Funding for commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders impacted by the algal bloom

Overview

Eligible businesses can apply for an immediate initial payment of $25,000 by demonstrating, in any consecutive 3-month period from 1 April 2025 to 28 February 2026, either:

• the closure of your harvest area for more than 1 month as a result of a direction by PIRSA due to elevated levels of brevetoxin
• a decline in catch/harvest of 30% or more, compared to the corresponding 3-month period in the year prior
• that you have been approved for a licence fee waiver under the Algal Bloom Fee Relief Program.

Businesses that have experienced a decline in business turnover of 30% (relative to a comparable period in the year before), may be eligible for additional payments, calculated as follows:

• $25,000 if business turnover in 2023-24 was above $200,000
• $50,000 if business turnover in 2023-24 was above $400,000
• $75,000 if business turnover in 2023-24 was above $600,000.

Further payments may also be available for businesses continuning to experience financial hardship and ato help retain existing employees.

Check if you can apply

To be eligible, businesses must:

• be a legal entity established in Australia
• be a SA commercial fisheries or aquaculture licence holder
• have an active Australian business number (ABN) as at a 1 January 2025
• be registered for goods and services tax (GST) as of 29 July 2025
• demonstrate minimum business turnover of $75,000 in financial year 2023-24 or 2024-25
• have an Australia-wide grouped payroll not greater than $10 million in 2024-25
• derive at least 75% of business turnover directly from commercial activities under the commercial fisheries or aquaculture licence(s).