Available assistance

Business assistance 

Queensland businesses impacted during the South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, 22 February - 7 March 2022 may be eligible for low interest loans and grants to help them recover. 

See Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority for details on: 

Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant of up to $50,000

Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan of up to $100,000

Disaster Assistance Loan of up to $250,000 

 

Business Basics Grants Program 

Each round of the Business Basics grants program has specific information to help you prepare and apply for a grant, and if successful, manage your grant.

The Business Basics grants program provides support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practice

For details see the Business Queensland website.

 

Queensland Government disaster assistance resources

Federal Government disaster assistance - Disaster Recovery Allowance

A short term payment to help following the South East Queensland Floods in February 2022.

Requirements:

Farmers and small businesses will need to show us as many of these documents as possible:

  • profit and loss statements
  • income tax returns
  • other documents that show cash flow, such as a bank statement for businesses
  • trust or partnership tax return.
  • Call 180 22 66 to discuss options

See Services Australia for details. 

For details on event specific (exceptional circumstances) assistance see Queensland Reconstruction Authority

 

Brisbane City Council support 

See details on a range of flood relief resources for businesses including rate relief and the Community Facility Disaster Relief Payment program. 

 

Banking support

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) encourages businesses who need to support to call their bank directly to discuss available support options, which depending on their circumstances, may include:

  • A deferral of scheduled loan repayments on home, personal and some business loans for up to 3 months
  • Waiving of fees and charges, including for early access to term deposits
  • Debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable 
  • Restructuring existing loans free of the usual establishment fees 
  • Offering additional finance to help cover cash flow shortages 
  • Deferring upcoming credit card payments Emergency credit limit increases  

Read more on the ABA website.  

 

Business Council of Australia #BizRebuild vouchers

See details here on:

  • $2,000 (incl GST) Retooling Voucher
  • $500 (incl GST) Business Advisory Voucher

Read the media release

The Business Council’s natural disaster relief agency BizRebuild will work with CCIQ to deliver urgently needed assistance to flood ravaged businesses across the state.  

A summit of business owners shared their stories and insights with Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott, BizRebuild Chair Sir Peter Cosgrove and CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan in Brisbane on March 10.

 

Insurance support 

If you have property or contents insurance you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the flood. 

  • Ask your insurer for advice on actions you should take 
  • Do not discard or throw away damaged items without first consulting your insurance company 
  • Make a list of items that have been damaged and take photographs if possible 
  • Keep receipts for any emergency repair work 

For assistance with insurance contact the Insurance Council of Australia on 1800 734 621 (24 hour hotline). Find information on lodging a claim following a disaster here

For further details on insurance advice see Understand Insurance.    

 

WorkCover Queensland’s response for affected policyholders

We can assist policyholders who make contact:

  • Reviewing their estimated wages for the current year and adjusting them as appropriate. This may result in a reduction in premium or potentially an immediate refund.
  • Helping employers to access alternative and extended payment arrangements to assist them with business cashflow and continuity.

 These actions will help provide some additional support to impacted policyholders throughout the recovery period.

 Policyholders who need assistance should contact their WorkCover relationship manager or call 1300 362 128.

 See more on the WorkSafe website.

 

Business recovery – Returning after the floods  

Bussiness.gov.au provides information on what to do in an emergency and support to get back up and running including a ‘Business Recovery’ checklist available for download. 

 

Small Business Disaster Hub

Prevent, prepare, respond and recover when disaster strikes. Use these Business Queensland resources to prevent, prepare, respond, recover and communicate to get back to business sooner when disaster hits.

Choose a small business sector to learn more.

 

Looking after yourself after a disaster – Handbook  

This booklet produced by the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, beyondblue, Australian Centre for grief and bereavement and the Australian Red Cross provides information on common reactions to an extraordinary event, dealing with the emotional impact of a disaster, things to remember.  

 

Short term labor hire

IPA might have the right people for the job.

 

Mental health resources

See resources from the Queensland Mental Health Commission on responding to natural disasters. 

In a mental health crisis, call:   

  • Lifeline 13 11 14   
  • MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78   
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467   
  • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800  
  • Carers Australia 1800 242 636 
  • NewAccess for Small Business Owners program Mental Health Hotline 1300 945 301 
  • Partners in Wellbeing Small Business Mental Health Hotline 1300 375 330

Stay across what's happening locally. 


For flood assistance call SES on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call 000. 

 

See local council websites for updates

Acknowledgement of Country

Business Chamber Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands from across Queensland and the Torres Strait. We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane), the lands where our office is located and the place we meet, work and learn. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.