Back in (small) business with more disaster recovery assistance

5 May 2026

Applications are now open for Small Business Recovery Assistance Grants in response to recent disaster events, with up to $15,000 available to operators in five Queensland local government areas affected by indirect impacts like isolation.

The funding, provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments, can be used for a number of critical operational activities, including:

  • Paying wages
  • Covering rents or rates
  • Replacing lost, spoiled or damaged stock
  • Marketing activities to promote the business and attract customers back

The eligible LGAs of Carpentaria, Cook, Douglas, Isaac and Weipa all saw severe indirect impacts during the Queensland Monsoon Trough and Tropical Cyclones Koji and Narelle that battered the state over the early months of 2026.

While mostly avoiding direct major damage, many small businesses in these council areas experienced significant revenue loss due to isolation, access disruptions and supply chain constraints.

As well as being located in one of the five activated LGAs, other eligibility criteria for small businesses relate to employee numbers, turnover, business history and trading impacts.

This includes being able to demonstrate the business was unable to trade for a period of at least 14 consecutive days due to the disaster, or saw a drop in revenue of at least 70 per cent compared to the same 14-day period the previous year.

Small Business Recovery Assistance Grants are an extraordinary support measures funded under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Making this assistance available recognises the vital role small businesses play in rural and remote areas and their contribution to the communities they operate in.

The grants are being administered by Queensland's Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business, and are open till 5 May 2027 or until the total funding allocation is exhausted.

For more information on Small Business Recovery Assistance Grants, including full eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit www.business.qld.gov.au.