After a Disaster

More information: 

•  Apply for grants online at:

www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp

• Call on the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
• Visit the Facebook page @recoveryqld 

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a lump sum payment to help people affected by Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, February to March 2026.

People may be eligible if they experienced any of the following:

• major damage to their principal place of residence

• major damage to a major asset or assets that they own at their principal place of residence

• serious injury

• an immediate family member who is an Australian citizen or resident has died or is missing.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

Services Australia has an short-term allowance to help people directly affected by this disaster.

People can be eligible for DRA for up to 13 weeks if they have lost income as a direct result of the Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, February to March 2026.

Find out if you are eligible and apply online.

The Services Australia bus will be providing in person support until Friday 27 March 2026. The bus is located in the car park at 43 Middle St, Chinchilla.

State and Commonwealth Grants

Assistance provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

You may be eligible for financial or other assistance to help you get back on your feet. See assistance opportunities below:

Emergency Hardship Assistance (closes 7 April 2026)

Help with essential needs, food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation.

Essential Services Hardship Assistance (closes 7 April 2026)

Help with essential services such as, power, gas, water, and sewage.

Essential Household Contents Grant

Help to replace essential lost household contents such as bed linen and white goods.

Essential Services Safety & Reconnection Scheme

Help with safety inspections and repairs to reconnect essential services, e.g. gas, water, electricity and sewage.

Structural Assistance Grant

Help with structural repairs or contribution towards replacement of dwelling.

Find out if you are eligible and apply online.

Alternatively, call the Community Recovery Hotline (1800 173 349)

Emotional Support

The Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline (1800 116 671) is available to provide support to individuals, families, and farmers experiencing emotional stress.

All Council waste facilities are operating under regular open hours. 

Please use these facilities to dispose of flood-affected items responsibly.

Correct handling of sandbags is important to protect community health, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure waste services continue to operate safely and efficiently.

 Please do not place sandbags in wheelie bins. The weight of sandbags can damage trucks and disrupt collections.

•  Uncontaminated sandbags can be kept for future events, or the sand can be reused in your garden.

•  Contaminated or wet sandbags can be taken to a Council waste facility. Please wear sturdy gloves when handling these sandbags.

•  Unused sand can be scattered on lawns or garden beds. Do not scatter sand near stormwater drains. You can place empty bags in general waste.

Primary Producers Disaster Assistance

Disaster recovery financial assistance has been activated for Primary Producers in the Western Downs, find out more below.

Disaster Assistance Loans for Primary Producers

Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans

Freight Subsidies

Disaster Impact Surveys

The Queensland Government is connecting with business owners and primary producers who have been impacted by recent weather events.

Your feedback will help us understand what assistance Queensland businesses need after a disaster. Any information you provide is confidential.

Queensland DAF Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey

If you have experienced any impacts to livestock, please contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or visit https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/natural-disaster/assistance.

Rural Aid offers financial assistance in disasters, fodder for livestock, and domestic water supply to flood impacted farmers. Find our more here: https://www.ruralaid.org.au/.

More Information - Primary Producers

Small Business Disaster Recovery Grants

Small businesses impacted by flooding across the Western Downs now have access to important Disaster Recovery Grants of up to $25,000 and can apply for loans up to $250,000 for recovery and restoring opertations.

Click on the Business tab in the link below, scroll to the bottom and download the small business application form. Make sure you have all the information and substantiation required, then complete the application via the online portal.

Small Business Disaster Assistance Loans

Small Business Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants

Small Business Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans

The Shell QGC Flood Assistance Program

Financial assistance is available for small businesses to cover essential recovery needs such as repairs, trade costs, and the replacement of basic furnishings. Facilitated by Chinchilla Community Commerce and Industry (CCCI), applications are currently being assessed and processed within two business days. 

Contact Bev from CCCI for more details. Phone 0475 696 219 or email manager@chinchilla.com.au 

Disaster Impact Surveys

The Queensland Government is connecting with business owners and primary producers who have been impacted by recent weather events.

Your feedback will help us understand what assistance Queensland businesses need after a disaster. Any information you provide is confidential.

Disaster impact surveys | Business Queensland

To find out more information about how you can receive Queensland Government support for your business after a disaster event: 

• Rural Financial Counseling Services and Wellbeing Coaches  or phone 1300 771 741

More Information - Local Business

Impacted Food Businesses

Council's Environmental Health team is offering a food hygiene advisory/guidance (non-regulatory) service for any food business affected by flood, either by water ingress or power outage.

The team can provide clean up advice, as well as relevant certificates required to progress insurance claims.

Call 1300 COUNCIL (268 624) for more information.

Residents are encouraged to carry out clean-up activities with caution due to potential impacts to infrastructure, including electrical hazards.

Please note there will be no kerbside collection for damaged furniture or debris at this time.

Clean-up support is coordinated by our recovery team and supported by our agency partners. Plans are in place to commence clean-up operations as soon as flood waters recede and it is safe to enter individual properties.

It is important to avoid hazardous substances and for your own safety. Visit worksafe.qld.gov.au for safety guidelines.

If your property has been impacted, please phone the SES number 132 500 to log any clean up requests. Your patience is appreciated while teams coordinate the completion of these works. 

If this flooding event has impacted on your mental health in any way, there are a number of support services available to you.

Chinchilla Hospital: Go to health.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4662 8873.

Lifeline: Go to lifeline.org.au or phone 13 11 14.

Beyond Blue: Go to beyondblue.org.au or phone 1300 224 636.

Kids Helpline: Go to kidshelpline.com.au or phone 1800 551 800.

Alternatively, you can visit your local Community Centre where they can connect you to a support agency.

Please do not drop or send donations into communities affected by the recent flooding events. Unsolicited and unrequested donations can hamper recovery efforts. The best way to support those who have been impacted is via GIVIT.

GIVIT is the preferred avenue for donations from the public. To donate goods or items, visit givit.org.au/take-action/ways-to-give/donate-items.

Farm Angels is one of many authorised organisations for GIVIT. They are able to support impacted farming families.

We ask that you do not take food or other donations to any Council facility or the former evacuation centre. 

Community Social Resources

Services Australia have natural disaster online resource centre has factsheets, social media materials, a video and talking points you can use with your community.

It also has translated materials if your staff or clients need information in their language.

Community Social Resources

Disaster Loans

Not-for-profit organisations and community groups in the Western Downs can also apply for disaster loans up to $100,000 to support immediate recovery and operational needs.

Disaster Assistance Loans

Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan