Grants and financial assistance for bushfire-impacted businesses

Financial assistance and support including grants, rebates, payment arrangements, fee waivers, and financial counselling services. 

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Grants

Small business bushfire recovery support grant

Applications have closed for the NSW small business bushfire support grant of $10,000.

If you have questions about this grant, please call us on 13 77 88.

Small business and not-for-profit organisations bushfire recovery grant

Applications have closed for the NSW bushfire recovery grant for directly impacted small businesses of up to $50,000.

If you have questions about this grant, please call us on 13 77 88.

ASIC

If you are facing hardship or severe disruption as a result of a natural disaster (such as drought, cyclone, flood, bushfire) and are finding it difficult to pay fees, you may be able to make payment arrangements with ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission). In some cases, they may also waive your fees.

Visit ASIC natural disaster relief for more information and to access the online application form.

Bushfire legal aid scheme

Small business owners and farmers who are managing legal issues related to the 2019–20 bushfire events may be eligible for funding to assist with costs under the Australian Government’s Bushfire legal aid scheme.

Applications can be made through your private lawyer. For more information, visit Legal Aid NSW.

For free legal assistance for bushfire-related legal issues, visit Justice Connect.

Financial counselling

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) is a free, confidential service that gives individual support to regional small businesses that are experiencing or at risk of financial hardship due to bushfires.

Visit the RFCS website.

Financial difficulty

If you’ve lost your business or cannot work in your business due to the bushfires, or you’re a primary producer who has been impacted, contact your financial providers as soon as possible to let them know your situation.

If you believe your situation is not being given genuine consideration, contact AFCA for help.

Financial institutions

Banks offer help to customers affected by a natural disaster. This could include financial assistance packages, deferred loans, waived fees and grants.

If you are facing financial difficulty, contact your bank as soon as you can.

For a list of banks and contact details, visit the Australian Banking Association.

Indigenous Business Australia

Indigenous Business Australia provides economic development opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through:

  • loans and financial services
  • business finance and partnerships.

Find out about assistance available:

Payroll tax

All wages paid or payable to the following employees are exempt from payroll tax:

  • volunteer firefighters
  • emergency responders (SES).

For more information, visit Revenue NSW or call 1300 139 815.

Planning Reform Fund and BASIX Certificate fees

Planning Reform Fund and BASIX Certificate fees will be waived on all development applications related to homes damaged or destroyed in the recent bushfires.

Fire-affected property owners can also arrange for a BASIX Certificate to be issued free of charge. 

For more information, visit the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. 

SafeWork

SafeWork is offering rebates to small businesses and sole traders who buy and install equipment that makes their workplace safer.

For more information visit SafeWork NSW.

Last updated: 14 June 2022