If your place of residence is deemed uninhabitable, emergency relief assistance may be available. We can assist with providing information that can help you find temporary accommodation, financial assistance, counselling services and more.

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The Country Fire Authority, SES or Victoria Police will advise you when it is safe to return to your property. There may be many reasons why you are unable to return home, such as remaining or new hazards, impacts to health and or missing people.

Individuals affected by an emergency can experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can be intense, confusing and frightening. There are several support services available, you'll find the details of these below.

• Lifeline: 131 114 | 24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral service.

• BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636 | Provides information on depression and anxiety. To access professional counselling services, please make contact with your GP and ask for a referral.

• Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800 | Confidential telephone counselling service for young people aged 5–25 years.

• Headspace: 1800 650 890 | Free online support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends.

• ParentLine: 132 289 | Counselling and information for families with children (up to 18 years) from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week.

• Men’s Line Australia: 1300 789 978 | 24–hour counselling and advice for men.  

• Safe Steps Family Violence Support: 1800 015 188 | 24-hour family violence support service.

• Family Violence support:  1800 737 732 | There is an increased risk of family violence after an emergency. Help is available by confidentially calling 1800 737 732 or by going to the 1800 Respect website.

• Windermere: 1300 946 337 | Counselling and support for people of all ages affected by the bushfires.

If you have experienced significant loss or experiencing financial difficulties due to an emergency, support services may be able to provide emergency relief to help with managing finances and offer financial assistance in the aftermath of an emergency.  

Visit VicEmergency for information of support available to those affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. affected by natural disasters and other emergencies.

The Department of Health and Human Services may also offer financial support after an emergency. There will also be support agencies at an Emergency Relief Centre, if one is opened.  

If you have any questions regarding how to access financial support, please contact us on 5153 9350.  

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The Insurance Council of Australia provides insurance information to assist with recovering from an emergency. Making early contact with your insurance company is important. You should speak with your insurer before authorising any major repairs and should only make minor repairs to your property to ensure its safety. It will assist the claims process if you can make an inventory of your lost property, including food, as a result of the emergency.

Agriculture Victoria work with affected landholders to assess injured livestock and losses of agricultural assets and livestock. Agriculture Victoria can also provide technical advice and help you make decisions on topics such as:

• agisting livestock affected by a bushfire
• assessing livestock after a bushfire
• stock containment areas

For more information, please visit the Agriculture Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has a range of information available to assist with managing wildlife in an emergency. 

If your water has been used by fire management agencies, the State Government will replace essential water for household purposes.  

If your property relies on tanks, you must check whether the water has been contaminated before consuming. Contamination can sometimes be detected by the appearance of the water (check for floating particles or discoloration), or by having the water tested. Contamination can be reduced by installing a first flush diverter. These are available at most hardware stores.