The COVID-19 pandemic adds further strain to bushfire affected communities, many of which were already under pressure from drought or flood events.
A list of Australian Government support, and how to access it, is below.
It includes bushfire, drought, flood and COVID-19 assistance.
This list focuses on the needs of primary producers.
- See combined list of help for individuals
- See combined list of help for small businesses and not-for-profits
All of these measures have eligibility criteria, so check out the detail to see if they match your circumstances.
Visit australia.gov.au for detail on the Australian Government response to COVID-19.
For state and territory government assistance with COVID-19 visit australia.gov.au and follow the links at the bottom of the page.
On this page
- I need financial counselling
- I need money to keep my primary production enterprise going
- I need a loan
- I need help exporting my produce
- I want ways to even out the financial peaks and troughs of primary production
I need financial counselling
Type of support | How to access |
---|---|
Rural Financial Counselling Service
|
Call 1800 686 175 Visit agriculture.gov.au/rfcs |
I need money to keep my primary production enterprise going
Type of support | How to access |
---|---|
Bushfire - $10,000 grants for small business
|
Visit bushfirerecovery.gov.au and select small business and primary producers Follow the links to your state’s website to apply |
Bushfire - Recovery Grants of up to $75,000
|
In July 2020, the Australian and State Governments expanded eligibility requirements and extended timeframes to give primary producers more time to apply. Read about eligibility and how to apply on our Primary Producers webpage |
COVID-19 - JobKeeper
|
Register your interest at ato.gov.au (search the site for JobKeeper) Find out more at Treasury.gov.au/coronavirus |
COVID-19 - Boosting cash flow for employers
|
Will be paid automatically by the Australian Taxation Office, as a credit in the activity statement system. Find out more at Treasury.gov.au/coronavirus |
COVID-19 - Supporting apprentices and trainees
|
Talk to the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) in your area. Search for your local AASN at australianapprenticeships.gov.au Find out more at Treasury.gov.au/coronavirus |
COVID-19 Backing businesses to invest, to help the economy
|
Check your eligibility with the Australian Taxation Office For more information
|
Drought - Accelerated depreciation arrangements for fodder and water infrastructure
|
For more information visit the ato.gov.au and search for ‘Accelerated depreciation fodder water infrastructure’ |
Drought – On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
|
For more information visit agriculture.gov.au and search for ‘on farm emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme’ |
Flood – North Queensland Restocking, Replanting & On-farm Infrastructure Grants
|
For more information call 1800 623 946 Or visit qrida.qld.gov.au and search for ‘north Queensland restocking replanting and on farm infrastructure grants’ |
Flood Freight Subsidy and Agistment Scheme
|
For more information call 13 25 23 Or visit daf.qld.gov.au and search for ‘Flood freight subsidy and agistment scheme’ |
Bushfire - Smoke Taint Grant
|
For more information visit the Department of Agriculture's Bushfire Support Page |
Bushfire - Forestry Recovery Development Fund
|
For more information visit the Department of Agriculture's Bushfire Support Page |
Bushfire - Recovery Grants for Apple Growers
|
For more information visit the Department of Agriculture's Bushfire Support Page |
Farm Household Allowance (FHA) is available to eligible farming families, typically at the same rate as Jobseeker payment. |
For more information visit our Combined List of Help for Individuals and Families page Or agriculture.gov.au/fha or call the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 To apply visit servicesaustralia.gov.au and search for ‘farm household allowance’ |
I need a loan
Type of support | How to access |
---|---|
Bushfire - Concessional Loans of up to $500,000
|
Visit bushfirerecovery.gov.au and select small business and primary producers Follow the links to your state’s website to apply. |
COVID19 - Supporting the flow of credit
|
Talk to your bank For more information:
|
Flood – AgRebuild Loans
|
For more information call 1800 875 675 Or visit ric.gov.au/agrebuild |
Flood – Disaster Assistance Loans
|
For more information call 1800 623 946 Or visit qrida.qld.gov.au and search for ‘Disaster assistance loans’ |
Flood - Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans
|
For more information call 1800 623 946 Or visit qrida.qld.gov.au and search for ‘Disaster assistance loans essential working capital’ |
Flood – Exceptional Disaster Assistance Loans
|
For more information call 1800 623 946 Or visit qrida.qld.gov.au and search for ‘exceptional disaster assistance loans’ |
Drought Loans
|
Call 1800 875 675 Visit ric.gov.au/drought |
Farm Investment Loans
|
Call 1800 875 675 |
I need help exporting my produce
Type of support | How to access |
---|---|
COVID-19 - International Freight Assistance Mechanism
|
Find out more from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Call 02 6272 2444 |
I want ways to even out the financial peaks and troughs of primary production
Type of support | How to access |
---|---|
Drought – Farm Management Deposits Scheme
|
For more information visit ato.gov.au and search for ‘farm management deposits scheme’ |
Drought – Income tax averaging
|
For more information visit ato.gov.au and search for ‘income tax averaging’ |