Disaster Ready Fund - Round Four 2026-27
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About
The Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for disaster resilience and risk reduction.
The Australian Government is providing up to one billion dollars through the DRF. The funding runs over five years from 1 July 2023.
The funding supports projects that address the physical and social impacts of disasters on our communities. Disasters that can be caused by climate change and other natural hazards.
Online information session
An information session was held on Wednesday 3 June to provide Queensland-based applicants with guidance to prepare competitive applications for the Disaster Recovery Fund (DRF) Round 4 program that align with NEMA and state government requirements.
All Queensland-based applicants must view this online session prior to submitting an application.
Responses for all questions submitted during the information session will be published on this webpage in the coming days.
Key changes for Round 4
- For applicants applying via QRA, you are required to provide your responses to questions detailed within the Offline Application Form via an Excel-based Application Response Form developed by QRA.
- Only one application per organisation.
If an organisation has multiple applications for consideration, they will be expected to prioritise internally and only submit one.
If an organisation sends QRA more than one, all application points of contact will be advised and QRA will request one application is prioritised.
While the application cap applies to each lead organisation, it does not restrict participation as a delivery partner.
- Updated eligible hazard and activity types, with some previously eligible types no longer eligible
- Priority projects to be preferenced by the Commonwealth Assessment Panel as part of funding recommendations
- Three years maximum project duration for all project types
- Business as Usual (BAU) guidance has been reviewed and further refined at Appendix C of the Guidelines
- Competitive merit assessment will be based on four criteria: three weighted technical criteria plus a fourth non-weighted criterion that assesses overall value.
- Co-contribution sources have been clarified (land valuations not eligible).
- Evidence requirements have been reduced for ABN applicants and clarified for other applicant types.
- Additional support materials including an applicant checklist and cost benefit analysis template have been developed and are available via the QRA DRF R4 wepbage
- The DRF Audit and Reporting Framework has been updated to simplify and standardise grantee reporting across all DRF rounds.
Administration
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is the lead agency for Queensland, responsible for coordinating DRF proposals and submitting applications to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on behalf of the state.
Status
Applications for DRF Round 4 opened on 29 May 2026.
Key dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| 29 May 2026 |
| 3 June 2026 |
| Applications proposals close | 1 July 2026 |
| Lead agencies submit application proposals to NEMA | 25 August 2026 |
| Assessment of applications by NEMA | September 2026 |
| Announcements made on successful projects | October 2026 |
| Payments from Commonwealth to Lead Agencies | April 2027 |
Application documents
Below is a suite of documents that will directly contribute to an eligible application.
For applicants applying via QRA, you are required to provide your responses to questions detailed within the Offline Application Form via an Excel-based Application Response Form developed by QRA.
The DRF Guidelines set the parameters for the types of project proposals that are eligible for DRF funding. Applicants should read the Guidelines in full before developing project proposals.
More information
If you have any questions, please email disasterreadyfund@qra.qld.gov.au
QRA webpage last updated 4 June 2026. QRA Reference CM QRATF/26/1065