Joint media release with the Hon Lia Finocchiaro MP
The Albanese and Finocchiaro Governments have activated disaster recovery assistance to support households, primary producers, non-profit organisations and recovery operations in Central Australia following a severe storm on 12 October 2026.
The assistance, provided under joint the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, covers the Alice Springs Town Council, MacDonnell Regional Council and Central Desert Regional Council areas.
Eligible residents and organisations may be able to access:
- Essential household repairs: A one-off payment of up to $16,901 per household to assist eligible owner-occupiers with essential structural repairs to their disaster-damaged home where insurance will not meet the repair costs.
- Freight subsidies for primary producers: Assistance covering up to 50 per cent of eligible freight costs incurred as a result of the disaster, capped at $15,000, for items such transporting emergency fodder, replacement fencing or replacement animals.
- Asset assistance grants for non-profit organisations: Grants of up to $10,000 for organisations whose assets have been significantly damaged as a direct result of the disaster and which have no reasonable prospect of obtaining commercial finance.
The activated measures will also help Northern Territory Government agencies and local councils meet eligible costs associated with:
- Counter disaster operations: Exceptional relief and recovery measures within affected communities that go beyond the capacity of the Northern Territory Government or local councils. This may include activities to make damaged properties or threatened homes safe and habitable.
- Restoration of essential public assets: Repairing or restoring eligible essential public assets and infrastructure damaged directly by the disaster to their pre-disaster standard. This also includes immediate emergency works, such as debris removal and temporary repairs, to make eligible assets operational.
The arrangements also allow the Northern Territory Government to claim eligible costs for certain other disaster assistance measures undertaken by government agencies and local councils, including:
- Establishment and operation of evacuation and recovery centres.
- Personal and financial counselling services.
- Engagement of community recovery officers.
- Removal of disaster debris from residential properties.
The Northern Territory Government will administer the assistance through the relevant agencies, working with affected local councils.
Further information on eligibility and how to apply will be made available through securent.nt.gov.au.
For more information on disaster assistance and eligibility visit
Disaster Assist and
SecureNT – Financial help
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
“The Albanese Government has moved quickly to make this assistance available so those who have been impacted by this severe storm get the support they need to recover.
“This joint funding will help local recovery efforts get underway as quickly as possible.
“We continue to stand ready to support Territorians as we move into the disaster season.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro:
“The severe storm that hit Alice Springs has left a significant clean-up and recovery effort ahead, and we know many families, businesses and community organisations are doing it tough.
“Our priority is making sure people get the support they need to repair their homes, restore damaged infrastructure and get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible.
“This emergency funding will provide practical help to eligible homeowners facing essential repairs, primary producers dealing with unexpected costs and community organisations working hard to support Territorians.
“We know recovery takes time, but Territorians look out for each other when times are tough. We’ll continue working together to help the Alice Springs community get back on its feet.
“We encourage affected residents and organisations to check the eligibility criteria and access the support available through SecureNT and Disaster Assist.”
