Federal Government Offers 13-Week Income Support for Cyclone-Hit Workers

Eligible individuals must have lost income due to the disaster, with earnings below the national average weekly income.

Flooded cars are seen on Newmarket Road in the suburb of Wilston in Brisbane, Australia on March 10, 2025. Albert Perez/Getty Images

The federal Labor government has announced a Disaster Recovery Allowance to provide 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders directly impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Eligible individuals must have experienced a loss of income due to the disaster, with earnings falling below the national average weekly income. Applications will open at 2 p.m. local time on March 11.

The quickest way to apply is through myGov. This assistance is available to those living or working in affected regions across Queensland and New South Wales.

“My message to these communities in this difficult time is we’ve got your back and will support you through the recovery,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher added that the government is acting swiftly to ensure financial assistance reached those impacted.

Affected Areas and Government Response

The allowance will cover 14 Local Government Areas in Queensland, including Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, and Sunshine Coast.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to the Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Australia on March 9, 2025. Tertius Pickard—Pool/Getty Images

In New South Wales, 17 Local Government Areas are eligible, such as Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, and Tweed, as well as Lord Howe Island and its surrounding area.

Currently, around 240,000 homes and businesses in Queensland are without power following the cyclone.

Brisbane residents have been advised to avoid local waterways, with more than 260 mm of rainfall recorded in the city’s CBD since March 2 morning, including 45 mm within a single hour during a late-night downpour.

The storm’s impact extends to northern NSW, where multiple flood rescues have taken place.

A spotted gum tree blown over by winds from Cyclone Alfred in the suburb of Algester in Brisbane's south in Australia, taken on March 9, 2025. Daniel Y. Teng/The Epoch Times

Additional Recovery Initiatives

The announcement follows the establishment of a $15 million Community Recovery Support Fund, jointly backed by the Albanese and Minns governments. The fund offers up to $1 million per NSW council to aid in immediate recovery efforts, including clean-up operations and the restoration of essential infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Queensland government has activated its Personal Hardship Assistance for residents in three affected council areas.

Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants of $180 per individual and up to $900 per family of five or more will help cover essentials like food, clothing, and medicine. Additional aid includes grants of up to $1,765 for individuals and $5,300 for families to replace essential household items.

Further, support for uninsured low-income earners includes Structural Assistance Grants of up to $80,000 for home repairs and up to $5,000 for reconnection of essential utilities like power, gas, water, and sewerage. The government continues to assess damage and provide support to those in need.