The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) initiative to help insurers source qualified tradespeople from across Australia and New Zealand for rebuilding efforts following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The initiative is designed to connect electricians, builders, plasterers, and roofers with insurers and their contracted builders working to restore homes and businesses in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Tradespeople interested in participating are required to submit their expertise and availability. The ICA is also working with Queensland authorities on the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) of qualifications to streamline the process for interstate and trans-Tasman workers.
The EOI process will be reviewed in three months to assess its effectiveness. Those interested can submit their applications via the ICA website.
As of March 14, insurers had received more than 53,000 claims related to ex-TC Alfred, covering home, motor, and commercial insurance. The breakdown is as follows:
ICA CEO Andrew Hall said that while insurers have mobilised resources to process claims, the EOI program aims to supplement available workforce capacity if necessary.
“It allows interstate tradespeople with the right expertise and availability to not only secure work but contribute towards the community’s ongoing recovery,” he said. “Importantly, trialling this initiative now provides the industry with a template for future, larger events when interstate surge workforces may be required.”
Ahead of the cyclone, insurers contacted more than 250,000 policyholders in potentially affected areas, providing safety guidance and claims information. Additional claims consultants were deployed, while major event response teams were activated during the peak of the disaster.
Temporary accommodation was pre-arranged for displaced policyholders, and insurers worked to strengthen their supply chains with builders and suppliers in high-risk areas.
Claims support teams have been active in impacted regions, including Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Ballina, and Tweed Heads in New South Wales, as well as Redlands, Hervey Bay, Logan, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast in Queensland.
To date, nearly $2.4 million in emergency cash payments have been distributed to approximately 6,000 policyholders to cover urgent expenses such as temporary housing and food.
Demand for tradespeople in affected regions may exceed local supply, which could lead to delays in rebuilding efforts. The ICA’s EOI process is intended to help insurers quickly source additional workers to assist with repairs.
Policyholders returning to damaged homes or businesses are advised to take photographs and videos of their property before beginning clean-up efforts. Insurers also recommend confirming policy coverage and obtaining approval before undertaking major repairs, as unauthorised work may not be reimbursed.
