Disaster Assistance

Natural Disaster Emergency Response and Support

Updated: Tuesday 2 May 2023

Most of the time the weather in Queensland is beautiful, but we are sometimes prone to severe storms, particularly in Summer. It’s a good idea to make sure you are informed and prepared for any major incidents. You can find information about being storm-ready through Qld Fire and Emergency Services and ABC Emergency. You can also register for weather alerts through Brisbane City Council’s Severe Weather Alert service or Lockyer Valley Regional Council Early Warning Network for Gatton. In the event of severe weather or natural disasters with a widespread impact, UQ will communicate with you through email and text message. Information will also be available on this page, and across UQ Life social media channels.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a weather event or natural disaster in South East Queensland, UQ offers a range of support services to help.

Accommodation Support

UQ Emergency Accommodation

UQ can help to identify short-term crisis accommodation for students whose houses have been severely damaged or affected by natural disasters.

Contact Student Services to access this program: 3365 1704 (8am-5pm)

Brisbane Youth Service

Brisbane Youth Service provides housing support to young people, including visa holders and international students, aged 16-25, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Contact Brisbane Youth Service on (07) 3620 2400 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)

Emergency Temporary Accommodation

The Queensland Government is providing emergency housing facilities, which you can access here.

Renting information for natural disaster victims

It is important for students who are renting to understand their rights and responsibilities for a property following a natural disaster. If you have not yet contacted your real estate agent or landlord, it is imperative that you do so as soon as possible to discuss the damage to your property and alternative arrangements for housing if your accommodation has been severely impacted by flood waters. The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), who are the governing body for rental properties in Queensland, have a comprehensive Fact Sheet on their website for information on the rights and responsibilities of tenants following a natural disaster. You can find that information here.

Find out more at Tenants Queensland

Emergency Food

Financial Support

Services Australia

The Australian Government Department of Human Services provides help for people directly affected by natural disaster events, in disaster declared areas. During natural disaster events, the Queensland State Government and Federal Government may provide additional recovery grants. Availability and eligibility criteria vary, so read the information carefully to ensure it’s relevant to your circumstances.

Other financial support available:

UQ Financial Assistance

UQ provides financial assistance for students experiencing urgent and unexpected financial problems that are affecting your studies. Find out more about what’s available, eligibility and apply.

Utility and service providers

Utility and service providers such as electricity, phone and internet can often provide assistance packages and payment relief for customers impacted by a natural disaster. Contact your service provider to check what’s available.

Health and Wellbeing Support

Looking after your emotional wellbeing

Natural disasters, such as floods, are very disruptive and can be stressful. It is normal to have a range of feelings, and everyone will have a different response. Stress can affect our wellbeing in different ways, some common signs of stress may include:

Physical reactions

Fatigue
Sleep disruption
Heart palpitations
Headaches
Upset stomach, nausea
Muscle aches

Emotional reactions

Worry
Fear
Anger
Sadness
Irritability
Anxiety
Helplessness
Loneliness

Psychological reactions

Difficulty concentrating
Confusion
Poor memory
Difficulty making decisions

Social reactions

Withdrawing from friends and family
Relationship stress or breakdown

Behavioural reactions

Increased risk-taking behaviour
Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Being impacted by a natural disaster can affect us all in many different ways, including impacts on our study, work, living arrangements, finances, and relationships. What you and your loved ones have experienced is a personal event. This can be a very confusing and emotional time, with many of us still processing what is going on. If you feel you need additional support for your social and emotional wellbeing during this time, there are many services that can help.

While these feelings and reactions can be a normal stress response, if you are experiencing several of these together, or they are interfering with your ability to carry out daily activities, help is available and there are people you can talk to.

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
- Crisis support service is available 24/7. Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter over the phone, any time of the day or night
- Text is available from midnight to midnight (AEST). You'll be asked for some personal details, such as your age and location, but these are optional and you can choose to remain anonymous. You'll then be connected to a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter. You can text them anything that's on your mind - no matter how overwhelming, they are there to listen
Crisis Chat
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- National 24/7 telephone counselling support to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, people experiencing emotional or mental health issues
QLIFE: 1800 184 527
- QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral, available 3PM-midnight daily
Multicultural Connect: 1300 079 020
- This is a free state-wide service for people from multicultural backgrounds to access support in their own language, 9AM-4:30PM Monday-Friday
Australian Red Cross: practical help and resources to use before, during and after emergencies
Community Recovery Hotline: call 1800 173 349
- Information about financial support and government grants and how to apply
Salvation Army
- Emergency Relief Team: 1300 371 288
- Financial Counselling: 1800 722 363
- Financial assistance
- Headspace: How to help a friend impacted by a natural disaster

Safety at home

During times of stress and isolation, relationships can also be significantly impacted. If you feel you need support regarding your relationships or safety, there are many local and Australia-wide services here to help you:

DVConnect Womensline: Call 1800 811 811
- This is a free 24/7 crisis helpline for Queenslanders identifying as female and experiencing domestic and family violence
- Webchat is available from 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday
DVConnect Mensline: Call 1800 600 636
- This is a free helpline for anyone identifying as a male in Queensland available from 9AM-midnight 7 days a week
- Webchat is available from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
Sexual Assault Helpline: Call 1800 010 120
- A support service offering emotional support and referral pathways for anyone in Queensland who has been sexually assaulted or abused
- Webchat is available from 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday
1800 RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732
- The National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service is a 24/7 confidential service supporting people who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, or domestic or family violence
- Webchat is available 24/7
- Find services near you

Volunteering

Help others and take care of yourself

When you're volunteering during a disaster it's important to recognise that everyone will react in different ways. Below are a few practical tips about how you can help others and also take care of yourself.

Supporting people experiencing loss and change

Everyone has different reactions to a disaster or traumatic event
Don't assume that someone is ready for your offer of help
Talk to people affected by a disaster as you normally would
Ask if you are not sure about anything
If you see someone’s stress level or emotions are increasing, give them some space. Then consider directing them to professional advice or family support
It's common for people to feel frustrated and angry when they start to recover from a traumatic event. It’s important for you to stay calm and give them some space

Taking care of yourself

Be aware of the risks and dangers of your environment
Think about your own health and safety before helping others
Follow advice provided by authorities
As a volunteer you may witness traumatic events and experience a range of emotions. Take care of your emotional needs as well as your physical needs

Learning Support

Community Support

Queensland Government Disaster alerts

Whether you need help, or want to stay informed, this page offers all the important information you need. See: qld.gov.au/alerts

Queensland Government Disaster Information

The Queensland Government has a comprehensive website for information on emergency disaster relief and assistance. You can access the website here.

Community Recovery HotlLine

The Community Recovery hotline can assist with enquiries about how to recover from a natural disaster. Call 1800 173 349 to speak with someone about your circumstances.

Further Support

International Student Hotline

1800 QSTUDY: 1800 778 839

1800 QSTUDY is for students studying an international program at an accredited International Student Program school. This service provides support for students and their authorised contacts and Education Queensland International (EQI) homestay hosts, and responds to incidents that involve international students outside school hours.

Replacing lost or destroyed documents (Passports, Birth Certificates etc)

Domestic students and staff
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) will provide free replacement life event certificates to those people who have had their certificates lost, damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster area. The Queensland Government provides information on how to replace a range of documents here.
International students and overseas nationals
International students who have had their documentation (e.g. passports,etc) lost, damaged or destroyed should contact their home country's consular office or high commission.

AskIzzy.com

AskIzzy.com is an online directory connecting people who are in crisis with the services and support they need. The directory contains links to organisations, community groups and charities offering housing, food, facilities, legal assistance, and counselling services. You can find the online directory here.

Car damage

If your car has been damaged by flood waters, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to discuss the situation. If you haven’t already, make sure you have photos of the damage to provide to your insurer as evidence. Just as you shouldn’t drive through floodwaters, you shouldn’t drive a water-damaged car before consulting an expert first.

Sandbags

Sandbags are a useful tool for sealing cracks in doorways and creating another barrier between your home and flood waters.

Brisbane City Council provides pre-filled sandbags to residents and businesses in the Council area. Pre-filled sandbags are available for collection 24 hours a day, seven days a week from September to March and also when there is severe weather predicted (e.g. higher than normal high tides, heavy rainfall events). There are a number of sandbag collection points across the Brisbane area. Find locations and more information via the Brisbane City Council website.

During times of significant sustained and intense rain with widespread flooding, Lockyer Valley Regional Council may make sand and empty sand bags available for community members to come along and fill their own bags. Council will make public announcements through the media if they are making sand and sand bags available. Find out more via the Lockyer Valley Regional Council website.

Contact Student Services

We're here to help.

Drop in to Student Central (Building 42, St Lucia campus) for access to power, water and amenities.

student.services@uq.edu.au

1300 275 870 (Option 2) 8.30am—5pm

If it is out-of-hours and you require emergency assistance, please contact

Triple Zero (000) for off-campus emergencies
Campus Security (07 3365 3333) for on-campus emergencies

Out-of-hours you can also contact

UQ Counselling and Crisis Line (1300 851 998) (After hours)
ssdirector@uq.edu.au (emails will be responded to at a later stage)

Student Advisers

Student advisers can assist you with many of the situations you may be facing as a result of this disaster. They provide a professional, confidential service to both international and domestic students.

student.services@uq.edu.au

1300 275 870 (Option 2) 8.30am—5pm

Book an appointment

UQ Union Student Advocacy and Support (SAS)

If you require assistance and support in the coming weeks, please contact UQU Student Advocacy and Support (SAS). SAS is a free, independent, short term support service for all UQ students. They are equipped to help students with welfare and wellbeing issues, academic issues, legal issues and more.

Book an appointment