Responses to flooding in NSW

Flooding has occurred to such an extent that Local Area Emergencies have been declared for the following local government areas and periods:

• Western Sydney (2 March 2022 to 9 March 2022):
  • Blacktown
  • Camden
  • Canterbury-Bankstown
  • Central Coast
  • Fairfield
  • Hawkesbury
  • The Hills
  • Liverpool
  • Penrith
  • Sutherland
• Northern NSW (23 February 2022 to 9 March 2022):
  • Ballina
  • Bellingen
  • Clarence Valley
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Kyogle
  • Lismore
  • Nambucca Valley
  • Richmond Valley
  • Tweed

The Federal Department of Education has already distributed and published information to affected services about:

• services continuing to receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments notwithstanding temporary closures;
• services being able to waive the gap fee (optional) if a child who lives within a Local Area Emergency-declared region is not attending attend care;
• support for families in terms via additional Allowable Absent Days in addition to the 52 days for FY2021/2022; and
• availability of the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship); and
• availability of the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) Special Circumstances grants.

The Commonwealth Government has also announced the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child that are now available for people impacted by a flooding event. These can be accessed via myGov or by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66​.

The NSW Government has made available its Disaster Relief Grant for individuals, To apply, please call 13 77 88 and ask about the Disaster Relief Grant administered by Resilience NSW.

And in addition to the NSW Government's grants and loans for businesses affected by natural disaster, eligible NSW-based ECEC services may also be eligible for their storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.

NEW:  As of 9 March 2022, the Federal Government has announced that services that have been closed due to floods for more than 7 days will receive $10,000 as Business Continuity Payments. Details to follow via the Federal Department of Education. 

 The following banks are also offering assistance to affected ECEC services:

• Commonwealth Bank's Emergency Assistance
• ANZ Bank's financial relief package
• National Australia Bank's $1,000 grants and financial relief
• Westpac's disaster relief package

ACA NSW is and will be contacting members in the flood affected areas to see how we can support them during this crisis.

Our partners Guild Insurance have provided resources to help Members keep safe including links to:

• Be prepared
• Stay up to date 
• Get help
• Lodge a claim

Their message for members can be accessed here. 

Should members need any further information/clarification, please contact ACA NSW on 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au. 

PUBLISHED: 2 MARCH 2022

LAST UPDATED: 9 MARCH 2022