Disaster Relief and Support for Australian Businesses

Businesses and communities in parts of Queensland and New South Wales are going through an extremely difficult time due to the recent rainfall and floods.

Here we are sharing information on what disaster relief payments are available in an effort to bring some comfort and assist those affected by these extreme weather events. 

Our hearts go out to the families, businesses, and whole communities who have been impacted. If you or your business is in an area that has been affected by the recent floods, please look at the disaster relief and support options below.

South East Queensland Flood Relief

A range of grants and loans have been made available to support businesses and communities impacted by the South East Queensland rainfall and flooding, 22 February – 7 March.

This support is being made available through the Australian and Queensland Government’s jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Small Businesses Support

Businesses may be eligible for financial support under the Commonwealth-state DRFA (Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements).

Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants

Up to $50,000 are available with $15,000 paid upfront and the balance paid if needed, once proof of payment is provided. This grant can be used for clean-up activities, repairs including damage to equipment, flooring, and walls, and to replace lost stock.

You can learn more here.

Disaster Assistance Loans (Essential Working Capital)

Up to $100,000 for up to 10 years at a concessional rate. This loan can be used to pay staff, creditors, rent, or rates, and purchase goods that are essential for your business such as fuel.

You can learn more here.

Disaster Assistance Loans

Disaster Assistance Loans are available to assist primary producers, small businesses, and non-profit organisations with re-establishing normal operations. Up to $250,000 for up to 10 years at a concessional rate, this loan can be used to repair or replace damaged plant, equipment, or buildings, replace stock or meet carry on costs including rents or rates.

You can learn more here.

Primary Producer Support

Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 are available with $15,000 paid upfront with evidence of damage and an additional payment of up to $60,000 if needed, once proof of expenditure is provided. This grant can be used for various clean-up and reinstatement activities including salvaging crops and repairing damaged farm infrastructure and equipment.

Please visit South East Queensland Flood Relief to learn more.

QLD Disaster Recovery Allowance

If you have lost income as a direct result of the floods in South East Queensland starting in February 2022, you and your employees may also be eligible for a short-term payment under the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

Eligibility rules include:

• being 16 or older at the time of the floods
• being an Australian resident or holding an eligible visa
• work or living in an affected Local Government Area (LGA)
• lost income as a direct result of the storms and floods
• earn less than the average Australian weekly income in the weeks after you had this income loss

Closing date: 3 September 2022

For more details, please see: Disaster Recovery Allowance

Australia Government Disaster Recovery Payment

This is a lump sum payment to help those significantly affected by a disaster. If eligible, individuals can get up to $1,000 per adult, and $400 for each child younger than 16 years old.

Please confirm if your Local Government Area (LGA) has been declared a disaster.

Closing date: 3 September 2022

For more details, please see: Disaster Recovery Payment

Storm and Flood Assistance for Individuals and Businesses in New South Wales

Disaster recovery assistance is available to businesses in eligible NSW local government areas that have been impacted by storms and floods.

If your business premises have been damaged due to storms and flooding, photographs of the visible damage may be required to assist in accessing support.

Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant - February and March 2022

If you're a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW and you've been directly impacted by storms and floods in February and March 2022, you may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.

This disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations.

You must be a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in a defined disaster area (AGRN 1012) to be eligible.

For more details, please visit: Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant

Disaster Relief Grant for Individuals

If your home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant for individuals.

Financial assistance is provided to help people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses.

For more details, please visit: Disaster Relief Grant

NSW Floods, February 2022 - Australia Government Disaster Recovery Payment

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment can help if you’ve been significantly affected by a disaster. This is a lump sum payment to help you if you’re in a Local Government Area that’s been declared a disaster.

If eligible, individuals can get up to $1,000 per adult, and $400 for each child younger than 16 years old.

Closing date: 3 September 2022

For more details, please visit: NSW - Disaster Recovery Payment

NSW Floods, February 2022 - Disaster Recovery Allowance

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is a short-term payment to help you if a disaster directly affects your income. You can get it for a maximum of 13 weeks, and the allowance will be paid from the date you started losing income as a direct result of the NSW floods starting in February 2022.

How much you get depends on your circumstances. If you’re eligible, you’ll get the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your personal circumstances.

For more details, please visit: Disaster Recovery Allowance