Home Assessments | Resilient Homes Program
This section outlines what is involved in a Home Assessment as part of the Resilient Homes Program.
Home Assessment process
As part of the Resilient Homes Program, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is offering free Home Assessments to eligible homeowners.
During a Home Assessment, a representative from RA and technical experts who specialise in flood resilience will visit your home to:
- provide information about the flood risk in relation to your property, including the home’s flood level
- a general assessment your home’s current location and structure
- understand the impacts of the 2022 floods on your home
- talk to you about your individual circumstances
- identify suitable resilient strategies for your home.
The assessment is tailored to your home and individual needs and will identify a range of measures for your consideration that could make your home more flood resilient and reduce the impact of future floods. The strategies can then be taken to suitable experts, such as engineers, builders and architects, who can provide you with advice about what best suits you and your home.
You can request a support service provider to accompany you during the Home Assessment.
Home Assessment Report
After the Home Assessment, you will be provided a Home Assessment Report. In this report you will find information on the:
- options that may be suitable for your home
- flood resilience strategies and floor levels for your home
- next steps and contact details for further assistance.
Note: Flood resilience in homes involves measures to make your home more resilient such as changing flooring and raising power points to using different building materials. It does not mean your home will be able to withstand future flooding, or become flood-free.
Delivering the resilient works
Homeowners are responsible for directly engaging building professionals and contractors (for example architects, builders, engineers) to provide advice and quotes for delivering the flood resilience works at their home. This advice should be used to assess and determine whether the strategies outlined in the Home Assessment Report suits you and your circumstances.
Your Home Assessment Report can be shared with licensed building professionals or other suitable consultants to help establish advice, a clear scope of works and cost for the relevant building works from relevant experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free Home Assessments will be available to flood impacted residents who are prioritised for the:
- Resilient Measures Stream or Home Assessment stream under the Resilient Homes Program - Central West
- Home Raising or Home Retrofit streams under the Resilient Homes Program – Northern Rivers.
The Home Assessment takes approximately one hour to complete. Our team will carry out physical inspections of your home and discuss your individual needs and explain flood resilient options.
You will need to register for the Resilient Homes Program and be identified as eligible to receive a Home Assessment. You can apply for the Resilient Homes Program online or call 1800 844 085
If you are eligible for a Home Assessment, you will be contacted by an RA representative to arrange a suitable time for an inspection. We will let you know what you need to prepare ahead of the assessment. You, or a representative, will need to be available at your home on the day of the assessment.
Yes. You will receive a Home Assessment Report which outlines your home's features and strategies you can use to improve the flood resilience of your home. Each home is different and the suggestions will be specific to your home, its construction type, location and features. The Home Assessment Report is general in nature and you will need specific advice from experts before determining whether the strategies will work for you and your individual needs.
There is no cost for the home assessment.
Properties in the Central West identified for the Home Assessment stream have a lower chance than others in the region of being severely affected by future flooding, based on assessment by RA. However, flooding can still occur. The Home Assessment will provide you with options that would make your home more resilient to future flooding.
Properties in the Resilient Homes Program are prioritised based on the risk of future flooding, as well as other key factors such as impact from the 2022 floods. Eligible properties will be able to apply for a grant under the program to implement Resilient Measures.
Some properties in the Central West that are eligible to receive a free Homes Assessment may not be able to apply for a grant to carry out works under the program as they are not prioritised. However, if you believe you have exceptional circumstances that should be considered, please speak to one of the team.
Fact sheets and guidance
Find resources about the Resilient Homes Program in our publications and reports library
