Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – Small Business

This program aims to provide an exceptional circumstances grant to small business owners to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of small businesses that have suffered direct damage as a result of an eligible disaster.

The objective of this assistance measure made under agreements between the Commonwealth and State Governments, is to support communities to recover after an eligible disaster.

The Minister for Fire and Emergency Services has activated North and Far North Queensland Monsoon Trough 25 January - 14 February 2019 for the following disaster areas:
- Cloncurry Shire Council
- Flinders Shire Council
- McKinlay Shire Council
- Richmond Shire Council
- Townsville City Council

Grants up to a maximum of $50,000 is available as follows:
- Initial grant up to a total of $25,000: To assist with cleaning and reinstatement costs immediately following the disaster event, supported by evidence of damage eg photographs and/or quotes or estimates.
- Subsequent grant up to a further $25,000: To assist with additional cleaning and reinstatement costs must be supported by evidence of damage, invoices, proof of payment and insurances finalised.

Multiple applications can be made up to the maximum amount available.

Eligible applicants must:
- Be a primary producer, small business owner, or non-profit organisation.
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the eligible disaster.
- Own a small business located in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster that has suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster.
- Have been engaged in carrying on the small business when affected by the eligible disaster.
- Be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application.
- Intend to re-establish the small business in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible costs include:
- Engaging a tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises or equipment.
- Purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials to clean a property, premises or equipment.
- Employing a person to clean a property, premises or equipment if:
a) The cost would not ordinarily have been incurred in the absence of the eligible disaster.
b) The cost exceeds the cost of employing a person to clean the property, premises or equipment that would ordinarily have been incurred in the absence of the eligible disaster.
- Removing and disposing of debris or damaged goods and material.
- Repairing a building or repairing or replacing fittings in a building.
- Any of the following:
a) Replacing lost or damaged stock if the replacement is essential for immediately resuming operation of the small business.
b) Leasing temporary premises for the purpose of resuming operation of the small business.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- For repairs to a building the applicant lets to a person for residential or commercial purposes, unless the applicant lets the property in the course of operating a business (superannuation funds and personal investment vehicles are not regarded as businesses).
- If the small business is entitled to receive an amount under a policy of insurance for the relevant costs claimed.
- For loss of income as a result of the eligible disaster.