New Zealanders caught up in Australian floods will get help after talks between the two governments.
The Australian Government Disaster Relief Payment (AGDRP), a federal programme that included payments of $A1000 ($NZ1298) per adult and $A400 per child affected by the floods, was not available to people who arrived in Australia after February 26, 2001.
Many ex-pat New Zealanders were caught out by that.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the Australian government had made an arrangement to help those New Zealanders.
"The ex-gratia payment available to New Zealanders on the same terms as the AGDRP is an excellent outcome and I am grateful for the positive way in which the Australian government has dealt with this issue."
Details and claim forms were available on the Australian government's Centrelink website.
Mr McCully also announced $4 million in funding to help with flood relief; $3m would go to the Queensland premier's Flood Relief Fund, and $1m to the Red Cross Victorian Floods Appeal 2011 launched by the Australian Red Cross in partnership with the Victorian government.
"Australians are our closest friends and neighbours and we have a history of reciprocal support during natural disasters. We want to help them as much as we can in their time of need," Mr McCully said.
"The loss of life and property from the flooding is devastating. Whole communities have been inundated. We extend our support to those families, communities and response teams involved in the massive recovery effort.
"New Zealand's donation will support those people whose lives have been most affected by this disaster and follows the practical support provided by the 15-strong Civil Defence team during the immediate disaster response period in Queensland."
