Business support

If your business has been affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, there are information and support services to help you get your business back on track.

Find advice and resources to help you:

• prepare your business for natural disasters;
• respond to, and recover from, a natural disaster; and
• access financial assistance and other support.

Australian Government | Assistance for businesses affected by floods

Business.gov.au includes information on the disaster assistance services, grants, support with your taxes, Small Business Debt Helpline and more. Find out more.

State Government | Natural disaster resilience and recovery

Business Queensland includes information on financial support for small businesses and disaster relief information. Find out more.

QRIDA | Disaster assistance loans and grants for primary producers, small business and not-for-profits

Queensland businesses impacted during disaster events may be eligible for low-interest loans and grants to help them recover. You are encouraged to check regularly with Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) for updates.

Visit QRIDA’s website for guidelines and application forms for eligible primary producers, small business, and non-profit organisations. Find out more.

• Grants and loans available include:
  • extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grants (Businesses up to $50,000 / Primary Producers up to $75,000 /  Non-profit up to $50,000. Applications close 28 June 2024.
  • disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000 (concessional rates).
  • disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000.

Please contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 or email contact_us@qrida.qld.gov.au.

Tourism Business Support

A total $29.25 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program will provide support following the Tropical Cyclone Jasper event. Grants available for businesses include:

• Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant (applications closed 11 March 2024 and are under assessment) – Grants of up to $500,000 are available to businesses of all sizes that had tourism operations which were closed to trading for a minimum of 14 continuous days as a result of being isolated. The grants can be used to cover costs such as wages and salaries, fuel, rent, and supplies. Find out more.
• Tourism Recovery Assistance Grant (applications closed 31 March 2024 and are under assessment) – Grants of up to $50,000 are available for tourism businesses that employ between 20 and 200 equivalent full-time employees (FTE), to help with clean-up costs. Find out more.
• Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund (applications closed 19 April 2024) – Grants of a minimum $30,000 up to a maximum of $250,000 will be offered for eligible project costs for impacted tourism businesses to build resilience and aid their response to future flooding and natural disasters through innovative solutions and bespoke engineering projects. Projects need to be completed by 30 November 2025. Find out more.

Free mentoring for recovery and business support

The Mentoring for Growth program can give your business free access to industry experts from across Queensland who can provide insights, options and suggestions to help your business recover and grow. Find out more.

Small business wellness coaches

Access support for your mental health and wellbeing when recovering from a natural disaster. Free one-on-one wellness coaching is available to help small business owners with unique and personal business challenges, needs and opportunities. Find out more.

Small business financial counselling

Businesses experiencing or at risk of experiencing financial hardship can access free, impartial and confidential support, including cash flow planning, budgeting and insolvency advice. Find out more.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner

The Office of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides a range of advocacy services including information resolution and mediation for lease, retail tenancy, and franchise dispute assistance. Find out more.

Department of Workplace Relations

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has information and links for businesses on hiring staff, employing apprentices and financial incentives for businesses. Find out more.

Small businesses (under 15 employees) also have access to Employer Advisory Service. Find out more.

Business Queensland | Workforce resources

Business Queensland has information and resources to help planning your workforce. Find out more.

The Back to Work program offers incentive payments, small business support pool and small business short courses. Find out more.

Mental health and wellbeing

Business owners requiring mental health support should contact one of the below support services:

• Centacare Intake Community Recovery: 0467 776 553 or intakecommunityrecovery@centacarefnq.org
• Connect to Well Being: 1300 020 390 or contact@connecttowellbeing.org.au

Personal Support

Australian Government | Disaster Recovery Payment

The Disaster Recovery Payment is a lump sum payment to help people seriously affected by Queensland Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Find out more.

State Government | Disaster support and recovery

The Queensland Government has information on personal hardship assistance and housing assistance for residents affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Find out more.

Lifeline Queensland | Emotional support

Dedicated 24/7 Lifeline support service – 1800 116 671

Employment and jobs

For individuals looking for work:

• Finding a regional jobs
• Career options for over 45s
• Job opportunities for under 25s
• Support for Indigenous Australians

Employment - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government (dewr.gov.au)

Individuals can apply online for JobSeeker Income Support or for Disaster Recovery Income Support Allowance without attending Centrelink / Services Australia offices via this link: Queensland Tropical Cyclone Jasper, December 2023 - Disaster Recovery Allowance - Services Australia.