Australian governments and insurers have outlined further recovery funding and claims initiatives across Queensland and Victoria following recent flooding and bushfire events, with a focus on primary producers, small businesses, infrastructure, and insurance coverage.
The Albanese and Crisafulli governments have jointly announced a further $26.6 million in assistance for communities affected by flooding in north, northwest, and central Queensland linked to the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji. The package, delivered under the Commonwealth–state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), is directed at long-term recovery rather than initial emergency response. It follows earlier funding measures, bringing total support from both levels of government for this event to more than $66 million.
The latest measures include an $11.32 million Primary Producer Support Package. The program provides what governments describe as “wrap-around care” for impacted farmers, including access to financial and human counselling, feral pest and locust management initiatives, and industry recovery and resilience officers. Small businesses are eligible for $9.98 million in Disaster Recovery Grants to support clean-up activities, repairs, and replacement of essential equipment and stock so that operations can continue or resume. A $4.26 million Mental Health Program will fund psychosocial and wellbeing initiatives across 15 local government areas in north, Far North, and northwest Queensland, targeting both affected communities and vulnerable residents.
In addition, a $1 million Community Relief Fund will support Isaac Regional Council’s clean-up and immediate recovery work, including disposal of debris, emergency works, and reconnection of essential services. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the package is intended to address both short-term and longer-term needs. “This funding will provide support to flooded communities that are hurting now and will set them up to recover and rebuild. These disaster packages will make sure flood affected Queenslanders can get back on their feet and build back stronger,” Albanese said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the event had affected a wide range of communities and industries. “From the terrible loss of more than 50,000 head of livestock and counting, to the inundation of homes in Clermont, the impacts from this flooding event have been felt far and wide across our state,” Crisafulli said. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the additional measures “build on the supports we’ve already activated, targeting a range of priorities that require immediate attention to keep communities functioning and safe.” Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said authorities would continue to “support the varied recovery needs in affected communities.”
In Victoria, recent government announcements have focused on restoring damaged transport corridors following the January 2026 bushfires. Almost $82 million has been allocated to repair state roads and public transport infrastructure to maintain key links for regional communities and businesses. Under the DRFA, up to $44 million in emergency works will be jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan governments, and the Allan government will provide a further $37 million. The works follow damage to pavements, roadside safety barriers, signage, and vegetation, as well as wear from heavy machinery used during tree clearing and fire response.
Planned activities include repairing wire rope and guard rails, removing fallen trees and debris, maintaining signage, and undertaking pavement repairs across important regional and freight routes. Authorities have identified the Murchison–Violet Town Road as a priority route to maintain its role as a detour for the Hume Highway. Additional works are being prepared for the Murray Valley Highway, Benalla–Tocumwal Road, and Shelley–Walwa Road.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said: “This funding supports repairs to vital infrastructure, helping communities on the road to recovery.” Victorian Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery Vicki Ward described transport repairs as part of early recovery. “Getting on with the job of repairing critical transport infrastructure is an important part of the vital first-steps in ensuring bushfire-affected communities can rebuild and recover. We will always stand with Victorian communities on their journey to recovery,” Ward said. Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said authorities are focused on keeping transport routes operating. “We have seen the impact these fires have had – and are continuing to have on the network, and we are getting on with making sure these critical routes keep people on the move,” Horne said.
Alongside government activity, Achmea Farm Insurance has reported an increase in claims following recent weather and fire events, including bushfires in Victoria, flash flooding along the Great Ocean Road, and flooding in northern Queensland. Claims reported to the insurer include damage to property, fencing, and livestock, as well as flood-related damage to machinery and electrical systems. Achmea Farm Insurance CEO Emma Thomas said the insurer’s in-house claims team began working with affected clients as conditions developed. “As these catastrophes began to unfold, our claims team immediately started working with impacted clients,” Thomas said.
According to the insurer, its farm insurance specialists live and work in many of the affected areas and have been contacting clients to assist with claim lodgement, access to support, and initial recovery steps. Thomas said the business is also observing non-physical impacts on clients. “Disasters like bushfires and floods are not just about physical losses; they also impact mental health and wellbeing. That’s why we start by checking in with our clients; asking what they need right now, and then progress the claims process at a pace that suits them,” Thomas said.
Thomas noted that many farmers had implemented pre-season risk measures, such as creating firebreaks, clearing gutters and drains, moving stock, and sandbagging, but that recent conditions had tested these preparations. She referred to “the extreme heat and winds in Victoria quickly intensifying the fire danger, and the heavy rainfall in Northern Queensland from ex-tropical cyclone Koji causing major flooding.”
Recent events have again drawn attention to underinsurance in the agricultural sector, an issue closely watched by farm insurers and brokers. Achmea Farm Insurance is encouraging farmers to review their insurance arrangements during the current season, rather than waiting for renewal or a claim event. The insurer recommends that clients:
“In our experience, taking a moment now to review your insurance can help reduce the likelihood of underinsurance and stay prepared for the unexpected,” Thomas said. She added that Achmea Farm Insurance’s stated purpose is “to keep farmers farming, because their work is essential to producing food for Australia and globally. That commitment drives everything we do. We will work closely with our clients to help them recover and rebuild, so they can return to doing what they do best.” For insurance professionals, these developments illustrate how public funding, infrastructure repair programs, claims management, and coverage adequacy are intersecting as bushfire, storm, and flood risks persist through the season.
