Flood Recovery and financial support for businesses

Flood recovery and financial support for businesses

June 2023

Over the past two and a half years, NSW has experienced many events, from bushfires and pandemics to storms and floods, which have significantly impacted communities across the state.

With the frequency and severity of natural disasters increasing in Australia, it has never been more important for business owners and operators to be prepared for the threat of floods, fires, and damaging weather.

If your business has been affected by severe weather and flooding, there are grants, payments and other assistance you can apply for. A Service NSW Business Concierge can provide you with guidance on eligibility criteria and available support.

Disaster Assistance Finder: Find the support that suits your circumstances by using the Disaster Assistance Finder which now enables people to identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and find out about relevant support and services.
Disaster relief loans and subsidies: Organisations or businesses impacted by a disaster may be eligible for concessional loans or subsidies. This includes loans for small businesses (up to $130,000), non-profit organisations (up to $25,000), and the Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy. For a list of Local Government Areas eligible for disaster assistance refer to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority’s Declared Natural Disasters webpage or call 1800 678 593.
Disaster recovery small business grant: If you’re a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in a defined disaster area and have been impacted by storms and floods beginning in February 2022, June 2022, or August 2022, you may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster recovery grant. The disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of operations.
Flood Property Assessment Program: Free structural assessments are available for damaged buildings in eligible Local Government Areas damaged by flooding in February and June 2022. This is an opt-in program that provides a detailed assessment report, including a comprehensive scope of repair works and estimated repair costs.
Northern Rivers medium size business grant: Organisations and businesses in the Northern Rivers impacted by storms and floods beginning in February 2022 may be eligible for the medium size business grant. This grant of up to $200,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a medium business or not-for-profit organisation. Organisations must be located in eligible Northern Rivers Local Government Areas.
Northern Rivers commercial property return to business support grant: If you're a commercial property owner in the Northern Rivers and you were directly impacted by storms and floods beginning in February to March 2022, you may be eligible for the Northern Rivers commercial property return to business support grant. This disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 will help commercial property owners pay for costs associated with the re-establishment, clean-up and reinstatement of commercial properties to allow tenants and occupants to return to business.

Were you affected by the storms and floods in 2022? Answer 7 questions for a personalised list of support options. Learn more at disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au.