Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned that the flood crisis in Queensland is far from over, warning there are "dark days ahead".
"The nation needs to brace itself for the fact… the death toll is likely to rise," Ms Gillard says.
The death toll from flash flooding currently stands at eight, but scores of others are missing, and authorities warn more bodies may be recovered as search and rescue efforts increase.
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Ms Gillard says "difficult weather conditions" are continuing in the state of Queensland.
The Prime Minister says she has been liaising with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, and has offered her the assistance of the defence force.
Ms Gillard says she will not travel to the state in the short-term as a search and rescue efforts are paramount.
'This is not the right time for visiting," she says.
The PM announced a number of nations around the world have offered assistance to the Australian government in the wake of the crisis. These countries include the US, China, Indonesia, East Timor and international bodies like the UN and EU.
Ms Gillard says the federal government has taken up the offer from New Zealand's emergency services to send personnel to flood-affected parts of Queensland.
A number of NZ personnel have touched down in Brisbane already, she says.
