I CAN’T PAY
MY BUSINESS LOAN
How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with your lender
-
Contact your lender. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.
-
Pay what you can. Talk to the lender to agree a repayment arrangement.
-
If the lender won’t agree then lodge a dispute in the free Australian Financial Complaints Authority (if the lender is a member).
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help
MY BUSINESS TAX
-
Check the ATO extensions for due dates for tax payments.
-
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.
-
Pay what you can. Make a repayment arrangement you can afford with the ATO.
-
If the ATO will not agree, you can complain to the Taxation Ombudsman.
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
UTILITIES
How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with service provider
-
Contact your service provider. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.
-
Pay what you can. Talk to the service provider to negotiate a deferral (time to pay) and/or a repayment arrangement.
-
If the service provider won’t agree, and/or is threatening disconnection, lodge a dispute with your State or Territory energy and water ombudsman.
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
RENT
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
TELCOS
How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with your telco
-
Contact your telco. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.
-
Pay what you can. Talk to the telco to negotiate a deferral (time to pay) and/or a repayment arrangement.
-
If the telco won’t agree and/or is threatening disconnection lodge a complaint with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman www.tio.com.au.
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
MY SUPPLIERS
-
Your relationship with your suppliers is important. Make contact as soon as possible to tell them what has happened.
-
Be aware that your supplier may also be affected by the bushfires.
-
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.
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help
MY STAFF
-
Work out if you need to close your business temporarily or permanently
-
Get specialist advice urgently if you are still trading and cannot pay your staff
-
Keep your staff informed
-
Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help