Flood Relief Program

Tax Updates
Written By Manpreet Galley

Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program

The Government has recently announced the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program, that is introduced with the sole purpose of directly supporting businesses that were affected by the Victorian Flood Events that occurred in October 2022. There are two support streams offered under this program:

  • Immediate flood relief grant

  • Business Relief Service

Immediate Flood Relief Grant

This program is designed to effectively support businesses that have incurred significant direct flood damage due to the Victorian floods in October 2022.

To be eligible for this particular grant, businesses must:

  • Be located in one of 55 Local Government Areas that are deemed eligible table attached below

Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have had that ABN on and from 14 October 2022 onwards

  • Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 14 October 2022 onwards

  • Have incurred significant direct damage from flooding to their business operations

Applicants must meet all the criteria mentioned above and also agree to the conditions outlined in the program outlines. Applications that are found to have misleading or false will be automatically rejected.

Businesses that have received funding from the following programs will be ineligible to apply for the Immediate Flood Relief Grant:

  • Primary Producer Flood Relief Program

  • Community Sports Emergency Flood Assistance Program

Businesses that are deemed to be eligible will be given a one-off payment of $5000 which will help fund the expenses that have arisen due to the floods.

Eligible businesses can apply for the grant to cover expenses incurred from direct flood damage, including for (but not limited to):

  • qualified tradespeople to conduct safety inspections, repair premises, and internal fittings

  • equipment, materials, and services needed for clean-up

  • removal and disposal of debris, damaged materials, or damaged stock

  • equipment, stock, and materials essential for immediately resuming operations.

To apply, you will need to:

  • Provide proof of identity

  • Attest that your business incurred significant direct flood damage due to the Victorian floods that commenced in October 2022 and are located within a Local Government Area deemed eligible for assistance

  • Attest that grant funds will be used to cover business expenses arising from the damage from flooding to the place of business, business assets, stock, or equipment

  • Where relevant, provide ABN, entity registration details (e.g. ACN), trustee details, Workcover Employer Number if available, and location of impacted business

Your proof of identity document can be one of the following forms of identification:

  • Victorian Driver’s Licence or Learner Permit

  • Australian passport

  • Medicare card

  • Foreign passport for those issued with an Australian Visa.

Business Relief Service

The Business Relief Service is a free one-on-one support service from local business relief advisors who will be available via phone and on the ground to guide owners through all the available support avenues. To access the Business Relief Service, please call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15, and they will connect you with dedicated business relief advisers and support. The hotline operates seven days a week.


Manpreet Galley
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