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
The Bushfire Affected Small Business Rebuild package offers a grant of $10,000 to businesses that have been affected either directly or indirectly by the bushfires.
Is your business still viable?
Can your business recover?
You may need to work out whether your business is still viable. You can do this by:
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Talking to your accountant
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Use the Australian Taxation Office’s business viability assessment tool
Small Business Rebuild Grant
What is the grant for?
The government recommends that the money be used on:
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meeting ongoing business costs, including utility bills, salaries and rent;
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seeking financial advice to help your business to recover;
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improving the viability of your business in the new circumstances;
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developing and growing your business through marketing and communications activities; or
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improvements to make your business more resilient to future disasters.
How do I apply?
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Small business owners in Victoria need to call 1800 560 760 -
Small business owners in New South Wales need to call 13 77 88
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Small business owners in South Australia call 1800 302 787
You can get help to fill in the application forms from staff working in Recovery Centres around the three states.
The staff in these centres can:
- help you fill in forms
- explain the assistance on offer, and
- answer questions to help you understand the processes.
To find your nearest Recovery Centre:
Speak to one of our financial counsellors
If you cannot get a grant, or you’re feeling overwhelmed, call us on 1800 413 828 to speak with one of our small business financial counsellors.
Further details are available on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website at www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/recovery-assistance/small-business
Are you eligible?
You must be able to show that your business has experienced a 40 per cent drop in revenue over a three-month period, compared to the previous year, as a result of the bushfires
The specific local government areas are:
Victoria:
- East Gippsland
- Towong
- Alpine
New South Wales
- Snowy Valleys
- Snowy Monaro
- Eurobodalla
- Shoalhaven
- Bega Valley
- Blue Mountains
- Lithgow
- Wingecarribee
- Port Macquarie
- Clarence Valley
- Queanbeyan
- Mid Coast
- Wollondilly
- Kempsey
- Richmond Valley
- Nambucca
South Australia
- Kangaroo Island
The Small Business Rebuild Grant is available for small businesses in specific local government areas in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.