THE VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES

Where to Get Information

Bushfire updates

• Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 240 667
• For fire information www.cfa.vic.gov.au
• For road closures www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
• Callers with hearing, speech or communication impairments with access to a TTY (teletext) machine can call during business hours on: TTY 1800 122 969.

Displaced residents

• Checking on family members or friends in affected areas 1800 727 077 or email inquiries@redcross.org.au
• Overseas inquiries about family or friends in bushfire areas +61 3 9328 3716
• List of Victorian Bushfire Emergency Relief Centre locations and contact details www.dse.vic.gov.au
• List of all Recovery Centre locations and contact details www.dhs.vic.gov.au
• Help line specifically for counselling and health advice for people recovering from the bushfires 1300 60 60 24

Financial assistance

• Department of Human Services - emergency assistance including grants www.dhs.vic.gov.au
• Centrelink disaster payment information 180 2211 or www.disasterassist.gov.au/

DONATIONS

Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund

Relief organisations have reported difficulties managing the large influx of material aid (clothing, white goods, food etc) that has been generously donated. 

At this time people are being asked to instead donate to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund launched by the Victorian Premier and the Prime Minister. It is being co-ordinated by the Red Cross and overseen by an independent advisory panel.

• Call the Red Cross on 1800 811 700 or donate online at www.redcross.org.au
• Donate at any Bendigo Bank or any branch of the ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB or Westpac banks.
• Donate at any Bunnings store or Australia Post outlet.

 *Note: Red Cross will not deduct any funds from this appeal for administration costs. All funds received will be kept in a Trust Fund set up by the Victorian Government. All interest earned on donations will be invested back into the Appeal.

• Urgent blood donations are not needed at this time. However people should continue donating over the coming weeks to maintain supplies. Call 13 14 95 to make an appointment or visit www.donateblood.com.au to fill out an online registration form.

• To donate your time contact Go Volunteer 1300 366 356 or register at www.govolunteer.com.au

• Salvation Army is accepting financial donations. 137 258 or www.salvos.org.au
• Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund is accepting financial donations www.relieffund.org.au

Donations

• Consumer Affairs Victoria has warned of bogus bushfire charities. A list of registered bushfire charities is at www.consumer.vic.gov.au
• Corporate donations of food can be made to VicRelief Foodbank on 03 9362 8300
• Clothing and household goods donations can be made at any Salvo's Family Store or Brotherhood of St Laurence Community Store, or a charity in your area.

HOUSING / EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION

The Department of Human Services is coordinating donations of billeting/housing and emergency accommodation for Victorian bushfire victims. No further offers of single rooms or shared accommodation are needed at this time. Offers of caravans, mobile homes and vacant furnished homes/holiday houses can be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Public Accommodation Donation Line 1800 006 468, 8am - 8pm

RE-ESTABLISHING IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

• Priority service for bushfire victims for Victorian registration and licensing
  13 11 71 or www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
• Residents who have lost property or belongings can obtain a temporary Medicare card number from any Medicare office 13 20 11 or www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/

PERSONAL SUPPORT / COUNSELLING

• Lifeline 131 114 or www.lifeline.org.au 
• Parentline 13 22 89 or www.parentline.vic.gov.au
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelp.com.au
• Department of Human Services www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency

Health issues after a bushfire

• Department of Human Services has fact sheets on health issues associated with bushfire at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/bushfire-and-health

ANIMAL WELFARE

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is responsible for animal welfare response and recovery activities with the support of the RSPCA and Department of Sustainability and Environment.

• DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for advice on nearest DPI co-ordination centre.
• RSPCA temporary emergency accommodation for animals 03 9224 2222 or www.rspca.org.au. RSPCA is also providing wildlife assistance
• Animal Aid in Coldstream (Yarra Ranges Shire) for care of domestic pets affected by fires. Contact 0418 982 070
• Wildlife Victoria 24 hour contact for injured animals 13 000 94535 or www.wildlifevictoria.org.au

Animal Welfare

• Lort Smith Animal Hospital is offering free veterinary treatment for pets affected by the bushfires. Contact 03 9328 3021 (North Melbourne) or 03 9407 2030 (Mill Park) www.lortsmith.com  
• University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic (Werribee) is offering free treatment of pets and horses injured in the bushfires. Contact 03 9731 2232 (24 hours) or www.vch.unimelb.edu.au/
• Project Hope Horse Welfare Victoria is arranging housing and transport, coordinating feed and horse related goods for horse owners 1300 881 606 or www.phhwv.org.au/
• Help for Wildlife has a 24 hour emergency service 0417 380 687 or www.helpforwildlife.com/

Donations

• To make fodder donations for livestock contact the Victorian Farmers Federation 1300 882 833 or www.vff.org.au
• To make pet food donations contact your local RSPCA www.rspca.org.au