MY BUSINESS LOAN

How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with your lender

1. Contact your lender. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.

2. Pay what you can. Talk to the lender to agree a repayment arrangement.

3. If the lender won’t agree then lodge a dispute in the free Australian Financial Complaints Authority (if the lender is a member).

4. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help

MY BUSINESS TAX

1. Check the ATO extensions for due dates for tax payments.

2. If you cannot meet the extended due dates contact the ATO. Tell them you can’t pay by the due date because of the bushfires.

3.  Pay what you can. Make a repayment arrangement you can afford with the ATO.

4.  If the ATO will not agree, you can complain to the Taxation Ombudsman.

5. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.

UTILITIES

How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with service provider

1. Contact your service provider. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.

2. Pay what you can. Talk to the service provider to negotiate a deferral (time to pay) and/or a repayment arrangement.

3. If the service provider won’t agree, and/or is threatening disconnection, lodge a dispute with your State or Territory energy and water ombudsman.

4. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.

RENT

1. If your business/shop front/retail premises has been destroyed or severely damaged you need legal advice on whether the rent could be reduced or you can terminate the lease.

2. If your business is not damaged but you are in financial difficulty, contact your commercial lessor (the landlord). Tell them you can’t pay the rent because of the bushfires.

3. Pay what you can. Talk to your landlord to negotiate a payment arrangement for the rent. You may need to negotiate for extra time to pay your rent.

4. If the landlord won’t agree to your offer, you may be able to get support from your State/Territory government small business service.  Some of these provide a low-cost mediation service to help you negotiate. 

5. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.

TELCOS

How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with your telco

1. Contact your telco. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.

2. Pay what you can. Talk to the telco to negotiate a deferral (time to pay) and/or a repayment arrangement.

3. If the telco won’t agree and/or is threatening disconnection lodge a complaint with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman www.tio.com.au.

4. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.

MY SUPPLIERS

1. Your relationship with your suppliers is important. Make contact as soon as possible to tell them what has happened.

2. Be aware that your supplier may also be affected by the bushfires.

3. If you and your supplier cannot agree on an arrangement, get support from your State/Territory government small business service. Some of these provide a low-cost mediation service to help you negotiate.

4. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help

MY STAFF

1. Work out if you need to close your business temporarily or permanently

2. Get specialist advice urgently if you are still trading and cannot pay your staff

3. Keep your staff informed

4. Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help