Colac Otway Fire Event - Recovery Resources

Livestock

Farmers who want to check on their animals can now lodge a request directly with Agriculture Victoria (phone 1800 226 226) and we will work with the local fire incident controller to assess the request and determine the earliest and safest way for them to gain access to their properties.

If fires have affected your property – including dead or injured animals, crop loss or damage, or fodder and water needs – you can report it online. Your information will help us report on impacts and inform recovery supports.

• Online Assessment Form: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires
• Alternatively, farmers impacted by fires with any animal welfare needs can also call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 (Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone). 

Business Victoria

Support, services and information for businesses affected by and recovering from Victorian bushfires can vary based on the specific nature and location of the event.

Visit Business Victoria's Recovering from a Bushfire online resource page: Recovering from a bushfire | Business Victoria

Primary Producer Recovery Grants

An initial $40 million in grants of up to $75,000 will be provided to eligible primary producers, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises.

Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of stock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations.

Grants will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at Grants | Rural Finance

Regional Investment Corporation

Farmers may be able to access low-interest loans through the Commonwealth Government’s Regional Investment Corporation (RIC).

More information about the low interest loans process is available from the Regional Investment Corporation. Call 1800 875 675, email info@ric.gov.au or visit ric.gov.au

Business Recovery Advisory Service and Small Business Financial Counselling

Businesses in impacted local government areas can access one-on-one, confidential support from two free services:

• Business Victoria’s Business Recovery Advisory Service: Experienced Business Recovery Advisers can help business owners to navigate and access the available supports and plan for long-term recovery.

• Small Business Financial Counselling: Specialist financial counsellors can help small businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship.

Details about each service, including the eligibility criteria, are on the Business Victoria website. 

Useful information is also available on the Recovering from a bushfire page which will include updated Fact Sheets.

The services are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for the Victorian bushfires.

Fencing

Eligible property owners may get support to repair fencing if:

• firefighting or disaster response teams brought about the damage, or
• the fence is on the boundary of National Parks, State Parks or State Forests.

In most cases, fences not on the boundary of parks or those covered by insurance won’t qualify for support.

To find out if your damage is eligible for support, you can contact DEECA on 136 186.

State Government Support

The State Government has rolled out recovery support, including Emergency Relief and Disaster Recovery payments, support with emergency accommodation and insurance cover, counselling and social recovery.

For a full list of resources currently available please visit January 2026 Victorian bushfires | vic.gov.au

Commonwealth Bank

You may be able to access a range of tailored support options if you or your business are impacted by a natural disaster or other unforeseen event. Support is available for individuals and business customers. For more information visit: Emergency Assistance - CommBank

Colac Area Health Financial Counselling

Colac Area Health has provided financial counselling to its local community for 35 years and employ highly experienced staff. Financial Counselling in a specialist para legal service. You can call the service on 5232 5100 or visit Financial Counselling - Colac Area Health

Colac Salvos Financial Counselling

The Salvation Army’s free and confidential financial counselling service, Moneycare, is available to support anyone who would like to improve their financial situation or is looking for help with budgeting their money. Whether you are feeling completely overwhelmed by debt, have been affected by a natural disaster or other financial crisis, or would just like some pointers to navigate the rising costs of living — we are here for you. For more information visit: Moneycare - Financial Counselling Services | The Salvation Army Australia

Rural Aid Australia

Rural Aidis also dedicated to supporting a stable future for our farmers to ensure they can keep providing food and fibre for all Australians.

We know asking for help isn’t always easy, but you’re not alone—we’re ready to support you.

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers free, confidential and independent financial support to farmers and small, related rural businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. The RFCS also offer free, confidential wellbeing counselling.

To connect with your closest service call 1300 771 741 or visit rfcsnetwork.com.au

Farmer Assistance Hotline

Contact the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 to find out about Australian Government support services available to farmers and rural communities.

Farm Household Allowance

Farmers in financial hardship may be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Farm Household Allowance (FHA), a fortnightly payment available for up to four years in a specific 10-year period.

For more information on the Farm Household Allowance, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au and search for ‘Farm Household Assistance’.

A rural financial counsellor can help farmers to understand eligibility and apply for the FHA.

Concessional Loans for Primary Producers

Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets.

This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.

Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at Rural Finance | Rural Finance

Prolonged Power Outage Payments

Eligible households who have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period will receive $2,380 per week for up to three weeks, helping families manage during this challenging time.

Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses, with full details available at January 2026 Victorian bushfires | vic.gov.au

Personal Hardship Assistance Program

Emergency relief payments are based on a fixed amount for each member of your household. The payment is not based on income.

You can apply for an emergency relief payment if:

• Your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires and you can’t live in it or
• your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area and you evacuated your property 

and you have unmet immediate relief needs.

Call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 to apply or visit an Emergency Relief Centre. Check if there’s one open near you at January 2026 Victorian bushfires | vic.gov.au

TIACS

TIACS is a professional mental health counselling service for tradies, truckies, farmers and blue-collar workers. TIACS removes the physical and financial barriers to accessing help through a simple text and call service directly to professional counsellors. Call or Text TIACS on 0488 846 988 or visit their website: TIACS - This is a Conversation Starter

Colac Area Health Counselling Services

Colac Area Health provides General Counselling for men and women aged 16 and older. The service is free and self-referrals are accepted. Session numbers are limited but negotiable according to need. Call 5232 5100 or visit General Counselling - Colac Area Health to get in touch.

headspace Colac

headspace Colac provides mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support to young people aged 12-25, and their families and friends. Call 5232 5520 or visit their website: headspace Colac Youth Mental Health Centre & Services

National Centre for Farmer Health

The National Centre for Farmer Health is supporting primary producers through initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing, including:

• Distribution of mental health resources and support information
• The Managing Stress on the Farm book, which explores the common causes of stressors on farms and offers practical ways to deal with them
• A new mental health hub with tailored mental health information and resources: farmerhealth.org.au/support-hub-victoria

If your property has been impacted by fire and you have urgent animal welfare needs, please contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

You can also report any dead or injured animals, crop loss or damage, or fodder and water needs online at Agriculture Victoria Bushfires | Emergency management | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria

Emergency Drinking Water

This page provides essential guidance on access and eligibility for emergency relief drinking water up to 20,000L for communities impacted by the Victorian fires that started January 2026.

Emergency Water Supply Points

Emergency Water Supply Points (EWSPs) provide access to water for emergency stock and domestic purposes. These EWSPs can include council bores, urban and rural standpipes and can have costs and conditions associated with access. For more information: Emergency water supply points

Essential Water Replacement

If essential water is taken from your land to fight fires, you can request for it to be replaced. If essential water supplies run out, Forest Fire Management Victoria will replace the water within 48 hours of your request, as long as it’s safe.

Please download and complete the form within three months of it being taken from your property.

Essential water replacement form

Email the completed form to emergency.recovery@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Water Tank Cleaning Rebate

Rebates are available for rural properties impacted by the Victorian 2026 bushfires.

If you are on a rural property and:

• rely on rainwater tanks for domestic use
• have disruption to safe drinking water
• are not connected to reticulated (town) water

The rebate supports cleaning roofs, tanks, and gutters to restore access to clean drinking water.

To check eligibility (up to $1,500) and criteria go to Recovery Water Tank Cleaning Rebates.

Support is for domestic drinking water needs, not agricultural, stock or garden purposes.