Queensland natural disaster assistance

If you are a small business owner or primary producer who has been affected by a natural disaster in Queensland, there may be financial assistance available, as well as a range of support services to help you recover.

Financial assistance has been activated in a number of Queensland local government areas in relation to drought conditions and the January 2013 floods.

Small businesses

Financial assistance for small businesses

Your business may be eligible for:

loan and grant package of up to $650,000 (fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees)
loan and grant package of up to $650,000 (20 or more full-time equivalent employees)
low-interest loan of up to $250,000
clean-up and recovery grant of up to $25,000.

Phone QRAA on 1800 623 946 for more details.

Support services for small businesses

If your business has been affected by a natural disaster, find out:

what your business should do after a natural disaster
how to rebuild your business after a natural disaster
how a recovery plan can help get your business running again
about disaster support and assistance for tourism businesses.

Phone the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland's Employer Assistance Line on 1300 135 822 for:

advice and support if your business has been forced to close or reduce operations
free industrial relations advice on managing your staff appropriately and meeting your obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009.

Primary producers

Financial assistance for primary producers affected by Tropical Cyclone Oswald and flooding

Primary producers may be eligible for:

Phone QRAA on 1800 623 946 for more details.

Landowner recovery assistance funding

Flood-affected farmers may be eligible for funding to help restore agricultural land, river systems and flood plains.

Find out more about the $20 million on-farm productivity and riparian recovery program, including affected areas, suitable projects, and how to apply.

Freight subsidies and Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declarations

Visit relief assistance for information about:

freight subsidies of up to $5000
applying for an IDSP declaration if you are outside one of the eligible local government areas.

Leasehold rent relief

Primary producers in flood-affected areas may be eligible for a deferral of leasehold land rent.

Deferral of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) fees

Flood-affected primary producers in selected local government areas may be eligible to defer their payment of fees to DAFF. For more information, visit flood-affected producers and rural businesses and click on the PDF under 'Step 2: Eligibility for assistance'.

Water fee relief

The Queensland Government is waiving and deferring water-related charges for irrigators in areas declared under natural disaster arrangements.

Financial assistance for primary producers affected by drought

Drought-affected primary producers may be eligible for up to $20,000 assistance each year from the Queensland Government, including:

freight subsidies on fodder and water (during drought)
freight subsidies on returning from agistment and restocking (after drought).

Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS)

Primary producers in the 13 drought-declared areas (as at 1 April 2013) can apply for DRAS:

Boulia
Burke
Carpentaria
Croydon
Cloncurry
Diamantina
Doomadgee
Etheridge
Flinders
McKinlay
Murweh
Paroo
Richmond.

Individually Droughted Property (IDP)

If you are not in a declared area but believe your property is experiencing drought conditions, you can apply for an IDP declaration.

For more information on DRAS or IDP, contact us on 13 25 23.

Support services for primary producers

If your farm has been affected by a natural disaster, find out:

what primary producers should do after a natural disaster
about disaster recovery for livestock farms, including animal welfare
about disaster recovery for crop farming
about freight subsidies and the provision of fodder and fodder drops
how to prepare for winter crops following floods
about clearing vegetation from land and watercourses
how to repair and restore your property.

Financial assistance for individuals

Emergency financial assistance

Individuals may be eligible for emergency financial assistance, including the:

Emergent Assistance Grant
Essential Household Contents Grant
Structural Assistance Grant
Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grant.

Visit Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and associated flooding or phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

Individuals may also be eligible for an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment. Visit Queensland Floods - January 2013 or phone Centrelink on 180 22 66.