Financial support for businesses affected by floods
If your business, community group, child care or not-for-profit has been affected by severe weather and flooding in NSW, there is financial support and other assistance you can apply for.
A range of support is available
Use the Disaster Assistance Finder to find support available to you.
For face-to-face help visit your local recovery centre.
You can also call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Grants for flood-affected businesses
Businesses in disaster-declared Local Government Areas (LGAs) are eligible for financial support.
Storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant
This recovery grant provides up to $50,000 to eligible businesses. The funds are to help pay for the costs of clean up and restoring operations.
Small Business Northern Flood Grant
Up to $10,000 is available for eligible small businesses and not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in the Northern Rivers. You must have had a minimum 40% decline in turnover in March 2022 due to flooding. This grant is not available to businesses that have received the $50,000 disaster recovery grant.
Northern Rivers medium size business grant
Medium-sized businesses and NFPs located in the Northern Rivers may be eligible for this grant. Up to $200,000 is available to help pay for the costs of clean up and restoring operations.
SafeWork small business rebate
The $1000 rebate is available to small businesses and not-for-profits with fewer than 50 full-time employees. Sole traders can also apply.
The rebate helps organisations purchase items to help clean up or improve work health and safety. To apply, you must attend an eligible SafeWork NSW event. You may alternatively watch a webinar at your local recovery centre.
2022 East Coast Floods Emergency Response Grant Program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations in flood-affected areas may be eligible for grants of up to $20,000.
Applications close 15 June 2022.
Support for Early Childhood Education and Care Services
Early Childhood Education and Care Flood Recovery Grants are available for eligible services in disaster-declared areas. This includes community preschools, day cares, multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, and Aboriginal Child and Family Centres.
Applications can be submitted by eligible services for funding up to $30,000.
These grants are to repair or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure. Funds can be used on resources or activities that have already been purchased or completed.
Applications close midnight Monday 30 May 2022.
Flood Property Assessment Program
The program provides free structural assessments of flood-impacted properties. Both insured and uninsured property owners can apply. For properties found to be beyond economic repair and uninhabitable, demolition and removal of waste will be undertaken at no cost.
Disaster relief loans
You may be eligible for a low-interest loan to help you replace and repair damage caused to property. Small businesses, NFPs and sporting clubs may apply.
Call the Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 for further details.
Large business support
Major employers in the region that have been disproportionately impacted will be able to apply for funding to recover and retain skilled jobs in local communities.
Regional NSW has commenced consultation with businesses in the Northern Rivers areas.
Supply chain support grants
These grants administered by the Rural Assistance Authority complement the 2021 $75,000 Special Disaster Grant supporting NSW's agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture industries to rebuild and recover.
Eligible primary producers need to have accessed the 2021 $75,000 Special Disaster Grant before applying for funds ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on industry sector.
Applications close 30 June 2022.
Understanding your eligibility and how to apply
To receive funds of between $15,000 to $50,000, you will need to submit evidence of payment of the relevant costs at the time of application.
Receiving some grants or loans can make you ineligible for others. You may also not be eligible if your costs can be covered another way, such as by your insurance. So, it’s important to document your circumstances and get tailored advice about what’s best for your business.
To check your eligibility, use the Service NSW Disaster Assistance Finder or read the detailed explanation of grants and loans. You can also call Service NSW for information and support on 13 77 88.
Find more information on Australian Government-funded grants on Special Disaster Assistance Guidelines (PDF, 523KB).
Get free legal advice with Legal Aid. Call 1800 801 529, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
To get financial counselling, contact your local Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Clean-up support
Clean-up and recovery grants are now available in disaster declared LGAs. These grants support removing debris and cleaning up flood-impacted businesses.
For more information, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit clean-up advice and assistance.
Help from government agencies
Revenue NSW
Revenue NSW offer a range of options based on your circumstances, including:
- extension of payment or lodgement timeframes
- lifting of licence or registration sanctions
- putting debts on short-term hold and help with hardship applications
- duty relief on a replacement vehicle, if your car was written off.
Visit Revenue NSW for more information, or call 1300 650 394.
Service NSW
You may be eligible for a refund on your vehicle registration or your licence fee. Visit Service NSW or call 13 88 77.
Australian Tax Office
The Australian Tax Office can help you with your tax or super obligations. Taxpayers in flood-affected areas will be provided with any additional time they need to meet any upcoming business activity statement obligations.
Any GST refunds taxpayers are entitled to will also be fast-tracked to free up cash flow and help fund recovery.
Find out more on their website or call the emergency assistance line on 1800 806 218.
Flood assistance from banks, financial services and legal providers
Ask how your bank can help
Australia’s banks have announced options to defer loan repayments for up to 3 months for customers affected by floods in NSW.
Additionally, some banks are offering small business customers in NSW from flood-impacted postcodes grants of up to $3000 or grants of up to $10,000 to help with expenses and repairs.
Your bank may also be able to assist you in other ways, such as:
- restructuring loans
- waiving fees and charges
- expediting insurance claims.
Contact your bank about how they can assist you.
Support from your telco
Telephone and internet service providers are offering relief for customers affected by floods. You can apply by filling out a form with Telstra or Optus or contact your provider to find out more.
National debt hotline
The National Debt Hotline offers free and confidential financial counselling and resources. Call 1800 007 007.
Insurance and legal help
For free legal advice, call Legal Aid on 1800 801 529.
For help with your insurance claim, call the Insurance Council of Australia disaster hotline on 1800 734 621.
More information is available on legal and insurance support for people affected by floods.
Support to repair community, arts and cultural centres
$100 million has been allocated by Commonwealth and NSW Governments for help with repair and reconstruction of community facilities and assets, such as:
- libraries
- playing fields and courts
- playgrounds
- parks
- youth and senior facilities.
This funding is available under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. For further information, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Aboriginal community infrastructure repair
$50 million has been allocated by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments for:
- the repair and reconstruction of Aboriginal community infrastructure
- access needs owned by Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
For further information, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or find face-to-face support at your local recovery centre.