Disaster Ready Fund Round 3 open for applications

The Australian Government has opened the latest round of its flagship $1 billion disaster risk reduction initiative, the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).

The fund, which first launched in 2023 and is administered in local jurisdictions by relevant states and territories, looks to invest in diverse disaster resilience projects that strengthen the nation and its communities against extreme weather.

Up to $200 million is available nationally in this latest funding round, with councils, state agencies, and non-government and First Nations organisations encouraged to apply.

Round 3 of the DRF is focused on large-scale infrastructure that will deliver enduring disaster risk mitigation, resilience and safety benefits for Australians, and put downward pressure on overall insurance costs.

Australia's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is looking for projects that align with its National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and Strategy for Disaster Resilience.

Examples of the types of projects being targeted this DRF round include flood levees, sea walls and drainage basins.

These investments now will make a huge difference in the future, ensuring Queensland and Australia more broadly are best placed to withstand and overcome any disaster events faced.

Applications for DRF Round 3 can be submitted till 16 April 2025 (recently extended by two weeks).

Across the first two DRF rounds Queensland secured more than $113 million worth of projects,  over a quarter of all funding distributed so far.

These projects include community disaster shelters in the Burdekin Delta ($1.3 million), upgrades to Pormpuraaw aerodrome ($14.9 million), and a replacement of Captain Cook Parade seawall in Deception Bay ($2.1 million).

Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), the state's lead agency for disaster recovery and resilience, is coordinating Queensland's DRF project proposals and assisting local applicants with their submissions.

Guidelines, supporting information and a link to the application form are all available on the QRA website: www.qra.qld.gov.au/DRF