The recent flooding event has been challenging for the region, we acknowledge and thank both the State and Federal Government's for their swift response in announcing and delivering financial support to individuals and businesses across North Queensland.
Below is a summary of the funding support currently available.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance
Grant Amount: Your staff can receive payments for a maximum of 13 weeks.
Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short-term payment to help your staff if North Queensland floods in January - February 2025 directly affects your income.
Emergency Hardship Assistance
Grant Amount: $180 per person, up to $900 for families of five or more
The Emergency Hardship Assistance grant is for help with essential needs, food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation.
Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants
Complete applications are assessed in order of receipt and QRIDA may request further information to help assess an application.
For Primary Producers:
Grants of up to $25,000 are available for affected producers following the North and Far North Tropical Low, commencing 29 January 2025, to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process. Producers should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application/s.
Applicants need to show they are an eligible primary producer, within the declared disaster area and demonstrate they have suffered direct impact from the disaster. Read below and the guidelines for more information.
The maximum grant amount is $25,000 and can be accessed through the following:
- Initial application/s up to the total amount of $5,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of the direct damage is required such as photographs and quotations, tax invoices or official receipts.
- Subsequent application/s up to the total amount of $20,000 is available to support subsequent claims for which full evidence of payment is required.
For Small Business:
Grants of up to $25,000 are available for affected small businesses following the North and Far North Tropical Low, commencing 29 January 2025, to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace or repair damaged infrastructure and stock and other costs associated with the recovery process. Businesses should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application/s.
Applicants need to show they are an eligible small business, within the defined disaster area and demonstrate they have suffered direct impact from the disaster. Read this page and the guidelines for more information.
If you are insured, full details and a copy of your insurance policy and/or claim must be provided. Please be aware that QRIDA may be unable to finalise your Disaster Assistance
Grant application until the outcome of your insurance claim is determined and claim outcome is provided.
The maximum grant amount available is $25,000 and can be accessed through the following:
- Initial application/s up to the total amount of $5,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of the direct damage is required such as photographs and quotations, tax invoices or official receipts.
- Subsequent application/s up to the total amount of $20,000 is available to support subsequent claims for which full evidence of payment is required.
For Non-Profit Organisations:
Grants of up to $25,000 are available for affected non-profit organisations following the North and Far North Tropical Low, commencing 29 January 2025, to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, repair or replace damaged infrastructure or goods and other costs associated with the recovery process. Organisations should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application/s.
Applicants need to show they are an eligible non-profit organisation, within the declared disaster area and demonstrate they have suffered direct impact from the disaster. Read below and the guidelines for more information.
The maximum grant amount available is $25,000 and can be accessed through the following:
- Initial application/s up to the total amount of $5,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of the direct damage is required such as photographs and quotations, tax invoices or official receipts.
- Subsequent application/s up to the total amount of $20,000 is available to support subsequent claims for which full evidence of payment is required.
Transport and motoring assistance
You may be eligible to apply for transport and motoring assistance, which could include surcharge and late fee exemptions, shorter registration terms, replacing lost or damaged number plates for free or deferral of seasonally registered vehicles.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance Grant
Grant Amount: $150 per person, up to $750 for families of 5 or more
The Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant is for help with essential services such as, power, gas, water, and sewage. This grant may be available if:
- you live in the affected area
- you have lost 1 or more essential services for more than 5 days and are experiencing personal hardship as a result
- your utility service provider/s confirm that you lost these essential services.
Essential Household Contents Grant
Grant Amount: $1,765 for individuals or up to $5,300 for couples or families
The Essential Household Contents Grant is to replace essential lost household contents, such as bed linen and white goods. This grant may be available if you:
- live in the affected area
- own the items that have been lost
- own or rent the affected residence
- are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
- meet the income limits.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant
Grant Amount: Inspection costs $200 for safety inspections, $4,200 for repairs or replacement of these services.
The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection grant is to help with safety inspections and repairs to reconnect essential services, e.g. gas, water, electricity and sewage. This grant may be available if you:
- live in the affected area
- have had your essential services disconnected
- own and live in the affected residence
- are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
- meet the income limits.
Structural Assistance Grant
Grant Amount: Uninsured, low income, owner-occupiers may receive up to a maximum of $80,000 to help repair your home to make it safe, secure and habitable.
The Structural Assistance Grant is to help with structural repairs or contribution towards replacement of dwelling. This grant may be available if:
- you live in the affected area
- you own and live in the affected residence
- your home has become structurally unsafe to live in
- you are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
- you meet the income limits.
Sports and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program
Grant Amount: Funding of up to $5000 may be eligible sport and active recreation organisations located in disaster declared areas.
When activated the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program supports not-for-Profit sport and recreation organisations with funding to re-establish their facilities and activities after extreme natural events, including floods, fire, cyclones and severe storms.
Essential Working Capital Loans
Grant Amount: Essential Working Capital Loans are available to assist primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations with essential working capital for expenses. The loan amount is a maximum of $100,000 with the loan term up to 10 years.
Concessional loans are provided to assist you with essential working capital for expenses such as:
- Paying salaries or wages
- Paying rent or rates
- Buying goods, including for example, fuel essential to carry on the primary production enterprise
- Buying fodder or water for livestock or produce
- Transporting livestock or produce.
Disaster Assistance Loans
Grant Amount: Disaster Assistance Loans are available to assist primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations. The loan amount is a Maximum of $250,000 with the loan term up to 10 years.
Concessional loans are provided to assist the business to re-establish the normal operations of your primary production enterprise by covering costs such as:
- Repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment
- Repairing or replacing farm buildings
- Purchasing livestock to replace those lost in the disaster event
- Meeting carry-on requirements including:
- Re-planting, restoring or re-establishing areas affected by the disaster event
- Sustenance
- Essential property operations
- Paying rent and rates
