Immediate Flood Relief Program for Businesses

The Immediate Flood Relief Program has been designed to help support businesses that have been directly impacted by the floods in Victoria that commenced in October 2022. Under the program, there are two streams of support available for businesses.

Immediate Flood Relief Grant

Businesses that have been impacted directly by the Victorian floods are able to access a one-off grant of $5000 to cover immediate expenses. In order to access the one-off grant businesses must be located within an eligible local government area and incurred significant direct damage to their place of business, business assets, stock, or equipment.

Eligibility

Businesses that are eligible can apply for the grant to help cover the expenses incurred by direct flood damage. This includes but is not limited to the following:

Qualified tradespeople to conduct safety inspections, repair premises and internal fittings
Equipment, materials, and services needed for clean-up
Removal and disposal of debris, damaged materials, or damaged stock
Equipment, stock, and materials essential for immediately resuming operations.

In order for your business to be eligible for the grant, you must:

Be located within a local government area deemed eligible for assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement
Hold an active Australia Business Number and have held that ABN on and from 14 October 2022
Be registered for Goods and Services Tax on and from 14 October 2022
Have incurred significant direct damage from flooding to the place of business, business assets, stock or equipment.

Examples of significant direct damage from floods could include:

Property, business assets, stock or equipment directly damaged by flood water and clean-up or their replacement is now necessary
Structural damage to property, business assets, stock or equipment has occurred as a direct result of the floods and now a qualified person is required to inspect or repair affected items
The place of business is unsafe due to direct flood damage and temporary premises are required to resume business operations
Property, business assets, stock or equipment was swept away by flood water and their replacement is essential to resume business operations

How to apply

You can apply for the Immediate Flood Relief Program by clicking here. Before applying you can check all of your details are correct by using the Australian Business Register Website.

Business Relief Service

The Business Relief service has also been set up to offer a free service that offers one-on-one support from a local business relief adviser. They will be able to offer you support and guide business owners through the available Commonwealth, state and local supports available. In order to access the Business Relief Service, call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 and they will be able to connect you with business relief advisers and support.

For further information on the Immediate Flood Relief Program available for Businesses click here.

Contact our team today on 1300 4 MORRIS and speak to one of our finance specialists to see how we can assist your business.