Use this guide to find support and plan what you need to do if you've lost your home in a bushfire. For more information, including our Disaster Assistance Finder, see Bushfire customer care service.
Look after your health and stay safe
Resources to keep you updated, healthy and safe.
Stay updated
For the latest NSW bushfires information, you can:
- monitor your local radio stations
- visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website
- call the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or use the Hearing and speech impairment contacts
Emergency services
To report an unattended fire or emergency, call:
- Triple Zero (000)
- TTY – 106.
Traffic, road closures and public transport
- www.livetraffic.com
- Live Traffic NSW App (iPhone)
- Live Traffic NSW App (Android)
- call 132 701
- transportnsw.info.
Bushfire registration
If you've been impacted by the fires, register with Register. Find. Reunite. This Red Cross service finds and reunites family and friends after an emergency.
Returning home safely
Air quality
Medications and prescriptions
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Find somewhere to stay
Bushfire Housing Assistance Service
Anglicare
Care for animals
Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline
Charles Sturt University
RSPCA
University of Sydney
WIRES
Replace lost documents
Information on how to replace your important documents.
Birth, Marriage, Change of Name certificates
Citizenship documents
Election enrolment
Family law documents
If your divorce order, current orders or other family law documents have been lost or destroyed in the bushfires, you can get a replacement copy at no charge at a family law registry. Visit the Federal Circuit Court of Australia’s website for more information.
Fishing licences
If your current recreational fishing licence has been lost or destroyed in the bushfires, it can be replaced at no charge by calling 02 4424 7499 or emailing recfish.licensing@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Medicare card
NSW Fair Trading licences, permits and certificates
SafeWork NSW licences, permits and certificates
Vehicle registrations and licences
Vessel registrations, boat and PWC licences
Help with insurance claims
Most policies cover bushfires, but you should contact your insurance provider to check your level of cover as well as waiting periods and exclusions.
Support
- ASIC's Moneysmart offers information on natural disasters and your home insurance.
- Insurance Council of Australia - disaster insurance hotline available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Help with making claims, general queries and making a complaint.
- Insurance Law Service provides assistance with insurance claims after bushfires.
- Legal Aid NSW offers free legal advice if you are affected by bushfires.
- NSW Legal Assistance Forum provides plain language law resources relating to bushfires.
- The NSW Police Force has an online bushfire report form you can complete, if you need an official record of bushfire damage.
Get financial support
Information on the financial assistance, such as payments, grants and counselling, that are available to those impacted by bushfires.
Disaster relief payments
Australian Red Cross
Financial counselling services
Financial institutions
Long service levy exemption – building and construction
NSW Government stamp duty relief
NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)
Salvation Army
Clearing your property
Clean-up fact sheets
Fences
Get mental health support
Natural disasters and traumatic events impact much more than just the physical environment. They can have a profound effect on the mental health and well-being of affected communities.
24/7 telephone services
Face-to-face services
Free counselling
Online services and resources
Medicare rebates for treatment services
Telco support
Telcos are offering mobile phone charge waivers and other assistance.
Mobile phone charge waivers
Optus
Telstra
Vodafone
Transport – refunds, fee waivers, concessions
Tolls
Number plates
Motor vehicle stamp duty and fines
Registration and licences
Registration and licensing concessions and refunds will be offered to customers if their vehicle/vessel or other relevant documentation has been lost, damaged or destroyed during the NSW bushfires.
For more information, see Replace lost documents.
Destroyed vessels
Rebuilding
If you're planning to rebuild on land that is designated as bushfire prone you have a legal obligation to consider the potential of bushfire and meet the requirements of Planning for Bush Fire Protection (PBP) and AS3959.
The NSW Rural Fire Service provides guides on:
- the planning and development process
- building after bushfire:
- your level of risk
- development application and complying development
- protection measures.