As bushfires continue to impact communities across northern Victoria, banks and governments have activated a range of relief measures – from direct cash grants and loan repayment relief to emergency hardship payments and counselling – aimed at helping households and businesses through the crisis and recovery.
NAB has activated Disaster Relief Grants and other support for customers affected by the Victorian bushfires, with $1,000 grants available for eligible NAB customers whose homes, properties or businesses have suffered major damage in Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield, and Murrindindi LGAs until 9 February.
NAB executive Belinda Mamet (pictured left) said the bank is focused on providing fast, practical support.
“These bushfires are having a devastating impact on families, businesses, and entire communities across northern Victoria,” Mamet said in a media release.
“We know people need help now, not later. That’s why we’re offering $1,000 Disaster Relief Grants to cover urgent costs like accommodation, clothing and food.
"We’ve also put in place a range of measures, including loan repayment deferrals and fee waivers, to ease financial pressure during this incredibly difficult time.”
Seven NAB branches – Benalla, Horsham, Mansfield, Nhill, Nagambie, Seymour, and Wallan – are temporarily closed and will reopen when it is safe to do so. Customers can apply for grants online or contact NAB’s hardship lines for personal and business customers.
NAB also warned customers to be alert to scams, reminding them it will never send links in unexpected texts or ask for passwords or PINs.
ANZ has also launched a disaster relief package for customers affected by the Victorian bushfires, mirroring NAB’s move with a suite of financial hardship options designed to ease cashflow pressure.
The package includes short-term payment relief on home loans, credit cards, personal loans, and some business loans, along with fee waivers on business loan restructures and early access to term deposits.
“This is a critical time for communities as fires are impacting homes, businesses, and infrastructure across Victoria," ANZ general manager for Victoria, Kathleen Jahour (pictured right), said in a media release.
“Our support package offers impacted customers essential financial relief and support as they navigate uncertainty in these challenging conditions.
“As Victoria faces fire warnings across the state, with lightning and high winds continuing to pose further risks, the safety of our customers and team members remains our top priority. We continue to closely monitor the situation as it develops.”
Customers can access details of ANZ’s support and how to apply via its natural disaster support page or by calling ANZ’s dedicated financial hardship team. Customers with ANZ Home and Contents Insurance may also be eligible for emergency funds and temporary accommodation.
Alongside bank relief, the Albanese and Allan governments have jointly activated disaster assistance under the Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for bushfires that began on 7 January.
Support for Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield, and Murrindindi shires includes funding for emergency relief centres, personal and financial counselling, debris removal, restoration of essential public assets and counter disaster operations, with assistance able to be extended to other LGAs as conditions evolve.
Emergency relief payments are also available through Victoria’s Personal Hardship Assistance Program for eligible residents whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, or who had to evacuate from an evacuation warning area. Payments include $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to $2,380 per eligible family, to help cover essentials such as food, clothing, medication and accommodation.
“This is a crucial time for Victorians to be listening to the advice of emergency services, regularly checking for updates online or through media, and being ready to enact their emergency plans," said Kirsty McBain, federal emergency management minister, in a media release.
“The Albanese government understands the need to act urgently, which is why we have activated this assistance immediately.”
Victorian Emergency Services minister Vicki Ward said: “People in these communities are already feeling the significant effects of these bushfires, and we are doing everything we can to make sure they don’t need to worry about basic necessities like food, clothing or medication.”
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