Who can apply
You can apply if:
- the place you were living in was significantly damaged or destroyed and has been categorised as uninhabitable
- the damage was caused by a bushfire in Victoria during the 2025-26 summer
- the property was your main place of residence at the time.
No means test applies. You can apply even if you:
- are uninsured or underinsured
- have received other government support
- have not been able to live in the property since the bushfires.
Renters can apply. Only one application per household will be assessed.
Business owners, sole traders and primary producers can apply if the place they trade from is also their main place of residence.
What you will need
- Your bank details, so we can deposit the money in your preferred account.
- The address of your property, so we can confirm that it is uninhabitable
- 2 documents that prove you were living at the property. This could be:
- a photograph of your driver's licence
- a copy of a utility bill
- a bank statement
- another document with your name and address on it.
If you think you don't have these documents, please email VERRF@justice.vic.gov.au a list of documents that you do have so we can explore alternative solutions. Do not send the actual documents unless a VERRF officer asks for them.
Apply
If you don’t want to apply online, download and email the following form to VERRF@justice.vic.gov.au:
Need help with your application?
Email VERRF@justice.vic.gov.au. Someone from our team will respond to your query as quickly as possible.
If you can't email us, call the VERRF contact centre on 1800 837 733 between 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday.
The contact centre will take your details and provide them to the application assessment team, who will call you back.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else?
No, but you can help someone with their application.
The name of the applicant must match the name on any evidence provided as well as the bank account information.
If you are a primary carer for someone and they need help providing the right information, contact verrf@justice.vic.gov.au to discuss further.
How will my personal information be used and stored?
All sensitive information (including proof of identity, bank details and any other identifying information) collected by the Department of Justice and Community Services (DJCS) will be handled in accordance with the requirements in the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, the Health Records Act 2001 and the Public Records Act 1973.
With your consent (through the application form), DJCS may verify key information (through sharing of your name and address only) with local councils, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), other areas within DJCS or another government department to confirm whether your residence has been deemed uninhabitable due to the bushfires.
If you have any questions or concerns about how your information will be used or stored please contact VERRF@justice.vic.gov.au.
How and when will payments be made?
Applications will be reviewed as quickly as we can. Payments will be deposited as soon as we can confirm your eligibility.
We anticipate that all payments will be completed by 1 June 2026.
Payments will be deposited into the bank account you provide in the application form. Only one payment per household will be provided. The person who applies is responsible for distributing the funds to other people that were living at the property at the same time.
Delays may occur if we need more information. If this happens, we may need to consult with local councils, the Department of Fairness, Families and Housing (DFFH) or other areas within DJCS to confirm the details you have provided. We may also reach out to you directly.
Other emergency support is still available
A range of local providers are connected with GIVIT that can help replace goods or provide access to support services. We have already provided GIVIT with $250,000 to support the relief and recovery efforts across impacted communities.
For more information, visit the GIVIT website.
The VicEmergency Relief and Recovery website lists other places where you can seek financial and in-kind support.
Contact us
To provide further information or speak to someone further about your application please email VERRF@justice.vic.gov.au and someone will call you during business hours.
The VERRF contact centre cannot discuss details of your individual application.
About the fund
These funds have been generously donated by the Victorian community to support impacted communities recover from these bushfires and will continue to assist with meeting unplanned costs such as the purchase of essential items such as clothing or personal items, fuel and maintaining generators on properties, equipment and materials for livestock or even the replacement of tools and small equipment.
Donations are made to the Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation (VERRF).
VERRF is a charitable trust, supported by the State Government of Victoria. We give donations independently of government. All funds raised support relief and recovery programs not otherwise fully met through government assistance. VERRF forms part of the government’s sector-wide response to disasters of state significance. We work alongside Victoria’s emergency response and recovery organisations and the not-for-profit sector to support individuals and communities affected by these disasters.
Visit our website for more information about the Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation.
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