North and Far North Tropical Low from January 2025

Business Assistance

QRIDA Disaster Assistance Loans QRIDA’s Disaster Assistance Loans offer low-interest loans to primary producers, small businesses, and non-profits affected by natural disasters to help with repair costs, replacing essential assets, and maintaining operations. Eligibility, loan terms, and application details vary based on the specific disaster and applicant type. Click here for more information.

Increased Grant Funding up to $75,000 for Primary Producers Primary producers who were directly impacted by the North and Far North Tropical Low flooding event commencing 29 January can now access increased Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to help with clean-up and reinstatement costs. Click here for more information.

Natural Disaster Payments and Financial Help Both the Queensland and Australian Governments are offering financial assistance to businesses, primary producers, and individuals affected by natural disasters. Support includes grants, low-interest loans, disaster recovery payments, and tax and superannuation relief. Click here for more information.

Agribusiness Impact Survey The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in Queensland is conducting a Disaster Impact Survey to assess the effects of recent events. If you would like to participate in this survey, please click here.

Disaster Impact Survey The Queensland Government is conducting disaster impact surveys to assess how natural disasters affect businesses, primary producers, and communities. This information helps inform recovery efforts and support measures, ensuring assistance is directed where it’s needed most. If you would like to participate in this survey, please click here.

Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program (SRDRP) The Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to eligible not-for-profit organisations in disaster-affected areas to help restore facilities and activities. Funding is available for organisations in activated local government areas under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Click here for more information.

NAB Offers Disaster Relief Grants NAB is offering $1,000 Disaster Relief Grants to eligible customers in Northern Queensland affected by recent flooding and damaging winds. Additional support includes loan deferrals, reduced repayment arrangements, and hardship assistance. Click here for more information.

---

Individual Assistance

Personal Hardship Financial Assistance Eligible residents in the hardest-hit areas can apply for financial assistance to help with immediate needs. Support is currently available for those in the following Local Government Areas (LGA):

• Cairns LGA – defined localities
• Townsville LGA – defined localities
• Burdekin LGA – defined localities
• Cassowary Coast LGA – defined localities
• Hinchinbrook LGA – entire region
• Palm Island LGA – entire region

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment The Australian Government is providing a Disaster Recovery Payment to individuals affected by the North Queensland floods of January-February 2025, offering $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child under 16. This lump sum payment is non-taxable and can be received in two instalments. Click here to check your eligibility.

Emergency Hardship Assistance The Emergency Hardship Assistance grant supports essential needs like food, medication, clothing, and temporary accommodation. Eligible residents in affected areas may receive $180 per individual or up to $900 per family (5+). Click here to check your eligibility.

Essential Services Hardship Assistance The Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant helps with power, gas, water, and sewage costs. Eligible residents in affected areas who have lost essential services for over five days may receive $150 per individual or up to $750 per family (5+). Click here to check your eligibility.

Essential Household Contents Grant The Essential Household Contents Grant helps replace lost essentials like bed linen and white goods. Eligible residents may receive $1,765 per individual or up to $5,300 for couples or families. Click here to check your eligibility.

Essential Services and Safety Reconnection The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant helps with safety inspections and repairs for essential services like gas, water, electricity, and sewage. Eligible homeowners may receive $200 for inspections and up to $4,200 for repairs. Click here to check your eligibility.

Structural Assistance Grant The Structural Assistance Grant supports uninsured homeowners with repairs or contributions toward rebuilding unsafe homes. Eligible residents may receive up to $80,000 to make their homes safe and habitable. Click here to check your eligibility.

Replacing Lost or Damaged Crops Primary producers can now also use these disaster recovery grants to replace crops and plants that were lost or damaged as a result of the disaster. Costs such as those for the plant, seed or seedling, crop establishment (e.g. chemicals for pre-planting weed and/or pest control), and nutrition (e.g. establishment fertiliser) will be considered. For more information about the eligibility and guidelines for the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants available for primary producers click here.

---

Employment and Support

Employment Entitlements During Natural Disasters and Emergencies The Fair Work Ombudsman’s fact sheet on employment entitlements during natural disasters and emergencies outlines options for employees unable to attend work due to such events. Depending on individual circumstances, employees may access entitlements under their award or agreement or consider alternatives like taking leave or engaging in community service activities. Click here for more information.

Employee Disaster Support Under the Fair Work Act, employers can stand down employees without pay if severe weather or natural disasters, like floods or bushfires, stop them from working. However, employees may be entitled to pay if their award, agreement, or contract includes stand-down provisions. Click here for more information.

Support and Other Assistance If you are experiencing emotional distress due to the severe weather, help is available. Speak confidentially with a qualified disaster counsellor via the Community Recovery Lifeline Hotline at 1800 116 671. This service is available 24/7. For more information, email disastergrants@desbt.qld.gov.au or contact the Small Business Hotline at 1800 173 349.

Services Australia Support If you’re affected by the North Queensland floods that began on 29 January 2025, Services Australia social workers can provide short-term counselling, information, and referrals to support