Funding | National Bushfire Recovery Agency

Commonwealth Bushfire Relief and Recovery Funding Factsheet

Helping Australians recover from the 2019-20 bushfires is a national priority.

The Australian Government has committed more than $2 billion to the National Bushfire Recovery Fund (NBRF).

The Australian Government has committed money from the NBRF to the bushfire recovery programs on the list below. To help get this money to people fast, in many instances we’ve asked State and Territory Governments to use the systems and processes they already have to implement these programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. We’ve flagged in the table below which programs are delivered at the State/Territory level.

This includes systems and processes to assess applications and provide direct support.

We’ve also asked charities to share some of the money with communities as emergency relief. This money is managed separately to public donations.

This approach has worked well to make sure support is rolled out quickly. We’ll keep working with our partners to find ways to make the systems and processes better and cut red tape.

We’ve spent more than $1.5 billion from the NBRF so far. This money has either already been spent or is being reimbursed to State and Territory Governments for help they deliver on our behalf.

The Australian Government has also used other existing disaster support funding mechanisms including disaster recovery payments and allowances, to provide an additional $664.7 million to communities. This means $2.2 billion from Australian taxpayers is already being used where it is needed.

We’ll continue to roll-out funding over the next two years. This means people and communities:

have time to think about what they need to recover
can get support at their own pace for what they need.

These figures are based on reporting provided to the National Bushfire Recovery Agency as at 28 February 2021. These numbers do not reflect end-of-financial-year reconciliations.

(This page is not supported by Internet Explorer browsers - please open in Chrome or Edge browsers)

Social and community

Program	Funding
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) including debris clean-up Under the DRFA, the Australian Government gives funding directly to State and Territory Governments to help pay for specific disaster relief and recovery assistance. This is managed on a reimbursement basis, which means the States/Territories need to spend their own money first and then we will repay it. Over 4,900 properties have been cleared under this program. All residential properties in South Australia and Victoria have been cleared. In New South Wales, clean-up of most residential properties is complete. More information: Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018	Allocated: $445.9 million initially (demand driven). Spent: Invoices for work completed will keep flowing through from the states. Bushfire-affected properties cleared under this program
$62 million for immediate bushfire assistance to Local Governments This funding was given to bushfire-affected councils to: speed-up recovery help strengthen community resilience. Many local councils have projects underway to: upgrade or rebuild local infrastructure generate economic activity build community resilience. More information: Media Release - Immediate financial support for bushfire affected communities	Allocated: $62 million. Spent: $62 million. 100 per cent spent (provided to local councils). Funding for this program was fully allocated in 2019-20. Councils have until 30 June 2022 to deliver projects.
$53.4 million to support the mental health of Australians affected by bushfires This funding gives immediate counselling and ongoing mental and emotional wellbeing support to individuals, families, and communities. Most of the funding will be available in the 2020-21 financial year. This is when we expect more communities to look for mental health support as they move out of the relief phase into the recovery phase. More information: Media Release - Immediate mental health services deployed into fire affected communities	Allocated: $53.4 million. Spent: $22.4 million. 42 per cent spent so far. The rest of this money will help this support keep going to 2021-22.
$50 million for extra emergency relief delivered by charities, plus financial counselling This funding included: $40 million for charities to provide extra emergency relief funding to bushfire-affected communities on behalf of the Australian Government. $10 million for financial counselling services in bushfire-affected communities, including extra support for: the National Debt Helpline locally-based providers. More information: Media Release - Delivering more immediate support to Australians impacted by bushfires	Allocated: $50 million. Spent: $50 million. 100 per cent spent (provided to charities and service providers). Funding for this program was fully allocated in 2019-20.
Back-to-school support The Additional Payment for Children (back-to-school support) gave an extra $400 to a child’s main carer to help with their education expenses. The child’s main carer was paid automatically if their child was: affected by the 2019-20 bushfires eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment. Over 88,000 claims were paid.	Allocated: $34 million initially (demand driven). Spent: $35.3 million. 100 per cent spent. Funding for this program was made available 2019-20.
Assistance for families in bushfire-affected areas Families living in bushfire-affected areas won’t have to worry about the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) activity test debt they might have in the 2019-20 financial year.	Allocated: Up to $25.9 million (demand driven). Spent: CCS activity test debt is worked out at the end of each financial year.
$15.9 million for mental health support for emergency services workers This funding gives emergency service workers and their families additional support services at no cost. It builds on the pool of services already available so they can access specialised support when they’re ready. Emergency service workers can also access the free counselling and wellbeing supports for bushfire recovery that are in place. The funding delivers: a website to connect emergency services workers and their families to support and treatment services and online self-help tools clinical psychologist support support activities to help strengthen family bonds and connect first responders with communities who share similar experiences a national action plan aimed at lowering suicide rates and improving mental health outcomes among current and former emergency services workers. Support services are now available. The national action plan will be in place by 1 July 2021. More details: Media Release - Immediate mental health services deployed into fire affected communities and Media Release - $11.5 million in mental health grants to support emergency services workers affected by the bushfires	Allocated: $15.9 million. Spent: $13.6 million. 86 per cent spent so far. This funding is available to 2021-22 to ensure that emergency service workers and their families can access support when they are ready.
Compensation for volunteer firefighters This funding has supported volunteer firefighters who lost income while being called out for long periods of volunteer service. Support has been provided to more than 3,200 volunteers. More information: Media Release - New payments to support NSW volunteer firefighters	Allocated: $15 million initially (demand driven). Spent: $11.6 million. Uptake of compensation for volunteer firefighters Funding for this program was made available for 2019-20. * This chart has been updated since the previous published chart to reflect revised approvals from the states and territories. The allocation has been adjusted to reflect demand to 30 June 2020. Unspent funds have been reallocated to support the Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program.
$13.5 million for more community wellbeing support This funding will boost emotional and mental wellbeing support for people affected by the bushfires. Support is delivered locally. More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery	Allocated: $13.5 million. Spent: $6.7 million. 50 per cent spent so far. The rest of this money will help this service keep going to 2021-22.
$8.7 million for legal assistance services to support bushfire relief and recovery This funding supports: individuals small businesses primary producers. Funding has been provided to states to support existing legal assistance services operating in bushfire-affected communities.	Allocated: $8.7 million. Spent: $8.7 million. 100 per cent spent. Funding for this program has been fully allocated to states.
$8 million for mental health support for early learning and school communities This funding is for coordinating mental health support for local schools and early childhood education and care services in bushfire-affected communities. Officers are working with early childhood education and care services and schools. The priority regions are: New South Wales – Northern NSW, Hunter-New England, Mid North Coast, Nepean-Blue Mountains, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, Southern NSW, and the Snowy Valleys Victoria – East Gippsland, Ovens, and Murray South Australia – Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills Queensland – Central Queensland and Southern Darling Downs More information: Support for bushfire-affected communities	Allocated: $8 million. Spent: $8 million. 100 per cent spent. This service continues throughout 2020-21.
Up to $2 million for wellbeing support for school communities This funding helped the National School Chaplaincy Program to deliver chaplaincy support in bushfire-affected schools. This program has provided funding to: New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria.	Allocated: Up to $2 million. Spent: $2 million. 100 per cent spent. Funding for this program was fully allocated in 2019-20.

Program

Funding

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) including debris clean-up

Under the DRFA, the Australian Government gives funding directly to State and Territory Governments to help pay for specific disaster relief and recovery assistance. This is managed on a reimbursement basis, which means the States/Territories need to spend their own money first and then we will repay it.

Over 4,900 properties have been cleared under this program.

All residential properties in South Australia and Victoria have been cleared. In New South Wales, clean-up of most residential properties is complete.

More information: Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018

Allocated: $445.9 million initially (demand driven).
Spent: Invoices for work completed will keep flowing through from the states.

Bushfire-affected properties cleared under this program

$62 million for immediate bushfire assistance to Local Governments

This funding was given to bushfire-affected councils to:

speed-up recovery
help strengthen community resilience.

Many local councils have projects underway to:

upgrade or rebuild local infrastructure
generate economic activity
build community resilience.

More information: Media Release - Immediate financial support for bushfire affected communities

Allocated: $62 million.
Spent: $62 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

100 per cent spent (provided to local councils).

Funding for this program was fully allocated in 2019-20.

Councils have until 30 June 2022 to deliver projects.

$53.4 million to support the mental health of Australians affected by bushfires

This funding gives immediate counselling and ongoing mental and emotional wellbeing support to individuals, families, and communities. Most of the funding will be available in the 2020-21 financial year. This is when we expect more communities to look for mental health support as they move out of the relief phase into the recovery phase.

More information: Media Release - Immediate mental health services deployed into fire affected communities

Allocated: $53.4 million.
Spent: $22.4 million.

42 per cent spent so far.

The rest of this money will help this support keep going to 2021-22.

$50 million for extra emergency relief delivered by charities, plus financial counselling

This funding included:

$40 million for charities to provide extra emergency relief funding to bushfire-affected communities on behalf of the Australian Government.
$10 million for financial counselling services in bushfire-affected communities, including extra support for:
- the National Debt Helpline
- locally-based providers.

More information: Media Release - Delivering more immediate support to Australians impacted by bushfires

Allocated: $50 million.
Spent: $50 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

100 per cent spent (provided to charities and service providers).

Funding for this program was fully allocated in 2019-20.

Back-to-school support

The Additional Payment for Children (back-to-school support) gave an extra $400 to a child’s main carer to help with their education expenses. The child’s main carer was paid automatically if their child was:

affected by the 2019-20 bushfires
eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.

Over 88,000 claims were paid.

Allocated: $34 million initially (demand driven).
Spent: $35.3 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

100 per cent spent.

Funding for this program was made available 2019-20.

Assistance for families in bushfire-affected areas

Families living in bushfire-affected areas won’t have to worry about the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) activity test debt they might have in the 2019-20 financial year.

Allocated: Up to $25.9 million (demand driven).
Spent: CCS activity test debt is worked out at the end of each financial year.

$15.9 million for mental health support for emergency services workers

This funding gives emergency service workers and their families additional support services at no cost. It builds on the pool of services already available so they can access specialised support when they’re ready. Emergency service workers can also access the free counselling and wellbeing supports for bushfire recovery that are in place.

The funding delivers:

a website to connect emergency services workers and their families to support and treatment services and online self-help tools
clinical psychologist support
support activities to help strengthen family bonds and connect first responders with communities who share similar experiences
a national action plan aimed at lowering suicide rates and improving mental health outcomes among current and former emergency services workers.

Support services are now available. The national action plan will be in place by 1 July 2021.

More details: Media Release - Immediate mental health services deployed into fire affected communities and Media Release - $11.5 million in mental health grants to support emergency services workers affected by the bushfires

Allocated: $15.9 million.
Spent: $13.6 million.

86 per cent spent so far.

This funding is available to 2021-22 to ensure that emergency service workers and their families can access support when they are ready.

Compensation for volunteer firefighters

This funding has supported volunteer firefighters who lost income while being called out for long periods of volunteer service.

Support has been provided to more than 3,200 volunteers.

More information: Media Release - New payments to support NSW volunteer firefighters

Allocated: $15 million initially (demand driven).
Spent: $11.6 million.

Uptake of compensation for volunteer firefighters

Funding for this program was made available for 2019-20.

* This chart has been updated since the previous published chart to reflect revised approvals from the states and territories. The allocation has been adjusted to reflect demand to 30 June 2020. Unspent funds have been reallocated to support the Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program.

$13.5 million for more community wellbeing support

This funding will boost emotional and mental wellbeing support for people affected by the bushfires. Support is delivered locally.

More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery

Allocated: $13.5 million.
Spent: $6.7 million.

Image shows a progress bar 49 per cent full. This details that 49 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent

50 per cent spent so far.

The rest of this money will help this service keep going to 2021-22.

$8.7 million for legal assistance services to support bushfire relief and recovery

This funding supports:

individuals
small businesses
primary producers.

Funding has been provided to states to support existing legal assistance services operating in bushfire-affected communities.

Allocated: $8.7 million.
Spent: $8.7 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent

100 per cent spent.

Funding for this program has been fully allocated to states.

$8 million for mental health support for early learning and school communities

This funding is for coordinating mental health support for local schools and early childhood education and care services in bushfire-affected communities.

Officers are working with early childhood education and care services and schools. The priority regions are:

New South Wales – Northern NSW, Hunter-New England, Mid North Coast, Nepean-Blue Mountains, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, Southern NSW, and the Snowy Valleys
Victoria – East Gippsland, Ovens, and Murray
South Australia – Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills
Queensland – Central Queensland and Southern Darling Downs

More information: Support for bushfire-affected communities

Allocated: $8 million.
Spent: $8 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

100 per cent spent.

This service continues throughout 2020-21.

Up to $2 million for wellbeing support for school communities

This funding helped the National School Chaplaincy Program to deliver chaplaincy support in bushfire-affected schools.

This program has provided funding to:

New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria.

Allocated: Up to $2 million.
Spent: $2 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

100 per cent spent.

Funding for this program was fully allocated in 2019-20.

Economic

Program	Funding
$448.5 million Local Economic Recovery and Complementary Projects Fund This funding will support: the delivery of local economic recovery projects in bushfire-affected communities. We will oversee this program in partnership with state, territory, and local governments. State and Territory Governments will: deliver projects be asked if they can match Commonwealth funding. You can keep up-to-date with projects on our Local recovery projects web page. More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery	Allocated: $448.5 million. Spent: $149.8 million in Commonwealth funding to the states for approved projects, with invoices for work completed flowing through from the states. A further $250 million in grants for the NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Program is under assessment and $14.6 million for the next round of the Victoria Local Community Projects Grants opened on 15 March 2021 (joint state/Commonwealth funding). 36 per cent so far.
$10,000 grants for small business This funding gives grants to small businesses: in certain Local Government Areas that have lost a significant amount of revenue because of the 2019-20 bushfires. So far, grants have been approved for more than 21,300 small businesses under this program. State and Territory Governments deliver the grants, and we provide oversight. More information: Media Release - Red tape cut, access easier for bushfire affected-small businesses	Allocated: $234 million initially (demand driven). Spent: $197.1 million* Applications are now closed. States/Territories are processing final applications. Uptake of $10,000 grants for small business * This chart has been updated to reflect revised approvals from the states and territories. This is the total amount of funding spent from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. If State and Territory contributions are included, the total amount of funding released through this program is $213.8 million.
Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program This funding is for primary producers (e.g. farmers, fishers, foresters, grape growers and apiarists) located in declared bushfire-affected areas. Over 2,800 primary producers have been approved for grants under this program. More information: Media Release - Initial $100 million bushfire emergency support for primary producers and Media Release - Further support for primary producers and small business	Allocated: $141 million initially (demand driven)* Spent: $133.4 million Applications are now closed. States/territories are processing final applications. Uptake of primary industries grants program** * This allocation has been increased to take into account an updated estimate of demand. This is the total amount of funding spent from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. If we include other Commonwealth contributions under Category C of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and State and Territory contributions, the total amount of funding released via this program is $176.8 million.**
$76 million for bushfire recovery in the tourism sector This funding helps tourism recovery for bushfire-affected regions including: domestic and international marketing campaigns grants for regional tourism events in bushfire-affected regions international media visits and diplomatic network initiatives the Australian Tourism Exchange trade event. Some activities under this program have been adjusted due to COVID-19 restrictions. The domestic marketing campaign, ‘Holiday Here This Year’, and media hosting activities have now resumed. Regional tourism grants have now closed and successful applications are being finalised. More information: Media Release - Rebuilding Australian tourism	Allocated: $76 million. Spent: $51.0 million. 67 per cent spent so far. While spending has been interrupted by COVID-19, the rest of this money will help this support keep going in 2020-21.
$50,000 small business grants and concessional loans up to $500,000 This funding covers: grants of up to $50,000 concessional loans of up to $500,000. Small business grants are for businesses and organisations that have sustained direct fire or smoke damage as a result of the fires. A concessional loan has better terms than other standard loans you might get. This can include, but is not limited to: a lower interest rate the option to defer payments. This funding is for small businesses, including primary producers and non-profit groups, that have suffered significant: asset loss, or loss of revenue. More than 2,100 businesses have been approved for small business recovery grants worth over $58 million. More than 500 small businesses and primary producers have been approved for concessional loans. Grants and loans are delivered by State and Territory Governments. More information: Media Release - Immediate small business support for bushfire affected communities	Allocated: $68.4 million initially for small business grants (demand driven). Concessional loans do not have an allocation because the money will be repaid. Spent (grants): $42.6 million* - plus more invoices from the States coming soon. Spent (loans): $45.5 million. Applications are now closed. States/territories are processing final applications. Uptake of small business grants and concessional loans** * This chart has been updated to reflect revised approvals from the states and territories. This is the total amount of funding spent from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. If we include State and Territory contributions, the total amount of funding released via this program is $58.8 million. ** This is total loans approved, not direct and immediate payments made from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund
$41 million to create a Forestry Recovery Development Fund This funding will support the recovery of forestry processing businesses and jobs in bushfire-affected communities. More information: Media Release - Rebuilding relief for Australia’s primary producers	Allocated: $41 million. Spent: $41 million now approved. 100 per cent spent.
$31 million for bushfire-affected apple growers This funding will help with the re-establishment and repair of damaged or destroyed apple orchards or perennial apple trees. So far, 23 apple growers have been approved for grants (an average of almost $1 million each). More information: Media Release - Rebuilding relief for Australia’s primary producers	Allocated: $31 million. Spent: $19.5 million. Applications are now closed. States/territories are processing final applications. 63 per cent spent so far.
$15 million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service This funding is to boost services in bushfire-affected areas through the engagement of 60 rural financial counsellors and support workers. To date, 43 full-time counsellors and support staff have been deployed to bushfire-affected areas. More information: Media Release - Initial $100 million bushfire emergency support for primary producers	Allocated: $15 million. Spent: $11.3 million. 75 per cent spent so far. The rest of this money will help this support keep going to 2021-22.
$15 million for forestry industries This funding will help with the additional transport costs of moving salvaged burnt logs to out-of-range processing mills and storage. More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery	Allocated: $15 million. Spent: $12.1 million – with milestone payments to the states flowing through. Program is still open in NSW. Applications continue to roll-in. 81 per cent spent so far.
$12.8 million for Expert Business Facilitators This funding allows expert business facilitators to visit bushfire-affected areas and help businesses plan their next steps. These advisors will work closely with Chambers of Commerce and local businesses. Advisors are already on-the-ground and assisting businesses. More information: Media Release - Red tape cut, access easier for bushfire-affected small businesses	Allocated: $12.8 million. Spent: $3.3 million. Services are being delivered in 32 Local Government Areas. All applicants have been supported. 26 per cent spent so far. The rest of this money will help this service keep going to 2021-22.
$5.7 million for wine grape producers Grants of up to $10,000 will be given to wine grape producers affected by smoke taint but who are located outside of disaster declared local government areas. So far, over 68 wine grape producers have been approved for grants. More information: Media Release - Rebuilding relief for Australia’s primary producers	Allocated: $5.7 million. Spent: $0.7 million. Applications have now closed, and a small number of applications are still under consideration. The program targets areas that were not directly impacted by fire. Primary producer grants assist other wine grape producers in fire impacted areas. 12 per cent spent so far.
$3.5 million for financial counselling for small businesses in bushfire-affected communities This funding is supporting a dedicated financial support line and employment of 12 financial counsellors. Small businesses can now call 1800 413 828 for up-to-date and comprehensive information about: support available to them financial counselling services. More information: Media Release - Immediate small business support for bushfire affected communities	Allocated: $3.5 million. Spent: $1.2 million – the remaining $2.3 million will allow us to pay for these services through to 2021-22. 34 per cent spent so far. The rest of this money will help this service keep going in 2021-22.

Program

Funding

$448.5 million Local Economic Recovery and Complementary Projects Fund

This funding will support:

the delivery of local economic recovery
projects in bushfire-affected communities.

We will oversee this program in partnership with state, territory, and local governments. State and Territory Governments will:

deliver projects
be asked if they can match Commonwealth funding.

You can keep up-to-date with projects on our Local recovery projects web page.

More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery

Allocated: $448.5 million.
Spent: $149.8 million in Commonwealth funding to the states for approved projects, with invoices for work completed flowing through from the states.

A further $250 million in grants for the NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Program is under assessment and $14.6 million for the next round of the Victoria Local Community Projects Grants opened on 15 March 2021 (joint state/Commonwealth funding).

36 per cent so far.

$10,000 grants for small business

This funding gives grants to small businesses:

in certain Local Government Areas
that have lost a significant amount of revenue because of the 2019-20 bushfires.

So far, grants have been approved for more than 21,300 small businesses under this program.

State and Territory Governments deliver the grants, and we provide oversight.

More information: Media Release - Red tape cut, access easier for bushfire affected-small businesses

Allocated: $234 million initially (demand driven).
Spent: $197.1 million*

Applications are now closed. States/Territories are processing final applications.

Uptake of $10,000 grants for small business

* This chart has been updated to reflect revised approvals from the states and territories. This is the total amount of funding spent from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. If State and Territory contributions are included, the total amount of funding released through this program is $213.8 million.

Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program

This funding is for primary producers (e.g. farmers, fishers, foresters, grape growers and apiarists) located in declared bushfire-affected areas.

Over 2,800 primary producers have been approved for grants under this program.

More information: Media Release - Initial $100 million bushfire emergency support for primary producers and Media Release - Further support for primary producers and small business

Allocated: $141 million initially (demand driven)*
Spent: $133.4 million**

Applications are now closed. States/territories are processing final applications.

Uptake of primary industries grants program

* This allocation has been increased to take into account an updated estimate of demand.
** This is the total amount of funding spent from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. If we include other Commonwealth contributions under Category C of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and State and Territory contributions, the total amount of funding released via this program is $176.8 million.

$76 million for bushfire recovery in the tourism sector

This funding helps tourism recovery for bushfire-affected regions including:

domestic and international marketing campaigns
grants for regional tourism events in bushfire-affected regions
international media visits and diplomatic network initiatives
the Australian Tourism Exchange trade event.

Some activities under this program have been adjusted due to COVID-19 restrictions. The domestic marketing campaign, ‘Holiday Here This Year’, and media hosting activities have now resumed. Regional tourism grants have now closed and successful applications are being finalised.

More information: Media Release - Rebuilding Australian tourism

Allocated: $76 million.
Spent: $51.0 million.

67 per cent spent so far.

While spending has been interrupted by COVID-19, the rest of this money will help this support keep going in 2020-21.

$50,000 small business grants and concessional loans up to $500,000

This funding covers:

grants of up to $50,000
concessional loans of up to $500,000.

Small business grants are for businesses and organisations that have sustained direct fire or smoke damage as a result of the fires.

A concessional loan has better terms than other standard loans you might get. This can include, but is not limited to:

a lower interest rate
the option to defer payments.

This funding is for small businesses, including primary producers and non-profit groups, that have suffered significant:

asset loss, or
loss of revenue.

More than 2,100 businesses have been approved for small business recovery grants worth over $58 million. More than 500 small businesses and primary producers have been approved for concessional loans.

Grants and loans are delivered by State and Territory Governments.

More information: Media Release - Immediate small business support for bushfire affected communities

Allocated: $68.4 million initially for small business grants (demand driven). Concessional loans do not have an allocation because the money will be repaid.
Spent (grants): $42.6 million* - plus more invoices from the States coming soon.
Spent (loans): $45.5 million.**

Applications are now closed. States/territories are processing final applications.

Uptake of small business grants and concessional loans

* This chart has been updated to reflect revised approvals from the states and territories. This is the total amount of funding spent from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. If we include State and Territory contributions, the total amount of funding released via this program is $58.8 million.

** This is total loans approved, not direct and immediate payments made from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund

‘States/Territories responsible for delivering support.’

$41 million to create a Forestry Recovery Development Fund

This funding will support the recovery of forestry processing businesses and jobs in bushfire-affected communities.

More information: Media Release - Rebuilding relief for Australia’s primary producers

Allocated: $41 million.
Spent: $41 million now approved.

100 per cent spent.

$31 million for bushfire-affected apple growers

This funding will help with the re-establishment and repair of damaged or destroyed apple orchards or perennial apple trees.

So far, 23 apple growers have been approved for grants (an average of almost $1 million each).

More information: Media Release - Rebuilding relief for Australia’s primary producers

Allocated: $31 million.
Spent: $19.5 million.

Applications are now closed. States/territories are processing final applications.

63 per cent spent so far.

$15 million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service

This funding is to boost services in bushfire-affected areas through the engagement of 60 rural financial counsellors and support workers.

To date, 43 full-time counsellors and support staff have been deployed to bushfire-affected areas.

More information: Media Release - Initial $100 million bushfire emergency support for primary producers

Allocated: $15 million.
Spent: $11.3 million.

Image shows a progress bar 75 per cent full. This details that 75 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

75 per cent spent so far.

The rest of this money will help this support keep going to 2021-22.

$15 million for forestry industries

This funding will help with the additional transport costs of moving salvaged burnt logs to out-of-range processing mills and storage.

More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery

Allocated: $15 million.
Spent: $12.1 million – with milestone payments to the states flowing through.

Program is still open in NSW. Applications continue to roll-in.

81 per cent spent so far.

$12.8 million for Expert Business Facilitators

This funding allows expert business facilitators to visit bushfire-affected areas and help businesses plan their next steps. These advisors will work closely with Chambers of Commerce and local businesses.

Advisors are already on-the-ground and assisting businesses.

More information: Media Release - Red tape cut, access easier for bushfire-affected small businesses

Allocated: $12.8 million.
Spent: $3.3 million.

Services are being delivered in 32 Local Government Areas. All applicants have been supported.

26 per cent spent so far.

The rest of this money will help this service keep going to 2021-22.

$5.7 million for wine grape producers

Grants of up to $10,000 will be given to wine grape producers affected by smoke taint but who are located outside of disaster declared local government areas.

So far, over 68 wine grape producers have been approved for grants.

More information: Media Release - Rebuilding relief for Australia’s primary producers

Allocated: $5.7 million.
Spent: $0.7 million.

Applications have now closed, and a small number of applications are still under consideration. The program targets areas that were not directly impacted by fire. Primary producer grants assist other wine grape producers in fire impacted areas.

12 per cent spent so far.

$3.5 million for financial counselling for small businesses in bushfire-affected communities

This funding is supporting a dedicated financial support line and employment of 12 financial counsellors.

Small businesses can now call 1800 413 828 for up-to-date and comprehensive information about:

support available to them
financial counselling services.

More information: Media Release - Immediate small business support for bushfire affected communities

Allocated: $3.5 million.
Spent: $1.2 million – the remaining $2.3 million will allow us to pay for these services through to 2021-22.

34 per cent spent so far.

The rest of this money will help this service keep going in 2021-22.

Infrastructure

Program	Funding
$27.1 million for Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) This program includes $27.1 million from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund with an additional $10 million from the Mobile Black Spot Program - $37.1 million in total. This funding will strengthen the resilience of Australia’s telecommunications networks, to help prevent, mitigate, and manage outages during future natural disasters, including: $7 million to deploy NBN Co satellite services to emergency services and evacuation centres, $10 million to boost portable telecommunications equipment reserves to help restore services quickly, $18 million (includes $10 million from the Mobile Black Spot Program) to strengthen regional and remote mobile phone base stations against outages, and $2.1 million public communication program to provide practical information and advice for communities and businesses about how to keep connected during emergencies. More information: Media Release – Strengthening Telecommunications Emergency Resilience, and Communications in emergencies and www.communications.gov.au/stand	Allocated: $27.1 million. Spent: $12.2 million. Standard practice for telecommunications providers is to invoice at the end of works. 45 per cent spent so far.
$20 million for additional fire-fighting aircraft This funding provided extra aerial firefighting capabilities, including aircraft. More information: Media Release - Bushfire relief and recovery	Allocated: $20 million. Spent: $20 million. 100 per cent spent. Funding for this program finished in 2019-20.

Program

Funding

$27.1 million for Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND)

This program includes $27.1 million from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund with an additional $10 million from the Mobile Black Spot Program - $37.1 million in total. This funding will strengthen the resilience of Australia’s telecommunications networks, to help prevent, mitigate, and manage outages during future natural disasters, including:

$7 million to deploy NBN Co satellite services to emergency services and evacuation centres,
$10 million to boost portable telecommunications equipment reserves to help restore services quickly,
$18 million (includes $10 million from the Mobile Black Spot Program) to strengthen regional and remote mobile phone base stations against outages, and
$2.1 million public communication program to provide practical information and advice for communities and businesses about how to keep connected during emergencies.

More information: Media Release – Strengthening Telecommunications Emergency Resilience, and Communications in emergencies and www.communications.gov.au/stand

Allocated: $27.1 million.
Spent: $12.2 million.
Standard practice for telecommunications providers is to invoice at the end of works.

45 per cent spent so far.

Image shows a thumbs up icon with the caption ‘$2.1 million – market research for communications program complete.

$20 million for additional fire-fighting aircraft

This funding provided extra aerial firefighting capabilities, including aircraft.

More information: Media Release - Bushfire relief and recovery

Allocated: $20 million.
Spent: $20 million.

Image shows a progress bar 100 per cent full. This details that 100 per cent of this allocated funding has been spent.

100 per cent spent.

Funding for this program finished in 2019-20.

Environment

Program	Funding
$149.7 million for bushfire recovery for native wildlife and habitats This funding will support more action where it is needed to help the recovery of native wildlife and their habitats across eastern and southern Australia. It builds on the Australian Government’s initial $53.4 million investment for immediate wildlife rescue and recovery and includes: $110 million for on-ground support for the most impacted native species across seven bushfire-affected regions. $28 million for further scientific assessment, species planning, coordination and monitoring, and program administration. This includes $2 million to support a national koala population monitoring program. $10 million in grants to help communities to conserve their local environment and drive bushfire recovery action. $2 million to support knowledge exchange on Indigenous fire and land management. More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery	Allocated: $149.7 million. Spent: $81 million with milestone payments to flow through. 54 per cent spent so far.
$53.4 million for immediate wildlife rescue and recovery This funding supports emergency actions for fire-affected wildlife and habitats. It includes: $13 million to state and territory governments for emergency actions. $7 million for Natural Resource Management groups for emergency interventions including control of feral animals and weeds and habitat protection. $12 million in Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program grants. $5 million for Greening Australia to develop a strategy to increase supply of seed and native plants for revegetation. $2.5 million for Conservation Volunteers Australia to mobilise volunteers. $10.3 million for wildlife rescue and care services, insurance populations, captive breeding, and genetic analysis. $3.6 million for expert advice and program administration. More information: Media Release - $50 million for emergency wildlife and habitat recovery	Allocated: $53.4 million. Spent: $53.4 million, with invoices to flow through. 100 per cent spent.

Program

Funding

$149.7 million for bushfire recovery for native wildlife and habitats

This funding will support more action where it is needed to help the recovery of native wildlife and their habitats across eastern and southern Australia.

It builds on the Australian Government’s initial $53.4 million investment for immediate wildlife rescue and recovery and includes:

$110 million for on-ground support for the most impacted native species across seven bushfire-affected regions.
$28 million for further scientific assessment, species planning, coordination and monitoring, and program administration. This includes $2 million to support a national koala population monitoring program.
$10 million in grants to help communities to conserve their local environment and drive bushfire recovery action.
$2 million to support knowledge exchange on Indigenous fire and land management.

More information: Media Release - Boost for Bushfire Recovery

Allocated: $149.7 million.
Spent: $81 million with milestone payments to flow through.

54 per cent spent so far.

$53.4 million for immediate wildlife rescue and recovery

This funding supports emergency actions for fire-affected wildlife and habitats. It includes:

$13 million to state and territory governments for emergency actions.
$7 million for Natural Resource Management groups for emergency interventions including control of feral animals and weeds and habitat protection.
$12 million in Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program grants.
$5 million for Greening Australia to develop a strategy to increase supply of seed and native plants for revegetation.
$2.5 million for Conservation Volunteers Australia to mobilise volunteers.
$10.3 million for wildlife rescue and care services, insurance populations, captive breeding, and genetic analysis.
$3.6 million for expert advice and program administration.

More information: Media Release - $50 million for emergency wildlife and habitat recovery

Allocated: $53.4 million.
Spent: $53.4 million, with invoices to flow through.

100 per cent spent.

Image shows an outstretched hand holding a dollar symbol. The caption reads ‘States/Territories responsible for delivering support.’

Lessons and insights

Evaluation and lessons learned

This funding will support the evaluation of the Black Summer recovery, and provide a list of important lessons learnt. All levels of government can use this disaster recovery evidence to build on existing processes and work out the best ways to respond to natural disasters in the future.

Allocated: $1.3 million.
Spent: $0.2 m for Phase 1.

15 per cent spent so far.

Other Australian Government funding

In addition to the programs listed above, the Australian Government has other existing support available to communities impacted by disasters.

An extra $664.7 million in Commonwealth funding is available to communities affected by the 2019-20 bushfires.

This includes:

$68.4 million under Operation Bushfire Assist.
$11 million for extra fire-fighting aircraft in 2019 and 2020, on top of the regular funding of around $15 million per year.
$565.9 million in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments, Disaster Recovery Allowance (including the ex-Gratia equivalents), and other funding under the joint Commonwealth-State Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
$2 million for Lifeline Australia and Kids Helpline.
$7.4 million supporting youth through headspace.
$5 million for research projects to investigate the physiological and mental health effects of bushfires.
$5.0 million for storage facilities for processed timber products, fire-affected logs, and other forestry products.

The Australian Government has also provided $88.1 million over 12 years from 2020-21 to transition to a new National Research Centre for Disaster Resilience, which will deliver and scale-up applied research to inform Australia’s disaster recovery and resilience effort.

Total allocated under the NBRF

$2.1 billion

Total spent from the NBRF so far

$1.5 billion. This includes $471.8 million to be reimbursed or reconciled.

Total spent from all sources

$2.2 billion

Please note: We have based these figures on reports provided by responsible agencies. The funding reported may be different from other published amounts due to:

rounding
updated costings
disaggregation of funding across portfolios and programs.