If your small business has experienced a significant decline in revenue as a result of the NSW 2019-2020 bushfires (beginning in August 2019), and it’s located within a specified Local Government Area (LGA), you may be eligible for the $10,000 small business support grant.

The application process for this grant has been simplified so eligible small businesses can access funds as quickly as possible.

The grant may be used for, but is not limited to:

• meeting standard business costs, including utilities, salaries and rent
• seeking financial advice to support the recovery of the business
• adjusting the business to be viable in the changed local context following the bushfires
• developing the business and extending business reach through marketing and communications activities, or
• improvements to make the business more resilient to future disasters.

Note: The definition of ‘a decline in revenue as a result of bushfire’ may include multiple scenarios. However, this evidence requirement is clearly demonstrated when the business was in a defined disaster area and subject to either:

• an evacuation order or tourism leave order
• other supply chain interruptions or stock damage resulting in reduced sales, such as road closures and utility disconnections, or
• significantly reduced customer numbers, such as through consumer perception of danger and smoke haze.

To be eligible for the grant, you must:

• be a small business owner
• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the eligible disaster
• have been engaged in carrying on the small business in the defined disaster area when you were affected by the eligible disaster
• have suffered a decline in revenue of 40% or more in a 3-month period, compared to the same period in the previous year, as a result of the eligible disaster
• be located in one of the following LGAs:
  • Bega Valley
  • Blue Mountains
  • Clarence Valley
  • Eurobodalla
  • Hawkesbury
  • Kempsey
  • Lithgow
  • Mid Coast
  • Nambucca
  • Port Macquarie
  • Queanbeyan
  • Richmond Valley
  • Shoalhaven
  • Snowy Monaro
  • Snowy Valleys
  • Wingecarribee
  • Wollondilly.

Note: You may still be eligible for the grant if:

• you’ve already received assistance under the small business bushfire recovery grant (up to $50,000)
• your small business is located outside the defined disaster area but operates part-time or on some regular basis within the defined disaster area, or
• your small business does not meet the 40% revenue decline threshold or does not have a relevant 3-month period comparison.

In the above instances, contact a Business Concierge to discuss the options available to you.

• your proof of identity
• the business bank account details (to receive your payment).

Note:

You may be audited in the future, so you will need to keep all documentary evidence confirming that you’ve had a decline in revenue of 40% or more in the relevant 3-month period. Such items could include:

• tax invoices
• official receipts
• bank statements
• quotations.

All documentation for asssistance received under the program must be kept for 5 years.

You’ll need to provide 2 proof of identity documents from the below list:

• Australian driver licence

• Medicare card

• Australian passport

• overseas passport

• Australian birth certificate

• Australian citizenship certificate

• ImmiCard

• DHS concession card

• travel visa

• DFAT issued UN Travel document

• DFAT issued Certificate of Identity.

Note: Proof of identity documents will be digitally validated using the Document Validation Service (DVS). The Australian Government’s DVS verifies key government-issued documents.

1. Check the eligibility criteria.
2. Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
3. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
4. Select and verify your identity documents.
5. When your identity is verified,  select ‘Continue with application’.
6. Enter the required information.
7. Enter your business bank account details.
8. Review your application.
9. Check the Declaration boxes.
10. You’ll be sent a confirmation email.
11. If additional information to support your claim is required, you’ll be notified.
12. If your application is approved, a payment will be transferred within 5 business days.

If you’re not able to apply online, visit a:

• Service NSW Centre
• Mobile Service Centre, or
• Recovery Centre.