According to new federal fiscal analysis, natural disasters lost $2.2 billion in economic losses in the six months of 2025, mainly slow retail and household spending.

Wild weather has repeatedly hit Australia's east coast this year.

The analysis period covered the cyclone Alfred, the first to hit southeast Queensland in 50 years and was associated with flooding.

It also includes the impact of severe flooding in NSW hunters and coastal areas last month. The disaster caused flood damage to about 10,000 buildings, an estimated 1,000 uninhabitable and claimed five lives.

Outback and North Queensland also flooded this year.

The Ministry of Finance expects most of the direct losses of economic activity to take place in the March quarter.

Some data for the March quarter show that retail trade and household spending were most affected due to the disaster.

According to a U.S. Treasury analysis, Queensland's nominal retail trade fell 0.3% in February and 0.4% in March. Household spending was flat, with Queensland falling 0.2%.

A quarter of the country accounts throughout March will be released on Wednesday.

"The impact of humanity on us is the most important, but the economic cost is also very important, and we will see that in our national account on Wednesday," said Jim Chalmers, Treasurer.

“The government will provide people in disaster areas as if they were with each other.

“Just like we are in Queensland and northern NSW, we have activated disaster assistance to hunters and the Mid-North Coast region in NSW.”

The economic progress Australians have made in reducing inflation, debt and unemployment means “we are in a stronger position when communities need it most”, the treasurer said.

The federal government has activated several rounds of disaster payments.

Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the government plans to fund projects aimed at improving readiness and resilience to protect communities in the event of a disaster.

“We are committed to funding support to increase resilience, adaptability and readiness,” she said. “Our Disaster Preparation Fund initiative will provide another $200 million in investment in 2025-26.”

McBen said she had been on the ground in New South Wales, where she saw “the possible impact of the disaster” and had been meeting with small businesses and major producers “threateningly hit”.

“Working closely with governments at all levels to ensure support is my priority,” she said.

McBen said the federal government will "continue to work with New South Wales on any other request for funding".

“For many of these people, this is the cumulative impact of many events and we understand that,” she said.

"That's why in the next few days the camera and lights appear in the area. It's going to be days, weeks and months and we're going to be with these communities."