UPDATE: THE Prime Minister will visit Queensland as the federal government steps up assistance to the flood-ravaged state.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said federal authorities are working at every level with the state to help people get through the disaster.

Ms Gillard said a massive C17 transport aircraft has now been added to a fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and two C130 Hercules aircraft evacuating patients from Bundaberg Hospital to Brisbane.

As well 100 defence force personnel have been deployed to the city.

The Hercules are flying patients into Brisbane and returning to Bundaberg with essential supplies while the huge C17 will transport heavy equipment needed by Queensland Fire and Rescue and the ambulance service.

Ms Gillard said the federal and state governments were working well together.

"I wish I could put this differently but the truth is our systems . . . have been tried and tested time and time again because we've had to face so much in Queensland so we know how to work together - we know how to do it well," she told the ABC.
Disaster funding is already in place.

"Working with the state government, we've commenced the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements which are active in 46 local government areas," the prime minister said.

Ms Gillard is expected to visit the region in coming days.