Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Assistance – Individual
This section provides guidance on preparing for a disaster and support if you have been personally affected by a disaster.
Preparedness
Preparing for natural disasters is important as it reduces your risk and can improve outcomes following a disaster.
- Enhances personal safety and reduces the likelihood of harm.
- Minimises damage to property and disruptions to daily life.
- Helps maintain access to essential services like electricity and water.
- Supports faster recovery for individuals and communities.
- Builds resilience to handle unexpected challenges effectively.
Guides to Prepare for a Disaster
Australian Broadcasting Comission (ABC)
Use the 'Search' function to find local warnings and incidents across Australia on the interactive map. Additional resources and information about preparation and recovery from a disaster are available.
Australian Red Cross
Information about how to prepare for an emergency including a Disaster Preparedness Quiz, emergency plan information, an emergency pack list, and information about the Get Prepared app.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
Government of Western Australia
Information about hazards and strategies to help you plan for emergencies.
Health Direct
Information about natural disasters and how you can prepare for one.
Services Australia
Australian Government
Information outlining how you can prepare for a natural disaster, such as a fire, flood or storm.
The Salvation Army
Planning for the unplanned: Are you ready for a natural disaster? is a guidebook that includes real stories from people and supports you to develop your own plans for being financially ready for a natural disaster.
Apps
Australian Red Cross
Get Prepared is an easy-to-use app that helps you create a personal emergency plan, so you can take care of yourself, your loved ones, and what's important to you.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
Government of Western Australia
The My Bushfire Plan app is a bushfire preparedness tool, providing you with one place to prepare, store, share and update your bushfire plan, anytime and from any device.
Telcos
Telstra
How to prepare and stay connected during natural disaster
Information providing tips for preparing for a natural disaster.
What Telstra is doing to support individuals and communities during disasters
Information about how Telstra is helping to support the community before, during and after a natural disaster.
Debt Support
Banks
ANZ
1800 149 549 (within Australia)
Disaster relief and support
Information to help customers and communities get back on their feet after experiencing a natural disaster.
Australian Banking Association
Commonwealth Bank
1800 314 695
Emergency Assistance – Monday to Friday 8:00am – 9:00pm (AEST), Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm (AEST)
Commonwealth Bank's Customer Support Service provides confidential and independent counselling to its customers. This service offers three free telephone counselling sessions for emotional or psychological support. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Customer Support Service
1300 360 793
Commonwealth Bank
Indigenous Customer Assistance Line (ICAL)
1800 700 682
Monday to Friday 9am till 7pm AEST and Saturday 10am till 2pm AEST.
Alternatively, you can email ical@cba.com.au with (Natural Disaster) as the subject line as these will take priority.
National Australia Bank
1300 661 114 (within Australia)
NAB Assist Team – Monday to Friday 8:00am – 8:00pm (AEST), Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm (AEST)
Information and support options for customers impacted by natural disasters.
P&N Bank
1300 591 276
Financial Hardship Team – Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm AWST
Information for customers facing financial hardship.
Westpac Bank
1800 067 497 (within Australia)
Westpac Assist Team – Monday to Friday 8:30am – 7:30pm (AEST), Saturday 9:30am – 6:00pm (AEST)
Information about disaster support and hardship assistance for Westpac customers.
Other
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.
If you use Telstra or Vodafone mobile networks, you can access Ask Izzy on your phone even if you don’t have credit or access to WIFI.
Grant Payment Relief
Western Australia
Department of Communities
Government of Western Australia
WA State Government assistance may be available to you. For further information, contact the Disaster Response Hotline.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Government of Western Australia
Recovery advice including current recovery assistance and hazard recovery information.
Foodbank
1800 979 777
9:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday (closed on public holidays).
If you need food support call the Emergency Relief and Food Access Service.
Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund
Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund
Provides financial assistance to individuals in Western Australia experiencing hardship due to disasters or emergencies declared by the government or deemed eligible by the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund Board.
National
Department of Home Affairs – Disaster Assist
Australian Government
Department of Home Affairs – Disaster Assist
This website provides information on payments and allowances you may be able to apply for if you are involved in an event that is declared a disaster. There is also a useful communication factsheet.
Services Australia
Australian Government
Federal assistance is available for people directly affected by a natural disaster event such as a fire, storms or floods in disaster declared areas. This website provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on natural disaster events.
Support Services
The following support services can provide assistance if you have been impacted by a disaster.
Legal Services
Financial Rights Legal Centre
A specialist legal centre providing advice for anyone in financial distress. There is specific information for those impacted by a severe weather event.
Mental Health
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue offers supports and services to people in Australia, including how to cope after a traumatic event.
Blue Knot Foundation
Blue Knot is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. This site includes resources on understanding trauma, it’s impacts and healing strategies.
Lifeline
13 11 14
Lifeline Australia provides 24/7 crisis support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.
Lifeline – Bushfire Recovery Line
13 43 57 or 13HELP
Lifeline helpline specifically for bushfire recovery and other traumatic extreme weather events.
Mental Health Australia
Mental Health Australia
Mental Health Australia is the peak, national non-government organisation promoting the interests of the mental health sector. This resource includes information on trauma informed practices.
Phoenix Australia
Phoenix Australia has a comprehensive Disaster Mental Health Hub. This Hub includes information, resources and training for professionals who support individuals and communities experiencing the mental health impacts of disasters.
Small Business
Rural West
A free, confidential, mobile and independent financial counselling service for regional small businesses or primary producers experiencing financial hardship across WA.
Small Business Debt Helpline
1800 413 828
9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday AEST
The Small Business Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit that helps small business owners and sole traders in financial difficulty. The service is free, independent and confidential.
General
Australian Red Cross
Practical emergency management resources to use before, during and after emergencies.
Department of Communities
Government of Western Australia
1800 032 965
9.00am-4.00pm Monday - Friday
This help line has been established to outline assistance that may be available following a natural disaster.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Government of Western Australia
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Recovery advice, available assistance and resources.
