Banking, Finance, Insurance, Legal, Superannuation & Tax
Banking
ANZ
- 13 13 14 - ANZ is providing cash assistance for mortgage, and
business and agricultural lending customers whose homes or property
have been destroyed by the devastating bushfires in Victoria. A $10,000
cash grant will be available for mortgage, and business and
agricultural lending customers who have suffered full loss of property,
amenities, stock or machinery. Customers who have suffered partial loss
or serious damage of property, amenities, stock or essential farm items
will receive a $5,000 grant.
Bendigo Bank - 1300 366 666 - For customers affected by the bushfires.
HSBC - 1300 308 008 - Will provide assistance to customers affected by the bushfires.
Commonwealth Bank - 13 22 21 - A special emergency assistance package will assist residents across Victoria impacted by the bushfires.
NAB - 13 66 22 - For customers affected by the bushfires.
St George - 1300 309 907 (9am - 9pm) - Extended opening hours to assist customers affected by bushfires.
Westpac - Disaster Relief Package for affected customers.
- Westpac Telephone Banking - 13 20 32
- Business Direct - 13 27 72
Finance
Financial Planning Association of Australia - 1800 626 393 - Offering a Pro Bono Referral Service to Australians affected by the Victorian Bushfires.
Insurance
AAMI - 13 22 44 - AAMI customers affected by the bushfires.
Allianz - 13 1000 - Allianz customers affected by bushfires.
AMP - 13 14 37 - AMP customers affected by the bushfires.
Apia - Apia customers affected by bushfires call 13 50 50.
CGU - 1300 550 194 - Emergency assistance for CGU Insurance customers.
CommInsure - 13 24 20 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Financial Ombudsman Service
(FOS) - 1800 337 444 - The Financial Ombudsman Service has established
a dedicated hotline for all bushfire and flood victims seeking help and
information on insurance or other financial issues experienced as a
result of the disasters. Please call 1800 337 444 and your call will be
put directly through to our disaster helpline team.
GIO - 13 10 10 - GIO customers affected by the bushfires.
HBA - 13 12 43 - Provides information for customers who have been affected by the bushfires.
Insurance Council of Australia
- Call 1300 728 228 for any policyholders who may be having difficulty
finding their insurance documents, or relatives and friends of people
affected by the bushfires and have queries about who their insurer may
be.
Medibank
- 13 23 31 - Medibank will waive health insurance premiums for the
remainder of 2008-09 financial year, for members who have lost their
homes as a result of the Victorian bushfires.
RACV
- 13 19 03 - RACV members affected by the bushfires. Members can lodge
claims for their lost or damaged cars and homes, as well as receive
immediate support, beginning with $500 Coles Myer vouchers and cash
deposits of $5,000 in their bank accounts, as well as emergency
accommodation.
Suncorp - 13 11 55 - For Victorians impacted by the bushfires.
Westpac Insurance Claims - 1300 369 989
Legal Advice
Law Institute of Victoria - Free legal advice.
State Trustees - 9667 6073 - Advice on funeral arrangements, tracing next of kin, wills and enduring powers of attorney.
Superannuation
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
- 1300 131 060 - Superannuation fund members affected by bushfires.
Provides information about early access to superannuation funds on
compassionate grounds.
Taxation
Australian Taxation Office
- 13 11 42 (business hours) - If you've been affected by bushfires
don't worry about tax matters, the Tax Office will work with you to
help you meet any upcoming obligations.
Australian Taxation Office - Business
- Provides information specific to bushfires on insurance, lost or
damaged property, lost tax records, charitable assistance and
employers.
Education
Kindergarten Closures (DEECD) - List of kindergartens closed.
School Closures - Government schools (DEECD) - List of latest school closures and re-openings.
School Closures - Catholic schools (Catholic Education Office Melbourne)
Resources for Teachers, Carers and Parents (DEECD)
In response to the current bushfire crisis, a series of resources has
been developed and is available to help provide practical, immediate
support for parents, schools and early childhood communities during
this very stressful and emotional time.
Financial Assistance
The Victorian Government has announced assistance for businesses and
primary producers directly impacted by the 2009 bushfires, whether
through loss of property or tools of trade. More information at Business Victoria.
The assistance package comprises:
- A one-off grant of up to $5,000 for immediate
repair and restoration costs, with additional funds available up to a
total of $25,000 for eligible businesses with significant damage
- Free access to professional business advice and counselling services
- A low-cost loan scheme through the Rural Finance Corporation.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) (Centrelink) - 180 2211 - Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claim form available.
Funeral/Memorial Assistance (Centrelink) - Claim form available.
Personal Hardship Grant: Emergency Grant
(DHS) - An emergency grant of up to $1,067 is available per household
for immediate and urgent accommodation, food and personal needs. The
amount of each grant is based on need.
Temporary living and re-establishment grants
(DHS) - A temporary living and re-establishment grant are available to
people whose principal place of residence has been made uninhabitable
by bushfire. These grants are means tested.
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
(DHS) - Currently provides a Compassion and Bereavement Payment of
$10,000. This will help families with immediate needs such as funeral
and travel-related costs. Claims must be made before 31 December 2009.
Grants
Grants for Fire Affected Communities
(DPCD) - A range of new and existing grants are available to support
volunteers and communities affected by the Victorian Bushfire Crisis.
- Emergency Volunteer Support Grants
- Bushfire Relief (DPCD) - Funding up to $20,000 for community
not-for-profit organisations in Victoria providing volunteers to work
in fire-affected communities.
- Victorian Volunteer Small Grants
- Bushfire Relief (DPCD) - Funding up to $5,000 for community
not-for-profit organisations in Victoria providing volunteers to work
in fire-affected communities.
- Special Grants to
Neighbourhood Houses in Affected Areas (DPCD) - Funding up to $10,000.
Neighbourhood Houses in bushfire-affected communities will receive a
one-off grant to help with emergency relief and recovery activities.
Affected houses will be contacted by the department shortly.
- Community
Recovery in Bushfire Affected Communities - this grant is for
communities with existing Community Building Initiatives and other
areas as required. Relevant locations will be contacted by 20 February
2009.
Transport Accident Commission
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has set up a dedicated team to manage enquiries from people affected by the bushfires.
We can help bushfire victims in the following ways:
- Cover medical costs and other services if you have been involved in a transport accident during the fires
- Provide compensation if you have lost a family member due to a transport accident during the fires.
The TAC encourages bushfire victims to contact the TAC on 1800 332 556
(toll-free outside Melbourne) or 1300 654 329 to lodge a claim.
There are TAC representatives on the ground at bushfire relief centres who can also help you lodge a claim.
For more information on the TAC and the support it can provide, please visit http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/
Health
Counselling
Coroners' Office - 9684 4396 (Business hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm), 1800 136 852 (Freecall)
GriefLine - 9596 7799 - Provides
caring and compassionate listening in times of sadness and grief.
Operates every day of the year, from 12 noon to 3:00 am.
Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800 - 24 hour telephone and online counselling for children and young people.
Lifeline - 13 11 14 - Providing care in times of crisis.
Nurse-On-Call - 1300 606 024 - Health and counselling line.
Parentline
- 13 22 89 - Provides a statewide telephone counselling service to
parents and carers of children aged from birth to eighteen years.
Fact Sheets
A range of fact sheets are available from the DHS Environmental Health
website to help you prepare and understand the health issues associated
with bushfire. The following fact sheets are available:
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Bushfire Recovery Information 
