Information below has been collated to assist affected Australians access local services and consular assistance. Enquiries should be raised directly with the service provider.
We will continue to make updates as information becomes available. Follow us via the Australian Consulate-General Los Angeles social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
The City and County of Los Angeles, and the State of California have created central websites for up-to-date information on disaster recovery for those impacted.
LA Disaster Relief Navigator (All Fires)
- The LA Disaster Relief Navigator can help you create a personalised action plan that contains critical financial and wellness resources for government programs, insurance assistance, home damage remediation, temporary and permanent housing solutions, cash grants, and valuable local community services.
California Recovery Services Finder (All Fires)
- Use this tool to find state resources available to you in the wake of the January fires.
LA County Recovers (All Fires)
- Visit the counties website for information and resources on debris removal, permitting, rebuilding, cash assistance from the county, and other county resources.
City of Los Angeles Recovery Resources (Palisades & Hurst Fires)
- Visit the cities website for information on Disaster Recovery Centres, entry permits, rebuilding, assistance from city departments, and other city resources.
- FEMA Financial Assistance — 10 March 2025
- SBA Disaster Loans for Physical Damage — 10 March 2025
- LA Region Small Business Relief Fund — 12 March 2025 (Deadline Extended)
- LA Region Worker Relief Fund — 12 March 2025 (Deadline Extended)
- LA County Household Relief Grants — 12 March 2025
- Right of Entry & Opt-Out Forms — 31 March 2025
Tax Filing Deadline Extensions
- IRS Federal Tax filing deadline is extended to 15 October 2025 for individuals and businesses within the covered disaster area.
- California State Taxes filing deadline has been extended to 15 October 2025 for all Los Angeles County residents. You can learn more by going to the online press release.
- City of LA Office of Finance announced all business locations within zip codes 90402, 90272 and 90049 will be automatically granted an extension of the business tax renewal deadline to 14 April 2025.
- If you have a question about your insurance or a dispute with your insurance company, in the state of California, call the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or visit their website https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/WildfireResources.cfm for specific information related to the January 2025 wildfires.
- Top ten tips for Wildfire Claimants
- After the Fires: Tips to avoid being victimized after a Disaster Information Guides
- Don't get scammed after a disaster information guides
- Residential Property Claims Information Guides:
- The State Bar of California has complied a list of legal resources available to those impacted by the January 2025 wildfires including in securing federal aid, filing insurance claims, replacing lost legal documents, resolving landlord-tenant disputes, consumer protection matters, and more.
Do you need to replace your passport?
- If your passport has been lost or damaged due to the Los Angeles fires, you may be eligible for a free replacement. A replacement passport is valid only until the expiry date of the passport it replaces. Contact Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles to start the process. More information is available at Natural disasters | Australian Passport Office.
Do you need to renew your passport?
- If you’re not eligible for a replacement passport or you’d prefer a new passport with full validity, you can renew your passport. It costs the standard fee and is valid for a full ten or five years. Australia in the USA provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your passport while you are in the United States.
Do you need to replace a primary identification document (birth certificate, marriage certificate)?
- To replace birth certificates and identity documents, you will need to contact the births, deaths and marriages agency in your applicable state or territory and apply for the document online.
Do you need to replace your Australian citizenship certificate?
- To replace an Australian citizenship certificate that has been lost or damaged you can apply online via https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login. If you need to replace your Australian citizenship evidence due to the Los Angeles fires, you may be eligible for a fee exemption. Further information is available at the Department of Home Affairs: Get a citizenship certificate.
Do you need other official documents relating to your interests in Australia?
- You will need to make contact directly with the agency in the state or territory where you originally obtained the document. Contact the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles if you would like assistance.
Do you need a document notarised?
- The Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles provides notarial services for Australians overseas. These services include issuing Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI), certifying photos and true copies of documents, witnessing signatures, verifying identity, and legalising documents. To request a notarial service, contact the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles.
If you need consular assistance, please contact the Australian Consulate on +1 310 229 2300 or consular.losangeles@dfat.gov.au.
Outside of business hours, Australians requiring emergency consular assistance can call the 24-hour consular emergency helpline free from the US on +61 2 6261 3305.
We will continue to provide further information in the coming days.
Mental health services in the United States
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- Call +1 (800) 854 7771
- Disaster Distress Helpline
- Call or text +1 (800) 985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME to 741741
- 988 Lifeline
- Call or text 988
Mental health services in Australia
- Lifeline
- Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 (within Australia)