Aussies claim nearly $100m in flood, cyclone aftermath

Disaster declarations covered nearly 70 per cent of Australia's population. 

The joint federal and state governments disaster recovery funding arrangements have been activated by 305 local government areas since July, with the Commonwealth committing to cost share up to $1.8 billion.

Nearly $2.7 billion in joint funding has already been provided.

There were more than 30 requests for non-financial support following the floods and cyclone which resulted in the deployment of the defence force and aircraft.

Specialist personnel were also dispatched to Western Australia to help with the search of a lost radioactive capsule as well as to Turkey to assist with search and recovery after the devastating earthquake. 

National Emergency Management Agency head Brendan Moon said the bureau was also looking ahead to future disasters. 

It includes increasing investment in risk reduction through the government's $1 billion disaster ready fund. 

"We're identifying and understanding our vulnerabilities by forging partnerships with industries like the insurance sector," he told senators on Monday.

"We're expanding our emergency management workforce by exploring and investing in alternative workforce models." 

Labor frontbencher Murray Watt said the cyclone hitting Norfolk Island and New Zealand's North Island were a timely reminder of why Australia needed to be disaster ready. 

Senator Watt has commissioned a review into the funding regime.

"While we are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with communities through response and recovery, we must ensure that the money available to individuals and communities in the immediate aftermath is fit-for-purpose."

The review is being led by former bushfire recovery chief Andrew Colvin.