-network contractors aim to attend within 60 minutes in major urban areas of Victoria. Response times in regional and remote areas may vary — confirm availability for your location when you lodge your claim.
Will my insurance cover bushfire damage?
Coverage depends on your specific policy. Most standard home and contents policies cover sudden water damage from storms and cyclones. Flood damage may require a separate flood cover endorsement. Our contractors provide insurance-standard documentation to support your claim.
What should I do first after the damage?
Ensure the property is structurally safe before re-entering. Do not turn on electricity if water has entered the building. Document all damage with photos and video before any clean-up. Contact your insurer to lodge a claim, then engage an IICRC S770 (Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration)-qualified restoration contractor.
How do I apply for government financial assistance?
Multiple assistance programs are available for this event. See the Financial Assistance section above for program names, amounts, deadlines, and application links. You can also call the Government Recovery Hotline: 1800 226 226.

Ready to Start Your Recovery?

Submit your claim online. Disaster Recovery Australia will match you with a certified contractor in your area.

Privacy Notice: Personal information collected through this service is used solely for the purpose of connecting you with a restoration contractor and is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We do not sell your information to third parties.

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