The Australian Government has established the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF). The DRF will provide up to one billion dollars over the next five years, from 2023-24 to help communities protect themselves against the impacts of natural hazards across Australia.
NTES is the lead agency coordinating and submitting applications for the DRF on behalf on the NT.
Disaster Ready Fund - Round Four 2026-27 now open for applications
Round Four of the Disaster Ready Fund is now open. NTFES will be hosting a series of information webinars to help you understand the DRF and requirements of round four applications.
To sign up for a 1.5 hours webinar, use the links on the below dates and times.
- Monday 1 June - 2pm
- Tuesday 2 June - 10am
- Wednesday 3 June - 1pm
- Thursday 4 June - 2pm
- Friday 5 June - 10am
- Tuesday 9 June - 2pm
- Wednesday 10 June - 1pm
- Thursday 11 June - 1pm
- Friday 12 June - 10am
Key aspects about this grant round opportunity
Round Four will provide up to $142.477 millions of Australian Government funding for disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Funding allocations have been revised, with 75% of project funds allocated to infrastructure projects (such as cyclone shelters, levees and sea walls) and 25% allocated to other eligible project types (such as planning for future infrastructure and capacity building).
Additional priority will be given to projects that will be ready to commence construction when projects commence (mid-2027) and those with demonstrated insurance benefits.
Project durations have reverted to 3 years for all projects.
Co-contribution requirements have been reduced for projects led by state and territory government bodies in smaller jurisdictions
Audit and Reporting Framework has been updated to simplify and standardise grantee reporting across all DRF rounds.
Evidence requirements have been reduced for ABN applicants and clarified for other applicant types and additional guidance has been provided on business as usual (BAU) activities.
Application information
Project proposals must be submitted between Friday 29 May and close of business 5pm Wednesday 1 July 2026. All applications must be submitted via email to NTDRF@pfes.nt.gov.au.
- Disaster Ready Fund application documents and information
- DRF Round Four Guidelines
- DRF NTFES Offline Application Form
- DRF Indicative Budget Template
- DRF Round Four Application Guide
- DRF Cost Benefit Analysis
- DRF Infrastructure Checklist form
- DRF Other Project Checklist form
- DRF Round Four FAQs
- DRF Delivery Partner Letter of Support Template
- Confirmation for Multi-Jurisdictional and National Projects
- Application requirements
- Every proposal must contain a clear business case, including a budget project and risk management plan, proportionate with the size and scale of the project.
- BAU activities will not be considered (refer to the guidelines on BAU activities).
- For all projects valued at over $1 million, cost estimates must be prepared by a relevant professional (e.g. accountant or quantity surveyor) and be less than 12 months old.
- For all projects valued under $1 million, quotes or cost estimates must be prepared by the applicant and ideally be less than 6 months old.
- All estimates must include a contingency as a separate line item (minimum of 10%, but consideration of a higher contingency up to 30% for projects in complex or remote delivery environments is recommended).
- Infrastructure projects require a minimum total project value of $500,000.
- Additional evidence for infrastructure projects:
- cost benefit analysis
- copies of relevant designs and approvals (e.g. schematic plans, planning permits, development and building approvals, etc.)
- evidence that the applicant either:
- owns the land or infrastructure being built upon or upgraded
- has the landowner’s permission to use the land or infrastructure.
- Application process
- The grant opportunity opens for applications.
- Applicants prepare and submit project proposals through Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Service (NTFES) as the Lead Agency.
- NTFES bring together an assessment panel of senior members from across government with demonstrated experience in business, governance, emergency management or response and disaster recovery.
- The panel assesses applications for eligibility against the NEMA requirements and round 4 guidelines and recommends applications as the most competitive to the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services for ministerial endorsement.
- The ministerial endorsed applications are submitted by NTFES into NEMA’s online portal.
- NEMA’s assessment panel convenes and assesses applications from all states and territories, and progresses the recommended applications to the Minister for Emergency Management as the Commonwealth decision-maker to determine the successful applications.
- NEMA notifies NTFES as the Territory’s Lead Agency of the application outcomes and NTFES subsequently notifies applicants of the successful and unsuccessful outcomes.
- The Commonwealth enters into a funding agreement with the Territory for the Commonwealth’s funding contribution to all projects.
- NEMA sends implementation plans for successful applicants to NTFES to coordinate with applicants, assisting with the development of implementation plans by providing guidance or advice.
- NTFES submits implementation plans to NEMA for endorsement.
- NEMA endorses implementation plans and returns to NTFES.
- Agreements between NTFES and successful applicants are entered to commence and manage the project.
For further information or to discuss your initiative or proposal, contact Mr Nick Mavros on 0492 260 660 or ntdrf@pfes.nt.gov.au.
Have your say on the DRF
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched a new survey calling for community feedback about the implementation of the DRF.
To take the survey, visit: NEMA Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) Survey
Further information
Please click here to see all projects funded under the DRF. For more information about the Disaster Ready Fund in the Northern Territory, please contact NTFES at NTDRF@pfes.nt.gov.au