Ex-gratia Disaster Recovery Payment – Eastern Queensland Bushfires

This program aims to provide support to New Zealanders adversely affected by the bushfires in Eastern Queensland in November 2019 through to February 2020. It is a one-off payment for New Zealand non-protected Special Category visa (subclass 444) holders who have been affected by a major disaster.

Claims can be made until 11 February 2021 for the Local Government Area of Bundaberg.

Payments available are:
- $1,000 per adult
- $1,000 per partner or dependent adult
- $400 for each child younger than 16

Eligible recipients of the ex-gratia Disaster Recovery Payment for a child in their primary care will automatically qualify for the Additional Payment for Children. This is an additional amount of $400 for each dependent child (under 16 years of age).

Claimants can choose to get this payment in two instalments if they prefer.

Eligible applicants must, on any day of the major disaster:
- Be 16 years of age or older.
- Be a non-protected Special Category visa holder (sub-class 444) and a non-resident under the Social Security Act 1991.
- Have participated in the Australian tax system for at least one year in the past three financial years or will do so before 12 months from the date the major disaster was declared.
- Have not already received an ex-gratia Disaster Recovery Payment for the same disaster.
- Have been affected by a major disaster.

Please refer to the Claim Form for the complete eligibility requirements.

The following restrictions apply:
- The payment is not for minor damage or inconvenience (for example, temporary loss of access to a property, food spoilage or loss of electricity, water or gas to the individual's residence).
- Claims cannot be lodged on behalf of people who have died or their estate.