Emergency Relief Program
How to apply for fundingIntroduction
The objective of Emergency Relief (ER) is to assist people in financial crisis to deal with their immediate crisis situation in a way that maintains the dignity of the individual and encourages self reliance.Assistance from Emergency Relief providers to clients is primarily in the form of:
- purchase vouchers of a fixed value (eg for food, transport or chemist vouchers);
- assistance with rent/accommodation;
- part-payment of utility account/s;
- material assistance such as food parcels or clothing; and/or
- appropriate referrals to other services that help to address underlying causes of financial crisis.
From time to time, additional funding may be provided to meet specific needs. In September 2007, for example, the Commonwealth Government provided additional Emergency Relief funding to assist people in financial crisis in drought affected areas. Further information about drought funding is available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
The Commonwealth Government has been funding ER since the late 1970s - with the program administered by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
When it commenced, the ER Program had funding of $500,000. In 2008-09 funding is $36.2 million. Since 1997-98 the funding has been linked to movements in the Consumer Price Index.
In 2006-07, ER became part of the Financial Management Program. ER funding is provided to a range of community and charitable organisations to provide emergency assistance to people in financial crisis.
Organisations Providing Emergency Relief
Approximately 750 community organisations, operating 1300 outlets, receive ER funding through the Financial Management Program. For many organisations, the Commonwealth is not their only source of ER funding. Some organisations receive other government funding and many organisations receive donations from the public.Funding Allocation
The funding is divided three ways: 91% for distribution to agencies servicing the general population; 8% for distribution to agencies servicing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population; and 1% for development of training and support for ER workers.The national allocation is split into State/Territory allocations calculated using data on the regional location of recipients of various Commonwealth benefits and allowances:
- Disability Support
- Newstart Allowance
- Parenting Payment Single
- Youth Allowance
- FTB (A) maximum
- Community Development Employment Project
- Exceptional Circumstances Relief payment.
In many cases ER is not the only source of funding to agencies. Some receive other government grants and donations from the public. ER does not fund operational costs. However, emergency relief agencies can use 15% or $5,000 per outlet, whichever is the lesser, from their emergency relief funds for administrative purposes, excluding wages.
How to apply for funding
The Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) national office is responsible for the ongoing policy development and program management of ER. FaHCSIA's state and territory offices manage ER on a day-to-day basis.To apply for funding, contact the FaHCSIA office in your state/territory. Each state and territory office is responsible for allocating funds and will know if there is any funding available and how to apply.
New South Wales office and Australian Capital Territory office:
Level 9, 280 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
GPO Box 9820, Sydney NSW 2001
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 02 8255 7778
Queensland office:
100 Creek Street, Brisbane
GPO Box 9820, Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 07 3004 4745
Western Australian office:
Floor 12, 152-158 Georges Terrace, Perth
GPO Box 9820, Perth WA 6848
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 08 9229 1598
Tasmanian office:
Floor 3, 21 Kirksway Place, Battery Point
GPO Box 9820, Hobart TAS 7001
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 03 6211 9399
Victorian office:
Level 3, Casselden Place,
2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
GPO Box 9820, Melbourne, VIC 3001
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 03 8626 1217
South Australian office:
Floor 18, 11 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
GPO Box 9820, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 08 8400 2199
Northern Territory office:
Floor 2, 13 Scaturchio Street, Casuarina
GPO Box 9820, Darwin NT 0801
Phone: 1300 653 227 (local call cost only)
Fax: 08 8936 6331