Storm and flood assistance for businesses 22 March 2021
Published on 23 March 2021
Disaster recovery assistance is available to businesses in eligible NSW local government areas (LGAs) that have been impacted by the storms and floods from 10 March 2021.
If your business premises have been damaged in the recent storms and flooding, please take photographs of the visible damage as soon as it is safe to do so, to assist in accessing support in the future.
Disaster declared local government areas
Government support is available in local government areas that have been included in natural disaster declarations due to the heavy storms and flooding in NSW from 10 March 2021 onwards. Assistance includes concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations.
Visit Natural Disaster Declarations 2020 - 2021 to view a list of disaster declared LGAs.
Business loans and financial assistance
The range of measures available to businesses include the following.
Primary producers
Primary producers may be eligible for urgent loans at a concessional interest rate and transport subsidies for the carriage of livestock, fodder and supplements for dairy cattle. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website Rural Assistance Authority Disaster Assistance for more information or call 1800 678 593.
Small businesses
Urgent loans are available at a concessional interest rate to eligible small businesses. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website Rural Assistance Authority Disaster Assistance for more information or call 1800 678 593.
Non-profit organisations
Loan assistance is available to churches and voluntary non-profit organisations for the restoration of essential facilities. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website Rural Assistance Authority Disaster Assistance for more information or call 1800 678 593.
Sporting clubs
A grant or a concessional fixed rate loan is available for sporting and recreation clubs and associations for clean-up, removal of debris and/or restoring essential facilities.
To access an application for grant assistance, contact NSW Treasury by email at natural_disasters@treasury.nsw.gov.au.
To learn more about loan assistance, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or (02) 6391 3000, visit Rural Assistance Authority Disaster Assistance or email rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au.
Legal support
Businesses can contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to discuss legal support that may be available from Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres and other free legal assistance services in your area.
Legal Aid NSW lawyers may be able to provide free legal advice to businesses affected by disasters on a range of issues including insurance, tenancy, credit and debt problems. Visit Legal Aid NSW for more information.
Insurance assistance
Guide to making an insurance claim
The NSW Small Business Commissioner’s quick guide to making an insurance claim can help businesses through the claims process to get paid quickly and smoothly after a disaster or disruption. Visit Small Business NSW Quick Guide to Making Insurance Claims.
Insurance Council of Australia
The Insurance Council of Australia may be able to assist businesses who have queries relating to insurance. Visit Insurance Council of Australia or call 1800 734 621.
Mental health support
24/7 telephone services
There is 24/7 help available on the following numbers:
Online services and resources
Business guides and resources
Business guide to recovering from disaster
“Get back to business” by the NSW Small Business Commissioner is a step-by-step guide for business owners dealing with a disaster. The guide provides information to help businesses from the moment disaster hits, to the days, weeks and months ahead. Visit Get back to business - a guide to recovering from disaster to learn more or download a copy.
General business support
Telstra assistance package
Telstra has announced a disaster assistance package for its residential and small business customers who have lost services following the severe storms and major flooding across eastern parts of New South Wales.
The package includes mobile call diversion, a boost to data and free calls as well as reconnection support to those impacted across the New England, North Coast & Mid North Coast, as well as the Newcastle, Hunter & Central Coast regions.
Call 1800 888 888 for more information.
Personalised business support
Business Concierge Service
The Business Concierge Service can help you in:
- identifying what support is available for you
- completing any financial relief application forms that are relevant to your situation.
Our business concierges will be on board our Mobile Service Centres and at Disaster Recovery Centres in impacted areas, or you can call 13 77 88.
Business Connect
Business Connect provides professional advisors, all of whom have experience in running their own small business. They'll be able to help you with:
- developing a customised recovery strategy
- managing your cashflow
- accessing finance including grants and loans
- marketing your business to reach new customers
- connecting to other government support and local professional services.
You can select an advisor and book an appointment online, or call 1300 134 359.