Small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage, may be eligible for low interest loans of up to $130,000.

Maximum amount:

Natural Disaster Relief Loans for small businesses are up to a maximum of $130,000

Loan term:

Up to 12 years (first two years are interest and repayment free)

Interest rate:

3.14% per annum

Fees and charges:

Security searches and registration fees will be applied.
There are no ongoing fees or charges.

Security:
Registered mortgage over the land.
Other security, including a mortgage from another person may be considered.

Repayments:

Loans can be repaid monthly, quarterly, biannually or annually over the life of the loan.

Please refer to the program guidelines for further details.

Who is eligible?

When activated, loans are available to small businesses that meet the following criteria:

• Have fewer than 20 full time (or equivalent) employees;
• Are a registered business, partnership or sole trader
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and
• provide the owner with their primary source of gross income (more than 50%)

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible small business operators must:

• have assets which have been significantly damaged as a direct result of the declared disaster event
• have been viable prior to the declared event
• demonstrate that the assistance will ensure the business continues to be viable
• demonstrate that they are continuing or will reestablish the business enterprise within the same location, or within the same local government area
• earn the majority of their gross income from the business enterprise and
• demonstrate that the business enterprise has the capacity to repay the loan sought.
• Have been in working occupation of your business at the time of the natural disaster.
• Demonstrate that your business has long-term viability.
• Demonstrate that your business has the capacity to repay the loan sought.
• Provide security, acceptable to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority

Exclusions

Assistance does not provide for costs unrelated to the business enterprise or commitments overdue at the time of the disaster, such as trading accounts, lease or hire purchase instalments, interest on borrowings or loan repayments.

• Phone: 1800 678 593
• Fax: 1800 678 593
• Email: rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au