Bushfire information and support

The January 2026 bushfires impacted several communities in the Murray PHN region. During emergency situations, Murray PHN’s role involves contacting providers in affected areas to monitor service status and see what support may be required. If you need support, email our team at primarycareresponse@murrayphn.org.au

Bushfire resources

• How to stay informed and up-to-date during an emergency

  • Check and set watch zones via emergency apps/websites: VicEmergency and Fires Near Me, NSW
  • Tune into local radio and follow advice broadcast by emergency services
  • Look out for emergency text messages on your mobile phone (these will come from +61 444 444 444)
  • Check your local council’s website or social media pages for community meetings and relief and recovery centre information. Find links to these on Our Region webpage.
  • If you need to travel, check VicTraffic or Live Traffic NSW before you leave
  • Check fire danger ratings and advice, and access bushfire safety plans: CFA Victoria and NSW Rural Fire Service
  • Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 if you need additional advice or support
  • If you have been impacted, call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 (9am-5pm daily)
  • Let people know you are safe with Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite

• Resources for primary care

  Murray PHN resources:

  • Emergency Management Framework provides a structured and practical approach to preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies, disasters and critical incidents that impact primary healthcare services across the region
  • Emergency Response and Business Continuity Plan Template (Word) is a guide for providers that outlines the essential components required to develop a comprehensive and effective continuity plan. It will help organisations work towards establishing a clear, consistent and actionable approach to maintaining business resilience, ensuring critical services remain operational and recovery efforts are coordinated efficiently during and after the disruption.
  • Bushfires primary care preparedness fact sheet
  • Extreme heat primary care preparedness fact sheet
  • Neighbour Safer Places (NSP) primary care preparedness fact sheet
  • Digital health emergency and natural disaster toolkit
  • The role satellite internet plays in business continuity and disaster recovery Q&A guide – investing in better preparedness
  • Murray HealthPathways: Emergency situations

  Additional resources

  • Victorian Department of Health: bushfires and public health links and fact sheets
  • MBS telehealth services fact sheets
  • Disaster Assist: Local Government Areas which have been declared natural disasters
  • Australian government-funded mental health supports flyer
  • Walwa bushfires: Mental health services flyer
  • Psychosocial services and support for emergencies
  • Victorian Department of Health: After a fire stakeholder pack
  • enHealth guidance for public health agencies – Managing prolonged smoke events from landscape fires
• Free access to Healthdirect Video Call for general practice

  Murray PHN has partnered with Healthdirect to offer general practices in the region free access to the Healthdirect Video Call platform. Practices are not required to use Healthdirect, however systems must meet clinical standards and comply with privacy laws.

  Healthdirect Video Call – provider information

  1) Registration steps

  • Go to the registration page
  • Complete the online form with your practice details
  • The Healthdirect team validates and onboards your practice
  • Murray PHN’s Digital Health team can assist with questions.

  2) Bushfire telehealth access

  • Medicare-subsidised telehealth available for patients in declared bushfire zones
  • No prior GP relationship is required during disaster declaration
  • Emergency prescription continuity: pharmacists can coordinate with GPs via telehealth.

  3) Resources

  • Digital health emergency and natural disaster toolkit
  • About telehealth – Murray PHN Digital Health
  • MBS telehealth item numbers (see the drop-down Quick links menu)
• Volunteer registers

  Health professionals

  GPs, nurses, mental healthcare providers and pharmacists – if you would like to help colleagues and community in times of need, register your interest and availability to volunteer: Join Murray PHN’s Emergency Volunteer Register

  Community

  • Needs and Offers (volunteer and equipment) Register – Help Mount Alexander communities recover from bushfire. The Castlemaine Community House, Harcourt Valley Community House and Harcourt Progress Association, Castlemaine Community Investment Co-operative, Castlemaine Lions Club, local Landcare groups, Connecting Country and others are coordinating this volunteer and equipment register to help longer-term bushfire recovery, including in the Harcourt Valley. People or organisations/groups can register their skills, time and useful equipment. These could be used in activities including clean up, workshops on insurance claims, fencing, repairs, re-vegetation, technology, rebuilding or fundraising.
  • Blazeaid – is calling for volunteers to support local families affected by the recent fires with fencing and clean-up. Current camps: Goomalibee (near Benalla), Yarroweyah (near Cobram), Skipton, Harcourt and Longwood. Natimuk opening soon.
• Emergency relief payments and grants

  Emergency relief payments
  Emergency relief payments are available for eligible people impacted by the bushfires to help with immediate needs, such as food and medicine. Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family. Applications close at 5pm Friday 27 February 2026.

  You can apply for this payment if:

  • your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the major emergency and you can’t live in it, or your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property, and
  • you have unmet immediate relief needs (food, clothing, medication and accommodation).

  Grants available via the hotline 1800 226 226 or in person at relief centres.

  Click here for more information.

  Australian Government disaster payment and recovery allowance
  The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a one off, non-means tested lump sum payment. It’s available until 14 July 2026 to people who have had major damage to their home or assets and for help from being seriously injured, if an immediate family member has died or is missing. The payment is $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children.

  The Disaster Recovery Allowance is available for a maximum of 13 weeks to help with lost income as a direct result of the January 2026 Victorian Bushfires. If eligible, people will get the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance. It is a taxable payment and needs to be included in tax returns.

  Find information about eligibility including declared areas and how to claim on the Services Australia website.

  Financial assistance for households impacted by extended power outages following the bushfires
  Eligible households that have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period will receive $2380 per week for up to three weeks. Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses, with full details available at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages

  Look Over the Farm Gate community grants
  These grants opened on Friday 16 January to provide funding of $1500-$5000 to organisations that would like to deliver tailored initiatives and events to help farmers and farming families under stress. Grants will close on 20 May or when budget is expended. https://farmerhealth.org.au/look-over-the-farm-gate

  Emergency re-establishment assistance payments
  Assistance payments of up to $52,250 are available to help uninsured households affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires to “re-establish their principal place of residence”. Call the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226

• Returning home and cleaning up after a bushfire
  • Check with your local emergency services that it is safe to return to your property after a bushfire
  • The Better Health Channel has information on returning home after a bushfire – including safety and clean up information

  Use protective clothing to check your property after a bushfire

  • Make sure you wear protective clothing before entering your property such as a P2 mask and disposable overalls
  • Put them in a garbage bag when you leave to dispose of them and wash your hands
  • Hazardous materials that may be present after a bushfire include asbestos, ashes – especially from burnt treated timbers, LPG gas cylinders, garden or farm chemicals, farm chemicals and other residues from burnt household appliances, and dust

  Cleaning up your home after a bushfire

  • When you can:
    • Open up the house – let the air and sun in
    • Wash indoor surfaces with mild soap or detergent and water. For stubborn smoke and soot – the Better Health Channel has instructions on how to wash with bleach
    • You should inspect your makeup and medicine cabinet after a fire. Throw out anything that has signs of soot, smoke discolouration or fire extinguisher dust
    • All foods that have been fire damaged or affected by heat should be thrown out
    • If you have an evaporative air conditioner which is supplied by tank water, do not use it if this water has been contaminated.

  State coordinated clean-up program
  This program will let eligible fire-affected homeowners start the recovery process by funding key clean-up activities, like demolition and removal of hazardous materials. This will be available in the impacted local government areas (LGAs) for the principal place of residence for people who are uninsured and under-insured. Click here to find out more.

  Waste disposal fees waived
  People from the 18 LGAs impacted by the fire won’t need to pay any fees at waste disposal facilities if they show proof of residence, like a driver’s license. The fee waivers will run for 120 days to 13 May 2026 to ensure impacted communities have enough time to clean up their property and start getting back on their feet.

• Power outages, electricity and gas

  Life support customers and ventilator dependent people affected by power outages will be contacted by the Victorian government to ensure any additional support can be provided.

  The Better Health Channel has a webpage for coping without gas or electricity in emergencies.

  Financial assistance for households impacted by extended power outages following the bushfires
  Eligible households who have been without power for seven or more days within a two-week period will receive $2380 per week for up to three weeks.

  Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses, with full details available at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages

• Support for farmers and primary producers
  • Emergency Fodder Support Program: Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) 1300 882 833 or vff.org.au
  • Livestock welfare concerns: call Agriculture Victoria on 1800 226 226, who will work with the Fire Incident Controller to assess the request and determine the earliest and safest way to get access.
  • Rural Financial Counselling Service is accessible for bushfire affected primary producers, and offers free, confidential wellbeing support alongside financial and business counselling support. To access support call 1300 771 741.
  • On-farm bushfire recovery resources: Agriculture Victoria

  In addition to the supports listed under the “mental health” drop down below, farmers may want to consider:

  • TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter): free and confidential professional counselling sessions through phone and text to truckies, tradies, blue collar workers and those that care about them. Text or call 0488 846 988.

  Primary Producer Recovery Grants
  Grants of up to $75,000 will be provided to eligible primary producers, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises, such as disposing of livestock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations.
  Grants will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at ruralfinance.com.au

  Concessional Loans for Primary Producers
  Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets, while loans of up to $100,000 will support those experiencing a major loss of income.
  This assistance will further help cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.
  Applications will open as soon as possible and will be delivered by Rural Finance. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at ruralfinance.com.au

• MBS telehealth services: Disaster Assist

  Telehealth appointments

  Community members in designated disaster areas can access Medicare-subsidised telehealth services from any general practice. Although community members would normally need to have an existing relationship with a GP, if they are in a declared natural disaster area, they are exempt for the duration of that declaration.

  • Information on areas that have been declared a natural disaster
  • Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth arrangements fact sheets

  Prescriptions and telehealth appointments
  When community members have a telehealth appointment, GPs can send required prescriptions electronically by SMS or email. Some GPs can also send the prescription online to your chosen pharmacy or hospital. When a health provider cannot see a patient in person, virtual or telehealth consultations via phone or video can be highly valuable, especially during emergencies and natural disasters.

Health resources

• Ash and drinking water supply

  If you live in a bushfire affected area your private drinking water could be contaminated from debris, ash, dead animals, aerial fire retardants and water-bombing.

  • Prior to using your water inspect your roof, gutters and if possible, look inside your tank for signs of contamination.
  • If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not drink it, use it for food preparation or for brushing teeth, or give it to animals. Use bottled water for drinking.
  • Tank water that is not suitable for drinking can be used on the garden.

  For more information visit the Better Health Channel. Also see a health risks of ash fact sheet.

  You can check water quality here.

  Do not drink / boil water advisories lifted 

  • Coliban Water lifted the Do Not Drink Advisory for Harcourt and areas south of Harcourt on Saturday 18 January.
  • Goulburn Valley Water lifted the Boil Water Advisory for Longwood and Longwood East customers on 15 January.
• Smoke, fire retardants and respiratory health

  Smoke and poor air quality can cause health problems, affecting breathing, eyes and overall wellbeing. Those with asthma, heart or lung conditions, who are pregnant, and older adults and children can be most affected. In healthy adults, once the smoke leaves, symptoms should go away.

  Tips to protect yourself:

  • Keep an eye on the air quality epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality
  • Close your windows and doors until the air outside improves. If the air quality is good, open the windows and doors
  • If it is smoky outdoors, stay indoors and close windows – put a wet towel along the edges to cover gaps – until the air clears
  • Switch air-conditioners off if they can’t recirculate or re-use air
  • Use a P2, KN95 or N95 mask when needed
  • Keep your medication close
  • Avoid doing any intense physical activity
  • If you have any existing health concerns that may get worse with the smoky air, make sure you follow your medical action plan and evacuate the area if you need.

  If needed, ring Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). 

  Also see, fire retardants and health fact sheet.

• Food safety

  After a fire, smoke and other contaminants from burning materials can potentially affect food.

  • When in doubt, throw it out!
  • Be thorough when inspecting your kitchen for damage from smoke, heat, water and firefighting foam.
  • Throw out all food items, sealed or unsealed, impacted by the fire, as they could be contaminated. This includes food in cans and jars even if they appear OK, any raw food, and food packaged in cardboard and plastic wrap.
  • Get rid of food that is smelly, slimy, mouldy or discoloured.
  • Throw out food from a refrigerator if the power has been off and the food is no longer cold to touch. Throw out food if you are unsure whether the power has been off for more than four hours.
  • Once cold or frozen food has warmed or thawed, it should be thrown out.

  Many kitchen appliances such as fridges, freezers and microwaves may be damaged, even if they seem to be functioning right after the fire. Inspect them thoroughly. They may need to be replaced. Contaminants may accumulate on sensitive electronic circuits, which may cause short-circuiting.

  For more information about food safety after a fire: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-safety-after-a-fire
  For other bushfire information for communities: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bushfire-emergency-information

• Mental health and family violence support

  For general practices, pharmacies, allied health, residential aged care and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations

  Access free confidential and professional e-counselling through Murray PHN’s Employee Assistance Program, delivered by Connect Psych services. Appointments are available from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week.

  • Contact details and booking form.
  • Using relevant access code:
    • Allied health: MPA482
    • General practice: MPP121
    • Pharmacy: MPP825
    • Residential aged care: MPR623
    • Other primary healthcare professions: MPO872.

  For community

  • Medicare Mental Health Phone Service: 1800 595 212 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday except on public holidays.
  • Lifeline – 13 HELP (13 43 57) is Lifeline’s 24/7 dedicated support line for people affected by the fires. Trained crisis supporters are available to listen, provide emotional support, and connect you with practical help.
    • Natural Disaster Support Toolkit
  • Beyond Blue – for 24/7 brief counselling support. Call 1300 224 636
  • Emergency Recovery Hotline: 1800 560 760 between 9am and 5pm daily. (Press 9 for an interpreter or call Translating and Interpretation Service (TIS) on 131 450).

  Local supports

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals: a free service for people aged 26 and older, providing treatment, care and support for mental health and wellbeing. In our region they are located in: Benalla, Wangaratta and Mansfield; Bendigo and Echuca (servicing Greater Bendigo, Loddon and Campaspe); Mildura (servicing Rural City of Mildura); Mount Alexander (servicing Mount Alexander, Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges) and Shepparton (servicing Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie and Moira).
  • Strathbogie Local Government Areas impacted by the Longwood Fires: APMHA Healthcare call 1300 514 811 Ext 1, or refer to Services offered
  • Mitchell and Murrindindi Local Government Areas impacted by the Longwood bushfires: Lower Hume Primary Mental Health Services call 03 5736 0418, or refer to Services offered
  • Walwa bushfires: Mental health services flyers

  Family and domestic violence

  Family violence can escalate in times of crisis. If you, or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available.

  • 1800RESPECT – Available 24/7 by calling 1800 737 732 or texting 0458 737 732
  • The Orange Door – Locations are available across the Murray PHN region. Call 1800 512 359, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
  • Safe Steps – 24/7 statewide crisis service. Call 1800 015 188
• Snake bites and bat infections

  With fires impacting parts of Victoria, snakes and bats may be displaced from their natural habitats and move into urban and rural areas.

  Snakes

  If you see a snake: stay calm, keep a safe distance, slowly move away. Do not approach, touch or attempt to handle it and contact a licensed snake catcher or wildlife rescue if required.

  Signs of a snake bite are not always obvious, and in some cases a person may not feel the bite. Symptoms can appear an hour or more after being bitten, so it’s important to act quickly if a bite is suspected. Treat all snake bites as a medical emergency. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance

  • Lie the person down, keep them still, and reassure them
  • Remove jewellery from the affected limb if possible
  • Apply a firm pressure bandage over the bite site and mark it with an X
  • Apply a second bandage from the fingers or toes upward, as tightly as possible
  • Immobilise the limb with a splint
  • Keep the person completely still
  • Monitor circulation in fingers or toes
  • Record the time of the bite and bandaging
  • Do not wash the bite site or clothing
  • Stay with the person until medical help arrives
  • Do not allow the person to walk – bring help to them.

  Bats and flying foxes

  Bats can carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), a rare but serious infection that can be fatal. If you see a bat or flying fox on the ground or injured, do not touch it. Contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue service.

  If you are bitten or scratched by a bat or flying fox:

  • Wash the area immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes
  • Apply an antiseptic
  • Seek medical attention straight away.
• Prescription medicines and digital health tools

  If you need to leave without your prescriptions or medicines, or they are lost try one of these options:

  • Contact your local pharmacy who may be able to call your doctor for a verbal prescription.
  • Request an eScript (electronic prescription) from your doctor.
  • Use a telehealth service. If your doctor or medical centre doesn’t offer telehealth consultations, you can use the healthdirect service finder to find a provider.

  For more, see useful digital health tools during emergencies flyer.

• Medical advice: online and via the phone (telehealth)
  • Call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse for information and advice.
  • The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) is an online public health service that is available to treat non-life-threatening emergencies.
  • Use a telehealth service (phone or video service). If your doctor or medical centre isn’t available or doesn’t offer telehealth consultations, you can use the healthdirect service finder to find a provider.

  If you are not in a high-risk area and it is safe to travel, urgent care clinics are available to support people with conditions that require urgent attention, but not an emergency response. In our region, these are located in Albury, Wodonga, Bendigo, Shepparton and Mildura.

• Heat health tips

  Extreme heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems. While anyone can be affected, people who are young, old, pregnant, socially isolated, have acute or chronic health problems or limited ways to keep cool, are more at risk.

  Tips to protect yourself and others:

  • Stay cool. Use air conditioning or a fan. Wear light, loose clothing. Keep skin wet with a spray bottle, sponge or by taking cool showers. If you can’t keep cool at home, think about going to a public pool or air-conditioned building.
  • Stay hydrated. Keep drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.
  • Check in with family, friends and neighbours. Let people know you are OK and check in with those who are at increased risk and may need support.
  • Plan ahead. Watch the forecast and plan activities at cooler times of day.
  • Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars.

  If needed, ring Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). 

For more relief and recovery resources, visit VicEmergency’s dedicated webpage. For support, go to Emergency Recovery Victoria.

For people wanting to help, the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal is now open for donations to support fire affected communities: vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal

Note: This webpage is regularly being updated. Refer to official sources for the most up-to-date information.