The disastrous Australian bushfires have reduced millions of hectares of land to ruins, killing more than 1 billion animals and wildlife, and has destroyed over 2,000 homes.
If you’re in a position to donate time, money, supplies or shelter. Here is an extensive list of where you can donate and what you can do to help those affected by the Australian bushfires.
How to help firefighters
New South Wales
Donate to the NSW Rural Fire Service or volunteer with your local brigade.
Queensland
Donate to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) or donate to the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland (RFBAQ).
Victoria
Donate to the Country Fire Authority in Victoria or volunteer with your local brigade.
South Australia
Donate to the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) or volunteer with your local brigade.
Western Australia
Donate to the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) or help fundraise for the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund (LMDRF).
How to help those affected
Donate to The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) teams are currently providing meals and support to evacuees and frontline responders in affected areas. You can donate here or get involved.
Donate to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal
The St Vincent De Paul Society will direct funds to bushfire relief in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC. You can donate here.
Donate to the Australian Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross is supporting those affected by the bushfires through emergency assistance and long term recovery programs. You can donate here or get involved.
Donate to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) focuses on medium to long term recovery projects which are critical to rebuilding communities. You can donate here.
List your spare bed or room on Find A Bed
Find A Bed allows everyday Australians to list their spare beds or rooms to assist people and animals affected by the bushfires. Visit their website or call (02) 7202 6588 to see how you can help.
List your spare bed or room on Airbnb
Airbnb is providing free housing for evacuees and those assisting with relief efforts until the 16th of January. You can find emergency housing in NSW and VIC or host people in need by listing your spare bed, room or property on Airbnb.
Donate goods and supplies to GIVIT
GIVIT acts as a broker that facilitates the donation of goods to ensure affected communities receive what they need, without the stress and cost of managing and storing a surplus of donated goods. Visit their website to see how you can help.
Start or donate to a GoFundMe
Leverage your network to raise funds for bushfire relief or donate to a GoFundMe of your choice.
How to help Australian wildlife
Donate to the World Wildlife Fund
Koalas are now functionally extinct. Donate to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Help Save Koalas fund to assist koala conservation.
Donate to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has been directing funds to Wildlife Water Drinking Stations to help in koala and wildlife survival. Additionally, they have rescued 31 koalas and have established the Wild Koala Breeding Program for koala conservation. You can donate to their cause here.
Donate to the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (NSW)
The Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service provides assistance for sick, injured and orphaned animals in NSW. You can donate here or volunteer your time.
Donate to Wildlife Victoria
For those in Victoria, you can donate to Wildlife Victoria who will distribute funds to wildlife shelters and carers around the state. Alternatively, you can volunteer your time.
Donate to RSPCA Australia
The RSPCA is working hard to evacuate and support animals, pets and wildlife affected by the bushfires. You can donate to the state of your choice here.
How to spread the word
Australia needs your help – every bit of awareness and support matters. Spread the word via social media and amongst your network to keep the bushfire emergency in the public eye! Help assist with appeals and relief efforts.
Raise awareness now! Our team has drafted a couple templates that you can copy, paste and modify to make it quicker & easier to help you raise awareness:
2. Save the koalas
It’s estimated that more than 8,400 koalas have perished in the devastating Australian bushfires. South Australia has already lost over 50% of their koala population and the koala population is now racing towards extinction. Here’s how you can help save the koalas:
- Donate to the WWF Help Save the Koalas Fund
- Donate to RSPCA Australia, WIRES, Wildlife Australia
- Donate to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital’s Wild Koala Breeding Program
- Donate to your local fire brigade
- Reduce your water usage
- Reduce your energy consumption
- Share this post to raise awareness
1. Ways to help
Disastrous bushfires have been devastating Australia for months. To date, millions of hectares of land have been reduced to ash, more than 1 billion animals have been killed and over 2,000 homes have been destroyed. Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate to charities such as the Australian Red Cross or Salvation Army
- Donate to RSPCA Australia, WWF or WIRES
- Donate goods to GIVIT.org.au
- List your spare bed or room on Findabed.info
- Donate to your local fire brigade
- Reduce your water usage and energy consumption
- Share this post to raise awareness