A NSW Government website

NSW Government
Rural Assistance Authority

Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Small Businesses

Small business operators directly affected by a declared natural disaster may be eligible for a low interest loan of up to $130,000 to support recovery.

The concessional loans have a two-year interest and repayment free period and may be used for essential working capital for up to 12 months from the date of the disaster, to continue trading until normal income resumes and for replacements and repairs to damages caused to the small business as a result of the natural disaster.

Visit the Declarations page to check that your Local Government Area (LGA) has been declared for a natural disaster event.

Applications must be lodged by the relevant close date listed for the disaster event and your LGA on the Declarations page.

Please refer to the program guidelines for details, including eligibility criteria.

Program guidelines




Loan terms

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:

2023-24 Natural Disaster Declarations - 2.79% per annum
2024-25 Natural Disaster Declarations - 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.

Program guidelines

What you will need to apply

When you lodge an application for a loan, you will need copies of the following documents:

  • the last 3 years of the applying small business’s tax returns, balance sheets and financial statements (including profit and loss statements, stock trading account and depreciation schedules)
  • the last 3 years of individual tax returns of all members of the small business and a current listing of all assets and liabilities held by each individual director, shareholder, partner or trustee of the small business (Note: Tax Assessment Notices are not acceptable)
  • the last 3 years of tax returns and financial statements for all related business entities that individual members of the small business are involved in, if applicable
  • signed Mortgagees Consent Form from your existing mortgagee (download a Mortgagees Consent Form)
  • trust deed, if applicable
  • monthly cash flow budget for the next 12 months (download a Cash Flow Statement Template)
  • current LGA (council) rates notice(s) for the property(s) where the damage occurred and the work is to be completed. If the affected property(s) is leased, a lease covering the property(s) at the time of the declared natural disaster outlining the tenant’s responsibilities is required
  • proof of the small business’s address
  • confirmation of bank details, such as the front page of a bank statement showing the account name, BSB and account number.

Please refer to the program guidelines for details.

Program guidelines

Apply now

Before commencing your application, please ensure you have thoroughly read and understood the program guidelines. The version of the program guidelines published on the date you submit your application apply.

Please ensure you download and save, or print, a copy of the program guidelines for future reference.

The online application form has been designed to make the process as simple as possible. We recommend that you have all scanned documents ready to upload before starting the process. We also recommend that you use the Google Chrome browser when applying online.

Frequently asked questions

Additional information about the Natural Disaster Relief Loan for small businesses can be found on our Frequently Asked questions webpage.

Frequently asked questions

Need help?

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) by calling 1800 678 593 or emailing rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au.