FAQs about disaster funding activations

As defined in the Disaster Management Act (2003), a disaster is a serious disruption in a community, caused by the impact of an event, that requires a significant coordinated response by the State and other entities to help the community recover from the disruption.

In accordance with Section 69 of Queensland's Disaster Management Act (2003), the Minister for Police and Emergency Services or the Premier may declare a disaster situation for the State, or part of the state, if satisfied –

• (a) a disaster has happened, is happening or is likely to happen, in the state and
• (b) it is necessary, or reasonably likely to be necessary, for a district disaster coordinator or a declared disaster officer to exercise declared disaster powers to prevent or minimise any of the following –
  • loss of human life
  • illness or injury to humans
  • property loss or damage
  • damage to the environment.

With the approval of the Minister, a District Disaster Coordinator may also declare a disaster situation for the district, or a part of it, if satisfied of the above criteria.

Extraordinary powers are granted to emergency services personnel for the protection of the public. This can include extra powers to move people along, enter property and evacuate people.

The  Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a joint funding initiative of the Australian and state governments to provide disaster relief and recovery payments and infrastructure restoration to help communities recover from the effects of natural disasters and terrorist acts. In Queensland, this program is managed on a whole‑of‑government basis by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).

Find out more about the Minister responsible for the QRA.

No.

No. DRFA activation is independent of a disaster being declared. 

No. The DRFA is a mechanism to provide financial assistance to impacted communities and is not dependent on the activation of the QDMA.

In Queensland, the DRFA is activated by the Minister responsible for the QRA, and can only happen in response to a disaster deemed eligible under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.

A DRFA-eligible disaster must meet the criteria set by the Australian Government under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018. To meet criteria, a coordinated multi-agency response is required and eligible expenditure must exceed the Small Disaster Criterion (SDC) of $240,000, in addition to meeting any local government-specific trigger points.

No. An event can be eligible for DRFA activation even if there is no disaster declaration.

No. Some events are neither declared as a disaster, nor eligible for DRFA assistance under the Australian Government criteria.

The definition of an eligible disaster is a natural disaster or terrorist act for which:

• a coordinated multi-agency response was required, and
• state expenditure exceeds the Commonwealth's small disaster criterion, which is currently set at $240,000.

DRFA eligible disasters include:

• bushfire
• cyclone
• earthquake
• flood
• landslide
• meteorite strike
• storm
• storm surge
• terrorist act
• tornado
• tsunami.

The QRA assists local and state governments address the Australian Government determined criteria required for DRFA activation. If a local government area has been activated and the criteria has been met, state and federal funding may be provided to reimburse eligible expenditure incurred.

DRFA funding can be used to reimburse local and state government agencies for the cost of repairing damage to essential public assets directly caused by a DRFA-eligible disaster that is outside their normal budgetary operations.

Funding can also be used to reimburse eligible expenditure incurred while undertaking activities to alleviate personal hardship and distress. Individuals, non-profit organisations, primary producers and small business may also be eligible for DRFA loans and grants.

Businesses and primary producers are encouraged to contact their industry association to explore specific support to meet their needs. 

There are also numerous other funding and support opportunities from state, federal and non-government organisations.

These include:

• State Disaster Relief Arrangements (SDRA) - The SDRA is an all hazards relief program that is 100 per cent state funded and covers natural and non-natural disasters. The purpose of the SDRA is to address personal hardship and community response needs for disaster events where the DRFA is unable to be activated.
• Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) - Property owners impacted by a disaster may be eligible for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) support measure, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA). To obtain an IDSP declaration, primary producers should contact the DAF customer service centre to arrange an IDSP inspection by a DAF officer and application assistance. 
• Small Business Disaster Recovery – Business Queensland has information on financial assistance and other support services available to small businesses severely impacted by a natural disaster, and also provides advice and tools to prepare.
• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance - The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is a short-term income support payment to assist individuals who can demonstrate their income has been affected as a direct result of a disaster. When available, DRA assists employees, small business persons and farmers who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster event. The DRA is administered by the Australian Government Department of  Services Australia. 
• BlazeAid - BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia to help rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. 
• GIVIT - GIVIT is a national not-for-profit organisation connecting those who have with those who need, in a private and safe way.
• As part of its core business, the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts works with external providers to assist individuals impacted by small disaster events. Phone 13 74 68.

More information on financial and support services available for Queenslanders impacted by natural disasters can also be found at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.