Additional Flood Support available to businesses
TAX RELIEF
- The ATO is offering assistance with meeting tax obligations for businesses impacted by floods. You can also phone the ATO Emergency support line on 1800 806 218 to see what support is available in your circumstances.
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Support-in-difficult-times/Natural-disaster-support/Flood-support/
REVENUE NSW
- If you are or have been impacted by the recent floods and are having difficulty managing your obligations with Revenue NSW, there are a range of options we can offer to assist you based on your specific circumstances including:
- extending payment or lodgement time frames
- arranging payment plans
- lifting licence or registration sanctions
- putting debts on short term hold
- assisting with hardship applications
- considering the emergency situation when assessing requests for review.
https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/news-media-releases/natural-disaster-relief
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS – DISASTER ASSIST
- The joint Australian, state and territory governments' Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) provide a range of financial assistance to the natural disaster-declared areas in each state or territory. To explore more recovery assistance and arrangements, visit NSW East Coast Flooding (1 April 2024 onwards) (disasterassist.gov.au)
RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR
- RFCSNR provide free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert support
to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses. Funded by the Australian Government and New South Wales Government.
Visit Home - Rural Financial Counselling Service (rfcsnr.org.au) or call 1800 344 090
Email Matthew Nicholson: hawkesbury@rfcsnr.org.au
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
- Emergency management of floods and storms - Floods and storms (nsw.gov.au)
- E: flood.recovery@dpi.nsw.gov.au P: 0448 077 684 W: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/rrss
LEGAL SUPPORT
- Businesses can contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to discuss legal support that may be available from Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres and other free legal assistance services in your area.
Legal Aid NSW lawyers may be able to provide free legal advice to businesses affected by disasters on a range of issues including insurance, tenancy, credit and debt problems. Visit https://www.clcnsw.org.au/legal-help-flood-affected-communities-nsw-2022 more information.
INSURANCE ASSISTANCE
- Insurance Council of Australia - The Insurance Council of Australia may be able to assist businesses who have queries relating to insurance.
Visit https://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/ or call 1800 734 621.
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AND DEMOLITION GRANTS (PAD)
Free structural assessments and demolition for damaged primary production properties. Register for the Flood Property Assessment Program - Apply for the Disaster Relief Grant | Service NSW
CLEAN-UP ASSISTANCE
Help for businesses in disaster declared LGAs to clear debris from inside and around their property, if it prevents safe restoration or access.
Flood clean-up assistance and advice | NSW Government
HELP FROM YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
- Flood-affected residents of New South Wales may also be granted loan deferrals or reduced payment arrangements by their financial institution for some business loans depending on their circumstances. Contact your financial institution for further details.
HELP FROM YOUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER
- Optus has set up a dedicated phone number for flood-affected customers: 1800 507 581 More information: Customers impacted by floods (optus.com.au)
- For Telstra’s disaster assistance Call 1800 888 888 or visit their disaster relief page at Telstra Disaster relief | Disaster Support
GENERAL BUSINESS SUPPORT
The Business Concierge service offers ongoing, tailored help for NSW businesses impacted by storms and floods.
Business Connect provides professional advisors, all of whom have experience in running their own small business. They'll be able to help you with:
- Access to storms and floods support
- accessing finance including grants and loans
- connect to services and advice
You can book an appointment online at https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/concierge or call 13 77 88 Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm
BUSINESS GUIDE TO RECOVERING AND PREPARING FOR DISATER
- “Get back to business” by the NSW Small Business Commissioner is a step-bystep guide for business owners dealing with a disaster. The guide provides information to help businesses from the moment disaster hits, to the days, weeks and months ahead. Visit Get back to business - a guide to recovering from disaster | NSW Small Business Commissioner to learn more or download a copy.
- “Get Ready Business: Five step guide to preparing for disaster”, this free toolkit by the NSW small business commissioner has been developed to help you get your business ready for disasters in five simple steps. To learn more or download a copy, visit Get Ready Business: five step guide to preparing for disasters | NSW Small Business Commissioner
DISASTER RECOVERY
- Over the past few years, the NSW Government has introduced a number of planning initiatives to support families, businesses and communities across the state to rebuild and recover following natural disasters.
Information on these initiatives and other general guidance material that may assist you in your emergency response work, including returning to your property, cleaning up and rebuilding your home are provided below.
Disaster Recovery - (nsw.gov.au)
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
There is 24/7 help available on the following numbers
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
- NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
More information can be found here:
https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/get-help/mental-health/mental-health-small-business
LOCAL RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES
- Workplace Advice Line – 13 29 59
- Free to all businesses within NSW for the next 4 weeks who have been impacted by the current flood disaster
- Opening Hours - Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm
- Strengthening Business 13 28 46
- Strengthening Business is a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that connects you with experts to make your business stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future
Opening Hours – Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm across Australia
NATIONAL DEBT HOTLINE
- The National Debt Hotline offers free and confidential financial counselling and resources. Call 1800 007 007 or visit https://ndh.org.au/
AGRICULTURAL ADVICE – LOCAL LAND SERVICES
- For livestock animal assessments, veterinary support and agricultural advice, contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline — 1800 814 647.
The Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline is currently operating from 8 am to 6 pm. If you call outside of these times, please leave a message including your contact details and you will receive a return call.
https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/emergency-and-biosecurity/floods