Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries
Last Updated: 21 October 2020
Free financial counselling for small regional businesses
As part of this funding, the government has committed more than $4.7 million to provide small regional businesses affected by COVID-19 with access to free and confidential financial counselling.
Learn more about financial counselling for small regional business on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.
COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund
The Government has set aside an initial $1 billion allocation to support those regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of coronavirus. Programs under the fund are supporting industries including:
- tourism
- aviation and transport
- agriculture and fisheries
- education
- the arts
How the fund works
The Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerial Advisory Group consider submitted proposals.
Funding is through existing programs where possible to ensure support is provided quickly. New funding mechanisms are established where there is a critical need.
Programs are administered by the department responsible for the relevant sector.
What kinds of support are available?
This depends on the program but may include:
- fee or levy relief – applied through existing mechanisms
- increasing payments through existing grant programs
- targeted new programs to support the needs of a sector
- free financial counselling
