Disaster payments expanded for NT flood-hit communities, with help available in First Nations languages

Commonwealth disaster assistance has been expanded to cover more Northern Territory communities affected by severe flooding that began in February, with Services Australia listing several remote Aboriginal communities among the declared areas.

Services Australia says the Northern Territory flooding event started on 3 February 2026 and that affected residents may be eligible for more than one form of assistance. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been activated for people directly affected in a range of locations, including Adelaide River, Jabiru and Katherine, as well as Groote Archipelago communities Alyangula, Angurugu and Umbakumba, and Top End communities such as Numbulwar, Nauiyu, Wugularr (Beswick) and Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa).

AGDRP is a one-off payment intended to assist people who have suffered major damage to their home or major assets, people who were seriously injured, or families where an immediate family member has died or is missing because of the disaster. The payment is $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

The Federal Government has also activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) in a number of local government areas and unincorporated areas, providing up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have lost income as a direct result of the flooding, depending on personal circumstances.

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, said the impact on communities would be long-lasting. “The recovery from the recent unprecedented flooding is going to be a long one” she said.

Services Australia says people can call the Centrelink Indigenous Call Centre to speak about Centrelink payments and services for free, and that the multilingual phone service is also available. The Commonwealth says the quickest way to claim AGDRP and DRA is online through myGov.

The agency has also published information in multiple languages, including several First Nations languages spoken in the Northern Territory such as Anindilyakwa, Djambarrpuyngu, Tiwi and Warlpiri. Services Australia says social workers can provide short-term counselling, information and referrals for people experiencing the emotional and practical pressures of disaster recovery.

Emergency management agencies continue to undertake impact assessments as locations become safe to access, with the Commonwealth indicating additional assistance can be activated as new areas are assessed.

You have until 7 October 2026 to make a claim for the following areas:

• Adelaide River in Coomalie Local Government Area (LGA)
• Alyangula in Groote Archipelago LGA
• Angurugu in Groote Archipelago LGA
• Berry Springs in Litchfield LGA
• Collett Creek in Coomalie LGA
• Daly River in Victoria Daly LGA
• Darwin River in Litchfield LGA
• Edith in Victoria Daly LGA
• Fly Creek in Litchfield LGA
• Jabiru in West Arnhem LGA
• Katherine LGA
• Lansdowne in Roper Gulf LGA
• Maranunga in Victoria Daly LGA
• Nauiyu in Victoria Daly LGA
• Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa) in West Daly LGA
• Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem LGA
• Numbulwar in Roper Gulf LGA
• Umbakumba in Groote Archipelago LGA
• Wugularr (Beswick) in Roper Gulf LGA.

If you lost income as a direct result of this disaster, you may also be eligible for Disaster Recovery Allowance. If you’re eligible, you can get both AGDRP and Disaster Recovery Allowance.