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$10,000 grants for eligible small businesses impacted by the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass from March 2026.
Key information
- Status: Opening soon
- Grant amount: Up to $10,000
- Application opens: 22 June 2026
- Application closes: 22 January 2027, 4:00 pm
Program objective
The program aims to provide targeted financial support to eligible small businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley, and Hartley Vale that have experienced a loss of turnover as a result of the Great Western Highway closure.
This program is administered by Rural Assistance Authority.
This program is funded by NSW Treasury.
Eligibility
The grant will be available to eligible small businesses operating in the towns and localities of Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale, within the Blue Mountains and Lithgow regions.
Program funding is limited and early applications are encouraged. Applications will close on Friday 22 January 2027 at 4pm (AEDT), or earlier if all available funds are exhausted.
To be eligible for an initial payment of $5,000, the business must:
- be physically located in the eligible area
- be registered for GST and hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
- employ fewer than 20 full-time staff
- have an aggregated annual turnover of no more than $10 million for the financial year
- demonstrate an intention to continue operating within the same area.
To be eligible for the full $10,000 grant, applicants must:
- demonstrate a decline in revenue of 40% or more due to the closure of the Great Western Highway.
Please refer to the Program Guidelines (PDF 535.09KB) for detailed eligibility criteria.
Assistance available
Eligible small businesses may receive up to $10,000 in funding.
Approved applicants will receive an initial payment of $5,000.
A further $5,000 will be paid after submission and verification of the required documentation demonstrating at least a 40% decline in revenue attributable to the closure of the Great Western Highway.
What your application needs to include
All applications must be submitted via the RAA Portal, which requires an active RAA Account.
To ensure a smooth application process, we recommend setting up an RAA Account now.
Registering early means you’ll be ready to apply as soon as the program opens.
When you submit your application, you will need to upload:
- your Business Activity Statement (BAS) for the period April to June 2025
- evidence of lodgement of your BAS with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- evidence of the business’ physical address
- evidence of bank account details to use for approved grant payments.
Note:When submitting a claim for the remaining $5,000, you will be required to upload your BAS for the period April to June 2026 as well as evidence of lodgement with the ATO.
You can download the full guidelines:
See the Rural Assistance Authority website.
Prepare your application with this checklist
We encourage impacted businesses to prepare early:
Applications open at 10am on Monday 22 June 2026.
Funding is limited.
Applications will be assessed in order of receipt to ensure equity and fairness.
Submitting your application early will give you the best chance of accessing support.
Start the application
All applications must be submitted through the RAA’s online portal.
If you don’t already have an RAA Account, you will need to create one before you can access the portal. You can find step‑by‑step instructions for setting up an account on the RAA Portal page.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Executive Director Assets, Grants and Lending, Enabling Services Group, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
You will be notified in writing if your application is approved. Your initial payment will then be made to the bank account provided in your application within 10 business days of the approval notification. You will also be advised of the process to submit a claim for the remaining funds.
Support and contact
Website: www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Phone number: 1800 678 593 (free call)
Email: rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au