Assistance for disaster-affected businesses 

News and features – past and current

Updated 29 February 2012

Assistance is available for Australian businesses affected by natural disasters in 2011 and 2012. A range of government assistance programs are available for businesses including:

• Counselling
• Grants, loans & finance
• Insurance
• Clean up
• General business support
• Emergency contact information

Counselling

Business owners looking for hardship counselling can utilise the services in the list below.

• Lifeline Australia provides free, confidential and anonymous 24-hour telephone counselling for business owners needing emotional support. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
• beyondblue has a range of information and resources associated with depression and anxiety, and provides callers with a referral to relevant services. Call beyondblue on 1300 224 636.

Grants, loans & finance

There are a number of grants and loans available for businesses that have been affected by natural disasters.

For those businesses affected by NSW and QLD floods in 2012:

• The QLD Government Department of Communities is offering financial assistance for Queenslanders affected by floods in January – February 2012. Individuals and groups can apply.
• Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRAA) are currently in place for flood affected businesses in eligible Queensland local government areas. The NDRAA provides assistance with clean up and restoration costs and Counter Disaster Operations.
• Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRAA) are currently in place for flood affected businesses in eligible New South Wales local government areas. The NDRAA provides personal hardship and distress assistance, freight subsidies and concessional interest rate loans for primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations.
• There are a number of assistance schemes offered to NSW businesses under the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements .

For those business affected by NSW and QLD floods in 2011:

• The Disaster Assist website provides recovery assistance information, including the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) for eligible people in disaster-declared areas.
• People in flood-affected areas of Queensland and Victoria can access the Australian Government Mobile Service Centres that provide advice on the AGDRP and other Centrelink services. Access the schedules and locations of each centre on the Centrelink website.
• Small businesses operating in areas outside of mobile phone coverage may apply for the Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme .
• If your business vehicle has been written off due to flood waters in New South Wales, you may be eligible for a stamp duty refund on your replacement vehicle. More information can be found on the NSW Office of State Revenue website.
• Grants of up to $25 000 are available to assist small businesses in Queensland and Victoria with clean up and recovery efforts following flooding.
• Financial counselling services are available to Tasmanian primary producers through the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries .
• The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is allowing disaster affected businesses more time to lodge returns and statements, pay debts and have refunds fast-tracked, as well as offering additional services to businesses in need.

Insurance

Assistance is available for businesses seeking advice and information on how to make insurance claims following a natural disaster.

• The MoneySmart website provides information for businesses and individuals on natural disaster insurance and advice on making a claim.
• Legal Aid Queensland has provided a fact sheet to help Queensland businesses with claiming insurance after a natural disaster.
• Call the Financial Ombudsman Service's Floods Hotline on 1800 337 444 for help and information on financial hardship, insurance claims and other financial issues experienced as a result of flooding.

Natural disaster clean up

Assistance is available for businesses to help with the clean up after a natural disaster.

• The Workplace Health & Safety Queensland website has outlined a list of health and safety laws and tips when cleaning up after natural disasters.
• Download a copy of the Cleaning up after flooding (PDF, 0.24MB) booklet available from the Australian Red Cross.

General business support

• The Small Business Support Line is available for business owners wanting business information or referral services. You can call the Support Line on 1800 77 7275, or use the Live Chat service.
• The Australian Passport Office is replacing any current Australian passport lost or damaged due to natural disasters. Visit the Australian Passport Office website or call the Australian Passport Information Service on 13 12 32 to see if you are eligible.
• Find out what health precautions you should take when dealing with floods and other natural disasters on the Queensland Health website.
• The Fair Work Ombudsman has released a guide for flood-affected employers containing practical advice and information about work entitlements.

Emergency contact information

• Weather warning information is available through the Bureau of Meteorology website.
• If your business premises has been damaged, you can contact the New South Wales and Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.
• Local alerts are available for New South Wales and Queensland .