GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANTS
The grants are funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, a joint initiative between the federal government and the affected states.
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Grants of up to $50,000 are available.
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The rules for the grants vary depending where your small business is located.
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You will need evidence of damage such as photos or direct impact such as invoices.
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You must continue operating your small business in the same area.
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You can get help from us to apply by calling 1800 413 828
I CAN’T PAY
MY BUSINESS LOAN
How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with your lender
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Contact your lender. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.
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Pay what you can. Talk to the lender to agree a repayment arrangement.
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If the lender won’t agree then lodge a dispute in the free Australian Financial Complaints Authority (if the lender is a member).
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help
MY BUSINESS TAX
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Check the ATO extensions for due dates for tax payments.
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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.
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Pay what you can. Make a repayment arrangement you can afford with the ATO.
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If the ATO will not agree, you can complain to the Taxation Ombudsman.
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
UTILITIES
How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with service provider
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Contact your service provider. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.
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Pay what you can. Talk to the service provider to negotiate a deferral (time to pay) and/or a repayment arrangement.
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If the service provider won’t agree, and/or is threatening disconnection, lodge a dispute with your State or Territory energy and water ombudsman.
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
RENT
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
TELCOS
How to negotiate a repayment arrangement with your telco
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Contact your telco. Tell them you can’t pay because of the bushfires.
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Pay what you can. Talk to the telco to negotiate a deferral (time to pay) and/or a repayment arrangement.
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If the telco won’t agree and/or is threatening disconnection lodge a complaint with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman .
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help.
MY SUPPLIERS
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Your relationship with your suppliers is important. Make contact as soon as possible to tell them what has happened.
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Be aware that your supplier may also be affected by the bushfires.
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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.
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help
MY STAFF
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Work out if you need to close your business temporarily or permanently
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Get specialist advice urgently if you are still trading and cannot pay your staff
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Keep your staff informed
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Call us for advice on 1800 413 828 if you need help