Disaster assistance

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 Services Australia. 

Other financial support available:

UQ Financial Assistance

UQ provides financial assistance for students experiencing urgent and unexpected financial problems that are affecting your studies. Students can apply for financial assistance here UQ Financial Assistance. 

Utility and service providers

Looking after your emotional wellbeing

Natural disasters can affect 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. 

• 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 referrals. 
• Multicultural Connect: 1300 079 020 
  • This is a free state-wide service for people from multicultural backgrounds to access support in their own language. 
• Australian Red Cross: practical help and resources to use before, during and after emergencies 
• Coping and returning home after a crisis 
• Maintaining wellbeing in the face of long-term stress 
• How can I help in disasters and 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 

Natural disasters 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 to look out for 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 

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. 

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 
• DVConnect Mensline: Call 1800 600 636 
  • This is a free helpline for anyone identifying as a male in Queensland. 
• 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 
• 1800 RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, Webchat, or Find services near you 
  • 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 

Advisers can help you navigate your studies and workload during difficult times. Book an appointment here.

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.

Disaster recovery information in your language

Information about natural disasters in Queensland and how to prepare for them is available in a range of languages. See the translated fact sheets here.

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 AskIzzy 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.

Volunteering 

• Queensland volunteering 
• Tips for volunteers 

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