Bushfire legal help - ARC Justice

Assistance for bushfire impacted communities

Do you need legal help?

Bushfires and grassfires can cause legal problems. Our teams are available to provide clear, practical information to help tackle the complex challenges when facing recovery and rebuilding after a disaster. Please call our offices on 03 5445 0909 or 18000 450 909 to speak with our team.

The links below provide a starting point with information to help answer common questions – our teams are also able to provide help on these and more topics during office hours. Call our Bendigo or Shepparton offices or look out for our teams at recovery hubs for help.

ARC Justice works closely with Disaster Legal Help Victoria. Their website has further resources and information to support preparation and recovery.

Issue	Common Questions or Problems	Resources
Services Australia (Centrelink)	I’m having trouble receiving social security payments.	Social Securities Rights Victoria
Court hearing scheduled	Do I have to travel to court when it might not be safe to travel or there is no public transport?	Magistrates Court Victoria Contact the Court for advice on your options.
Emergency payments	Can I get any emergency payments? I should be eligible for emergency payments, but my application was declined.	Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) Emergency Relief Payments – Victoria Social Securities Rights Victoria
Employment	I need time off work to deal with my disaster impacted home. I’ve been displaced and can’t get to work – can I get time off? My workplace is shut because of disaster damage – can they stand me down?	Fair Work Ombudsman Information about entitlements and rights – JobWatch
Family Violence	I need help with family violence. I need to vary an existing Family Violence Intervention Order. I need help to change our parenting plan.	000 – if you are in immediate danger The Orange Door ARC Justice‘s Loddon Campaspe or Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centres
Homelessness	I am homeless or in danger of becoming homeless This may or may not be related to the disaster, but the housing crisis has worsened because of them.	ARC Justice‘s Housing Justice program DFFH – Getting help if you are in urgent need of somewhere to stay
Insurance	I’m not sure if I’m eligible to make a claim. I’ve been offered a cash settlement – should I take it? A business is charging me to handle my claim for me – is this ok? Can I throw out damaged parts of my house or belongings? Can I get reimbursed by my insurer for any repairs I’ve made to my house?	ARC Justice‘s Loddon Campaspe or Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centres Consumer Action Law Centre Financial Rights Legal Centre Financial Counselling Victoria
Legal documents	I lost important documents in the disaster.	Births, Deaths, and Marriages Victoria – natural disasters
Rural property damage	My fencing was damaged and needs repairs or replacing Who pays to remove fallen trees and other debris?	Rural Financial Counselling Service – links to regional services Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria – Fencing in Victoria
Small Business	My business is flood affected and I have Insurance issues Employer issues Contractual issues	Justice Connect Business Victoria Rural Financial Counselling Service – links to regional services
Tenancy/Renting	I’ve been given an eviction notice because my home is uninhabitable. My rental has urgent repairs required. Mould: my house is already or will be mouldy. Non-urgent repairs required. Displaced (and not likely to be able to go back) and still paying rent. Trouble paying rent.	ARC Justice‘s Housing Justice program Tenants Victoria – Disasters help page