Disaster preparation, relief and support for carers

Published on 22 January, 2026

Natural disasters such as fire or flood can have a significant impact on our homes, lives and toyour caring role. Regular support services, including respite, may be impacted by events or be unavailable. Carers Victoria encourages you to reach out to us through our advisory line (1800 514 845), or to your local services to seek support.

An excellent resource is the VicEmergency website.

You can download the VicEmergency App and also:

Set up a watch zone for your area
Make sure you understand the warnings and what they mean.
Tune into your local radio emergency broadcaster.
To stay informed you can call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. If you don't speak English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Key disaster resources:

Victorian Disaster Recovery Hotline 1800 560 760
Emergency Recovery Victoria | vic.gov.au
Relief and Recovery - VicEmergency

Useful links:

CFA's page on Fire Safety for the Care Sector
DFFH's Emergency Management resources
Better Health's extreme heat guide
Australian Red Cross information on preparing for extreme heat and heatwaves
Raising Children Disaster preparation and recovery: family guide

Getting support

If you are providing unpaid support to a family member or friend who has been affected by the recent fires, you may be finding your caring role harder to manage right now. Alongside emergency services that focus on safety, housing and finances, you may need extra support to keep caring for the person you look after.

This includes help to:

Keep caring even if your usual routines are disrupted or you need to move temporarily
Look after the person you care for while accessing emergency or recovery services
Find short-term or emergency support including respite
Navigate multiple services at the same time.

Carers Victoria and Carer Gateway can help carers understand the support available and how to access it when needed.

About Carers Victoria

Carers Victoria supports unpaid carers across Victoria – people who look after a family member or friend with disability, chronic illness, mental illness, aged-related needs or other care requirements.

Carers Victoria can help carers:

Understand what supports are available to you as a carer
Navigate services in your local area
Access carer specific support during recovery
Find practical support when caring responsibilities are affected by an emergency
Access information, advice and referrals when needed.

Carers Victoria – Statewide Advisory Line
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
1800 514 845
www.carersvictoria.org.au

About Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway is a free national service that supports carers including during emergencies and recovery.

Carer Gateway can help with:

Emergency relief and practical support
Support while carers are accessing emergency or recovery services
Help to make sure the person you care for continues to be supported
Referrals to other local supports

Carer Gateway
1800 422 737
www.carergateway.gov.au

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Find out more

Download our Fire Support flyer (PDF) here

The image shows the Aboriginal flag, with a horizontal black stripe on top, a red stripe on the bottom, and a yellow circle in the center.

The image is of the Torres Strait Islander flag, featuring green horizontal stripes at the top and bottom, a blue field with a white Dhari (headdress) in the center, and a white star beneath the Dhari.

Carers Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which our offices are located, the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the continuing connection to land and waters. Sovereignty was never ceded.