NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter Flood Recovery Grant for Small Business and Non profit organisations now open for applications

If your business was impacted by the recent flooding events on the NSW Mid North Coast and in the Hunter, the recovery grant for small business may help your business.

For eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations, the Federal and NSW Governments have announced grants of up to $25,000 to help clean up and restore your business.  The first $5000 will be paid without supporting documentation.  The final $20,000 will be paid once you supply the required documentation.

Eligibility

To be eligible, your business or non-profit organisation must:

• have been operating in an impacted LGA listed below
• have suffered direct damage as a result of NSW East Coast Severe Weather from 18 May 2025, or Tropical Cyclone Alfred Severe Weather from 3 March 2025
• have an active ABN and have held that ABN at the time of the disaster
• intend to re-establish operations within the same area
• not be fully insured and claiming all recovery costs through insurance.
• As a small business or sole trader you must employ less than 21 full-time staff or equivalent.
• As a sole trader you will need to receiving at least 50% of your income from the business.
• If you’re a non-profit organisation, you must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission or an equivalent body.

The impacted areas are the local government areas of Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Richmond Valley, Singleton, Tenterfield, Tweed, Upper Hunter and Walcha.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• payment for tradespeople to conduct safety inspections
• equipment, materials or personnel needed to clean up or immediately resume operations
• removal and disposal of debris, damaged materials or damaged stock
• essential repairs to premises and internal fittings
• leasing a temporary premises within the disaster area so the business can start operating again
• replacing or repairing motor vehicles registered for business use
• replacing lost or damaged stock essential for resuming operations.

Supporting documents

Supporting documents required include: 

• a rates notice or lease agreement to show that the business was operating in an impacted LGA
• 5 – 10 photographs of the direct damage
• for applications of up to $5,000 for immediate costs, you will need copies of estimates or a list of damaged items
• for applications over $5,000 and up to $25,000, you will need copies of tax invoices and evidence that these invoices have been paid (e.g. bank statements, electronic bank transfer confirmations or official supplier receipts).
• details of your business insurance if you have it
• a letter of authority to show you’re authorised to act on behalf of the business if you’re not the business owner
• an accountant’s letter, or tax return for evidence of how you derive your income if you’re a sole trader.

Application Process

Stage 1 is applying for the first $5,000 payment.

If you are approved for the first $5,000 payment, you can then apply for the balance of the eligible expenses you incurred up to $20,000 above the first $5,000.

Learn More

Click here to learn more and apply for the Recovery Grant for Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organisations.

Note applications will close 11 December 2025

Contact Wayne on wayne@arealcfo.com.au or 0412 227 052.

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Want a confidential discussion on your business situation, help with your grant application or to learn more about my Outsourced CFO Services, simply email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052