In many places, the heavy rain that soaked the country's south-east during the week has eased or stopped, but for some communities, the worst may still be to come.
Thousands of residents in parts of Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales remain under evacuation orders.
Many communities face an anxious wait over the weekend as the heavy falls make their way through catchments.
The flow-on effects of the heavy rain — which fell at record-breaking levels in some areas — are continuing to unfold, with some key creeks, rivers and dams yet to peak.
Victoria
In Victoria, some of the focus has shifted to Shepparton, a regional city two hour's drive north of Melbourne and home to more than 65,000 people.
Residents there have been warned that, if major flooding occurs as the Goulburn River peaks some time over the weekend, floods could result that exceed those seen in 1974.
Such a flood could affect many thousands of residential and commercial properties.
Other towns on high alert over the weekend include Murchison, Charlton and Benalla.
Communities in Melbourne along the Maribyrnong, Yarra and Werribee rivers are also being urged to stay up to date, with warnings from authorities after about 100 properties in low-lying areas were flooded on Friday.
Dozens of warnings ranging from "Watch and Act" level to emergency evacuation orders remain in place across the state, with communities in the state's north and central parts under the greatest threat.
By late on Friday, more than 1,500 Victorians affected by floods had applied for emergency relief payments of up to $560 per adult.
The Victorian government also announced it had struck a deal with the Commonwealth to use a COVID-19 quarantine facility no longer in use to house people displaced by flooding.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, evacuation orders and flood warnings remain in place after record-breaking falls hit parts of the state's north and north-west.
Some of the hardest-hit parts of the state so far have been the towns of Latrobe and Deloraine in the state's central north.
The SES has been warning residents not to be complacent, reminding people that heavy falls making their way through catchments represented a "danger period".
While the rain has eased off after a record-breaking 398mm fell across the north, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned the big wet is "not over yet".
On Friday, more than 150 rescues took place across Tasmania.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, the Central West town of Forbes has been on high alert.
The rising Lachlan River prompted an evacuation order affecting about 600 people.
On Friday afternoon, the river was steady at 10.55m, just below the expected peak of 10.6m.
Where to find emergency assistance and information
- For emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500
- If your life is at risk, call triple-O (000) immediately
- You can find the latest New South Wales evacuation orders here, the latest Victorian evacuation orders here, and the latest Tasmanian evacuation orders here
- For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology.
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
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ABC Sydney on 702am or online
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ABC Melbourne on 774am or online
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ABC Hobart on 936am or online
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Search for a different frequency using the ABC Radio Finder.
