For those in regions impacted by the national disaster

Not sure how many people are aware of this - i know when you're living through something, you don't tend to focus on this sort of thing - but anyway, the government have created a couple of disaster payments

the first is a one of grant if you've been directly impacted in some way. for example
- unable to get out of your home for 24+ hours
- unable to get home for 24+ hours
- loss of essential services (gas, electricity, water) for 48+ hours
- home destroyed
- home seriously damaged

the second is sort of like an income support payment for people whose work/income had been directly impacted by the disaster - essentially if the floods have dropped your income, you may be eligible for the income recovery subsidy until you return to work (or up to 13 weeks, depends on which comes first) - if you hit the end of the 13 week period, you would be able to apply for newstart/parenting payment.

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/interne...ther_dec10.htm

the link to info on the centrelink website