Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expects New South Wales to face “quite a difficult” fire season this summer, as destructive bushfires continue to burn across the state.”This summer, of course, like all summers that would appear in recent times, is going to be a difficult one,” Albanese told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday morning. “But New South Wales in particular has a range of pre-conditions for being quite a difficult one.””Houses [were] lost yesterday. Fortunately, [there was] no loss of life — that is always the priority.”

His comments come as natural disasters have been declared in six NSW local government areas — including Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Dubbo, Muswellbrook and Warrumbungle — unlocking federal and state assistance.

What disaster declarations mean

The NSW government has formally declared the bushfires a natural disaster in those regions.A disaster declaration triggers access to funding that helps with both immediate relief and long-term recovery.

Residents, businesses, primary producers and councils can access:

Personal hardship and distress assistance, including emergency accommodation and cash payments.Recovery loans and concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers.Counter-disaster operation support.Community recovery funds.Cleanup and recovery grants.

Hardship grants will also be available for people who have lost their homes.

Speaking from an evacuation centre at the Gosford RSL club, NSW Premier Chris Minns said it would allow businesses and local councils to access support, with state officials on the ground to help residents.”They can supply immediate accommodation support, cash in some circumstances … that may be absolutely essential,” he said on Sunday morning. “I’ve spoken to some families that have lost their phone, lost everything, medications, the whole lot.”Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the government “moved quickly” to provide basic assistance.

“To the people who are today in shock and distress, I [send my] sympathy to them, and just give assurance that we will do everything we can to support them,” she said.

Ongoing problems with disaster payments

But historically, access to disaster funding has been far from smooth for some.After 2019’s Black Summer bushfires, the National Bushfire Recovery Agency told the Royal Commission that eligibility for disaster-recovery payments “unfortunately” depended on where you live, with support varying even across local government boundaries.

Earlier this year, some communities also struggled to access adequate support off the back of Cyclone Alfred.

Taree local Holly Rankin told SBS News that many residents received a one-off federal payment of $1,000, but said it was nowhere near enough to address widespread loss.”Thousands of families in Taree, Wingham and surrounds have lost everything,” she said. “Anyone who does a weekly budget knows that $1,000 will only last you a week.”

“These people are standing in the face of an immense financial burden.”

76 fires were still burning across New South Wales on Sunday morning, with more than 20 that are yet to be contained. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

In the first six months of 2025, natural disasters cost the economy $2.2 billion, according to federal treasury analysis.

Dozens of fires still burning across NSW

Around 76 bush and grass fires were still burning in NSW on Sunday morning, including more than 20 yet to be contained.

An out-of-control bushfire destroyed at least 12 homes in Koolewong on Saturday, not far from built-up areas on the Central Coast. Four more homes were lost at Bulahdelah on the Mid North Coast.

More than 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine aircraft were battling the Koolewong blaze at its peak. Several firefighters experienced heat exhaustion and there were reports of minor injuries to civilians.

Damage assessments are still underway, with further property losses expected to be confirmed.

A challenging season ahead

Forecasters warn this could be the start of a difficult summer.The Bureau of Meteorology’s long-range outlook predicts above-average temperatures across most of Australia and below-average rainfall for large areas — creating drier conditions that elevate fire risk.That combination means “significant bushfires” are possible in January and February, the BoM says.

The Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) has also flagged a “heightened risk” for fires in parts of WA, NSW, and Victoria, driven by long-term rainfall deficits, high fuel loads, and persistent soil moisture deficits.

Minns said it remains difficult to predict the season’s severity, but urged preparedness.”We can’t set in stone what summer will look like,” he said on Sunday. “Because of uncertain weather predictions, it’s incredibly important you expect the unexpected.”Have a bushfire preparedness plan in place and be ready to leave, maybe even at the drop of a hat.”— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

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