Queensland natural disaster assistance

Small business disaster relief

Current financial support for small businesses

Northern and Central Queensland monsoon and flooding (20 December 2022 – 30 April 2023)

Small businesses in eligible local government areas may be able to access:

• extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grants of up to $50,000
• disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000 (concessional rates)
• disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000.

You or your employees may be able to access the disaster recovery allowance if you've lost income.

Southern Queensland flooding (May 2022)

Small businesses in the Balonne, Gympie, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Somerset, Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Western Downs local government areas may be eligible for:

• extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grants of up to $50,000
• disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000
• disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000.

South East Queensland rainfall and flooding (February 2022)

Small businesses in South East Queensland local government areas may be eligible for:

• extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grants of up to $50,000
• disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000
• disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth flooding (7–10 January 2022)

Small businesses in the Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gympie, North Burnett and South Burnett local government areas may be eligible for:

• disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000
• disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000.

Central, Southern and Western Queensland rainfall and flooding (10 November–3 December 2021)

Small businesses in the Goondiwindi local government area may be eligible for:

• disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000.
• disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000.

More assistance for small businesses

• Find a list of current disaster assistance on the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website or phone 1800 623 946.
• Visit the Small business disaster hub for resources and use our handy app to help you prepare and protect your business for disasters and emergencies.
• Check if your business is eligible for state land rent and hardship assistance.
• Learn how we can help with your tax and royalty obligations after a natural disaster.
• Find natural disaster support from the Australian Taxation Office.
• Learn about disaster support and assistance for tourism businesses.
• Find financial counselling including the Small Business Financial Counselling Service for small businesses in southern Queensland, (phone 1300 732 777) or North Queensland (phone (07) 4652 5669).
• Learn about BizRebuild, the Business Council of Australia's disaster recovery program.
• Recognise scams and dodgy traders relating to natural disasters.
• Search the South East Queensland rainfall and flooding register to find a licensed contractor working in your local area who can help with clean-up or repairs.
• Find advice on flood-related pay and leave entitlements for you and your employees from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Employer Assistance Line – phone 1300 731 988 for the Business Chamber Queensland's employer assistance line, to get:

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

North Queensland flood support

Businesses affected by the North Queensland flood in January and February 2019 can access in-person support from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training North Queensland regional office, located at Level 1, 187 Stanley Street, Townsville. Email sbrc@desbt.qld.gov.au to make an appointment.

Medium to large businesses

Medium to large businesses who have been affected by the 2021–22 disaster season can apply for a concessional loan between $250,000 and $5 million to support their recovery.

Primary producer disaster relief

Current financial support for primary producers

You may be eligible for recovery assistance (grants, loans and freight subsidies) for the following disaster events:

• Northern and Central Queensland monsoon and flooding (20 December 2022 – 30 April 2023)
• Southern Queensland flooding (6–20 May 2022)
• Northern and Central Western Queensland rainfall and flooding (21 April – 12 May 2022)
• South East Queensland rainfall and flooding (22 February – 5 April 2022)
• Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth flooding (2–10 January 2022)
• Central, Southern and Western Queensland rainfall and flooding (10 November – 3 December 2021).

Find drought and natural disaster advice for agribusiness.

Mental health and wellbeing support

• Find mental health and wellbeing resources for businesses.
• Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for phone and online counselling and support.
• Learn about personal and mental health support during and after a disaster.

Also consider...

• Find out what your business should do after a natural disaster including advice on insurance and cleaning up.
• How to rebuild your business after a natural disaster including re-establishing premises, assessing finances and managing staff.
• Visit Community support and recovery to find personal and family assistance and support or phone 1800 173 349.
• Find out about general Queensland Government emergency hardship and other assistance grants if you've been affected by a natural disaster.
• Search the Australian Government's GrantConnect or Grants and programs finder tool for grants and assistance.