Bushfire Recovery Assistance

We have welcomed the recent announement from the Federal and State Governments and believe i will be well received by those affected.

The announcement includes:

• a new $10,000 grant to assist significantly impacted small businesses in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) get back on their feet and maintain their businesses. To be eligible, businesses must have experienced a 40 per cent drop in revenue over a three-month period, compared to the previous year, as a result of the bushfires
• working with the States to ensure greater access to concessional loans with fewer documents and fewer security requirements
• more experienced and trusted business advisers available on the ground working directly with small business owners to help them navigate the challenging road to recovery.

See full media release here.

Disaster recovery toolkit

As thoughts begin to turn to the road ahead, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme has assisted CPA Australia with a Disaster Recovery Toolkit. This resource provides a series of templates and checklists to provide a considered approach to immediate actions, recovery plans and long term recovery for business owners.

Download the toolkit here

Employer advice

If your business has been directly impacted by bushfires, the Workplace Advice Line may be able to provide support in relation to your employer obligations, so that you can feel confident that you are doing the right thing by your employees throughout this challenging time. 

We are offering employer advice to all bushfire affected employers on 13 29 59.

Health and Wellbeing

Please ensure that your mental health and wellbeing and that of those around you remains a priority throughout this challenging time. If you’re feeling distressed, anxious or overwhelmed, please seek professional support. 

Free telephone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from:

• NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Financial counselling and other issues

Free financial counselling is available to support small business and sole traders who have been hit by the bushfires. Please contact the Small Business Bushfire Financial Counselling Support Line on 1800 413 828 or visit smallbusinessbushfire.org.au for more information.

For business owners in bushfire affected areas who are experiencing unique issues and are uncertain about what action to take, contact our Business Hotline on 13 26 96 for additional support regarding practical or operational issues.

If you are outside NSW

The Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) have launched a bushfire information portal, to provide information and support for all businesses affected by the national bushfire crisis.
Visit the Regional Business Recovery.
There’s also an extensive national and state-specific resource available at https://business.gov.au/news/bushfire-support.
Victoria 
For more information related to bushfires impacting Victoria, visit Emergency VIC  
Queensland 
For more information related to bushfires impacting Queensland, visit Queensland Disasters & Emergencies 
South Australia 
For more information related to bushfires impacting South Australia, visit SA Disaster Recovery or the Department of Human Services