Additional disaster recovery grants now open to eligible small businesses

Eligible small businesses across five disaster-hit Queensland regions can now apply for grants up to $15,000 to bounce back from significant trading disruptions due to severe weather.

The Small Business Recovery Assistance Grants package, totalling $990,000, is designed to assist businesses indirectly impacted by recent severe weather events due to isolation, access disruptions, and supply chain constraints.

Funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, eligible small businesses in the Carpentaria, Cook, Douglas, Isaac and Weipa regions can use the grants to:

• Pay salaries or wages to employees.

• Cover rent or rates associated with the business premises.

• Replace stock that was lost, spoiled, or rendered unusable due to the disaster and is not eligible for funding under the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant.

• Pay marketing expenses aimed at regaining lost customers and re-establishing the business post-disaster.

The grant supports Queensland small and family businesses that either couldn’t trade or experienced at least a 70 per cent drop in revenue compared to the same time last year.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the latest grants were part of a massive, ongoing recovery effort across Queensland.

“Recovery is so much more than what happens in the days and weeks following a disaster and I hope this latest support reinforces to people that the Albanese Government is are still there with them,” Minister McBain said.

“Small businesses are part of the heart and soul of communities, especially those in rural and remote areas, and by helping local business we are helping the whole community remain healthy and strong.”

Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin said the Crisafulli Government was delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and strengthening small business recovery and support.

“We are helping small businesses bounce back so they can continue to do what they do best, driving our economy forward,” Minister Minnikin said.

“The Small Business Recovery Assistance Grants are set up for small businesses who may not have been directly hit by severe weather or flooding, but experienced significant financial loss due to the disasters.”

Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said recovery grants and disaster funding assistance was helping businesses and residents get back on their feet.

“This year's Wet Season has been particularly tough going for residents of the Far North,” Mr Smith said.

“Businesses and residents north of the Daintree River were impacted more than most as the loss of the ferry in flood waters meant they were totally cut off by road for four weeks.

“Communities and Cattle Stations in Coen and Weipa were directly hit by Cyclone Narelle and will need to build back up, after the storm.

“When I visited the Daintree last week with Minister Gorman, the request for assistance was made loud and clear. I am pleased that we are able to deliver much needed help to the region.

“With recovery grants and disaster funding assistance like this, we're helping to lift up the people of Leichhardt, recover from these disasters and get back on their feet.”

Queensland Member for Cook David Kempton said the additional support would be welcomed by communities impacted by the severe monsoon season and recent crossing of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

“This support allows local small businesses to replenish funds spent on loss of business operation, loss of stock and staff wages, among other costly activities,” Mr Kempton said.

This funding is in addition to measures already provided by the Australian and Crisafulli Governments including the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants, helping small businesses directly impacted by the Queensland Monsoon Trough, Cyclone Koji, Cyclone Narelle and severe weather events since 24 December 2025.

Carpentaria, Cook, Douglas, Isaac and Weipa are among 28 LGAs eligible for grants doubled from $25,000 to $50,000 to support costs associated with immediate recovery and reinstatement.

More information on DRFA assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au or www.qra.qld.gov.au.

Visit www.business.qld.gov.au for the latest information on small business grants, including Small Business Recovery Assistance Grants.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Minister McBain: David Jean, 0467 559 492

Minister Minnikin: Andrew Berkman, 0429 128 637