The Victorian Government is supporting businesses in Porepunkah and the surrounding region following the events on 26 August 2025.

Up to $2.5 million will be delivered to support the visitor economy in Porepunkah, Bright and surrounding region including:

• $5,000 grants for eligible businesses that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses following the incident
• financial support for the Alpine Shire Council and the local business chamber to support community activities and events
• tourism marketing and promotional activities to boost visitor numbers to the Alpine and High Country region
• funding for the Ride High Country Marketing Phase 2 project – to support longer term tourism in the region, increase overnight visitation, and drive economic growth.

Financial counselling and mental health and wellbeing supports are available now.

Register for updates

You can register to get more information on grants and other related supports, including being notified of when applications open.

Financial counselling

If your business or industry has been impacted by the security incident in Porepunkah and Alpine region, free financial counselling support is available from:

• Small Business Debt Helpline: Free, confidential financial advice from experts specialising in finance and debt management.
• Rural Financial Counselling Service: Free independent financial counselling to assist farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and small rural-related businesses.

Mental health and wellbeing

If your business or industry has been impacted by the security incident in Porepunkah and Alpine region, free mental health and wellbeing support is available from:

• Beyond Blue – NewAccess for Small Business Owners: Free, confidential and tailored mental health coaching program, designed to help small business owners and sole traders manage stress, worry and overwhelm.
• Victorian Worker Mental Health Support Line: Free, confidential and 24/7 mental health support for Victorian employees in businesses with 200 workers or less.
• Partners in Wellbeing Helpline: Free wellbeing coaching for all Victorians aged 16 or over.
• Business Victoria Workplace Wellbeing: Resources and information to help sole traders, small businesses and employees manage stress and build positive workplace wellbeing.

For immediate assistance

For more information on immediate and urgent mental health support click here.