The latest support and relief for those affected by bushfires

Racing Victoria Staff

Jan 12, 2026

Anybody requiring emergency assistance due to the Victorian bushfires should immediately call 000.

To view the latest bushfire updates on the Vic Emergency website please click here.

To view next stage recovery information on the Victorian Government's January 2026 Victorian bushfires page please click here. 

Government Support

The Victorian Government has established relief and recovery processes in place to support properties impacted by the January bushfires, including feed and emergency supplies.

To view that recovery support on the Victorian Government Website please click here. 

It is critical that impacted properties register with Agriculture Victoria to access current and future rounds of support. The advice from Agriculture Victoria is to:

  • Call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
  • Navigate to the bushfires page on Agriculture Victoria’s website and complete the ‘Loss and Damage Online Assessment Form’. This form lodges your property details, initial impacts and emergency needs to enable Agriculture Victoria to assess what you need.

Livestock and horse owners are required to have a Property Identification Code (PIC) with up to date information. Having a PIC is crucial during an emergency as it allows Agriculture Victoria to locate your property and get in touch with you if needed.

Emergency Fodder:

To request or donate emergency fodder, call the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) on 1300 882 833 or head to the VFF website and fill out the Emergency Fodder Request Form. Donations can be made to the VFF Disaster Relief Fund which has previously been used to provide grants for replacing fencing and infrastructure.

Emergency Relief Payments:

The Victorian Government has also announced an initial $19.5 million support package for bushfire affected Victorians - jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This includes the Personal Hardship Assistance Program consisting of emergency relief payments for eligible residents

Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family.

More details can be found here.

Additional Support:

  • An extensive list of people offering assistance with agistment and transport for industry participants and acknowledged post racing providers has been published at the top of our Equine Emergency Support page.

    https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/equine-welfare/programs-initiatives/equine-emergency-support

  • Equine welfare assistance needed by industry participants and acknowledged post racing providers – phone RV Equine Welfare Team on (03) 9258 4258 (select Option 4).
  • If you wish to offer assistance with transport, feed, supplies or equipment for industry participants and acknowledged post racing providers etc please email equinewelfare@racingvictoria.net.au
  • Horse agistment is also available at Inglis’ Oaklands Junction saleyards. Contact James Price 0409 806 595.
  • Racing Victoria would like to remind all racing participants of the availability of support services such as Stableline, which offers free and strictly confidential mental health and wellbeing support to industry participants and their immediate family members.

  • Call 1300 520 122 at any time to book a face-to-face, telephone or online appointment. More information can be found on the RV website. 

    https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/participants/stable-employees/stableline

  • Thoroughbred Breeders Australia also has a similar support line available for stud staff. Call 1300 822 935.

In addition to the above, Racing Victoria is currently in the process of determining the structure and scope of its relief and support measures. Further information will be provided in the coming days.

2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal:

The Victorian Government has launched the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal to support the impacted communities across the state.

It will ensure that 100% of donations will go to bush-fire affected communities for both long-term and immediate assistance and we encourage donations to be made through this platform.

Donations can be made via 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal | vic.gov.au

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