Primary producers
If you're a bushfire affected farmer, fisher, forester or related rural business owner, support is available to help you recover your business.
Last Updated: 19 October 2020
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency was established to lead and coordinate a national response to rebuild communities affected by bushfires.
You can stay up-to-date on the services and assistance you may need to rebuild and recover from the bushfire on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website.
Urgent financial assistance from the government is available to bushfire affected communities. You can find information on the types of assistance available on the Disaster Assist website.
To help small businesses recover, the Australian and state governments are providing the assistance.
Grants for small businesses of up to $10,000 for eligible small businesses in selected fire-affected Local Government Areas. You can apply for a small business grant through your state government:
concessional loans of up to $500,000 for eligible small businesses (including primary producers) and non-profit organisations. You apply for a concessional loan through your state government:
Recovery grants of up to $50,000 for eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations. You apply through your state government:
The Strengthening Business service from the Entrepreneurs' Programme will help your business recover from the effects of the 2019-20 bushfires. Strengthening Business provides access to experts who'll work with you to rebuild your business. They'll work with you to strengthen the systems, operations and strategies of your business. Additionally they will connect you to the services you need to recover. Learn more about the Strengthening Business service.
You can get help filling in application forms for bushfire support from the team in your recovery centres. Find the nearest recovery centre in your state:
Business advisers and financial counselling can help you get the support and advice you need to recover your business.
If you're a bushfire affected farmer, fisher, forester or related rural business owner, support is available to help you recover your business.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is providing support to businesses impacted by the bushfires, such as giving extra time to pay or lodge tax forms and fast tracking any refunds owing to you.
The Black Summer bushfires were a traumatic event for everyone involved. It’s important that you and your employees get the right emotional support. If your business has been impacted by the bushfires, mental health support is available.
If you need to make a claim on your small business or other insurance policy, the first step is to contact your insurer.
If you're having trouble paying bills, such as your energy bill or bank payments, you should contact your retailer. Some organisations are offering help including freezes on bills and payment extensions.
If you’re facing financial hardship due to the bushfires, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) can help you with payment arrangements for your company fees.
As an employer, you have an obligation to protect the health and safety of your staff while they’re at work. You can't ask your employees to start or continue to work if it's unreasonable or unsafe. If you must work, get specific advice from your local workplace health and safety organisation.
Before you start, it's a good idea to plan what you need to do to recover your business.
Our business recovery checklist and your business emergency management and recovery plan can help you to:
If you’ve assessed the impact of the fires on your business, and decide to rebuild your business premises: