Funding for QLD small businesses significantly disrupted by the North and Far North Tropical Low
A one-off grant program to provide up-front financial support to small businesses significantly disrupted by the North and Far North Tropical Low (29 January – 28 February 2025).
Grants fund extraordinary costs to re-establish business operations and sustain employment following the disaster.
To be eligible, businesses must:
- have less than 20 employees (by headcount) at both the time of the disaster and at the time of applying
- have an annual turnover of less than $10 million
- have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at both the time of the disaster and the time of application
- be registered for GST at both the time of the disaster and the time of application
- be located within one of the listed eligible local government areas (Burdekin Shire Council; Cairns Regional Council; Cassowary Coast Regional Council; Charters Towers Regional Council; Hinchinbrook Shire Council; Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council; Townsville City Council; Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council)
- have been actively trading immediately prior to being affected by the disaster event
- demonstrate an intent to continue or continued in business after the disaster event
- not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are undischarged bankrupt
- and demonstrate that for a consecutive period of at least 14 days due to the impact of the specified disaster event the business either was completely unable to conduct trading activities or experienced a decrease in revenue of at least 60% compared to the same 14-day period in 2024 (or the same period in 2023 if 2024 revenue was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper)
If trading for less than 12 months and unable to compare to the prior year, applicants must provide BAS for Q2 and Q3 for the 2024–25 Financial Year showing a 60% reduction; businesses that have not submitted a BAS for Q2 are not eligible.
If operating more than one small business under a single ABN at separate locations, you may apply for each eligible separate business up to the maximum amount available.
Applications must be submitted through the SmartyGrants portal and only the business owner can submit the application.
Get a personalised eligibility check — your match score, which criteria you meet, and what to watch out for.
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Last updated: 12 February 2026