Frequently asked questions
The below FAQs specifically relate to the Special Disaster Relief Grant for the NSW East Coast Severe Weather from 18 May 2025 (AGRN 1212).
What is the Special Disaster Relief Grant?
The Special Disaster Relief Grant is designed to help pay for the costs of cleanup and reinstatement of primary production enterprises that have suffered direct damage as a result of an eligible disaster.
How do I apply for the grant?
You should first thoroughly read the Program Guidelines and check what you will need to apply. Applications must be submitted online via our website.
Who can access the Special Disaster Relief Grant?
Primary producers and aquaculture producers impacted by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather event that began on 18 May 2025 (declared under AGRN 1212) may apply for the Special Disaster Relief Grant.
To be eligible for the Special Disaster Relief Grant, you must meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Program Guidelines and summarised below:
- you are a primary producer or have a primary production enterprise and operate as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company in NSW
- you are a primary producer or have a primary production enterprise and hold a Class A Aquaculture Permit under the Fisheries Management Act 1984 authorising an aquaculture lease area of at least 1 hectare
- you hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) that was active at the time of the event
- you are registered as a primary producer with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- at least one owner contributes part of their labour to the enterprise
- the primary production enterprise is located in an eligible LGA declared under AGRN 1212 and suffered direct damage as a result of the disaster event (refer to the Program Guidelines for a list of LGAs)
- you intend to re-establish or continue operations within the same LGA
- in at least one of the last five financial years, at least 50% of your total income must have come from primary production, with a minimum of $20,000 in gross primary production income before taxes.
Detailed eligibility criteria are provided in the Program Guidelines.
How much can I claim and do I need to repay the Special Disaster Relief Grant?
The maximum grant amount is $75,000.
Eligible producers can access an initial $5,000 by providing evidence of direct damage, with the remaining funds available once valid tax invoices are submitted and verified.
The Special Disaster Relief Grant does not need to be repaid.
If my LGA has been declared for AGRN 1198 and AGRN 1212, can I apply for a Natural Disaster Relief Grant and a Special Disaster Relief Grant?
No. Primary producers and aquaculture producers who are in an eligible LGA declared for both AGRN 1198 and AGRN 1212 may submit one Natural Disaster Relief Grant or one Special Disaster Relief Grant application to support recovery.
What happens if I applied for the Natural Disaster Relief Grant and would now like to be considered for the Special Disaster Relief Grant?
You may be able to transfer your existing Natural Disaster Relief Grant application to the Special Disaster Relief Grant program, potentially providing you with additional funds to support recovery.
You do not need to submit a new application. Our Assessment Team will contact you directly to discuss this opportunity.
If I have been approved for the Natural Disaster Relief Grant and received the initial $5,000 payment, can I receive an additional initial payment once my application has been transferred to the Special Disaster Relief Grant program?
No. You can only receive one initial upfront payment, under either the Natural Disaster Relief Grant or the Special Disaster Relief Grant.
Is the Special Disaster Relief Grant applied per business or property?
The grant is per business; however, you may be eligible for multiple grants if you have multiple properties within the affected LGAs, subject to satisfying the eligible separate business requirements. A separate application is required for each eligible separate business.
I run my primary production enterprise on the same property as another primary producer. Can we both apply?
Where two or more independent and separately owned and registered primary producers operate from the same property, each primary producer may receive a grant to the maximum available. Refer to the Program Guidelines for further information.
How long do I have to apply?
Application close dates may vary depending on your LGA. Please refer to the program page for application and claim close dates.
Can I apply for the Special Disaster Relief Grant before I have incurred expenses?
Yes, application forms can be completed before costs are incurred.
What information do I need to provide with my application?
You will need to complete the online application form and provide the following:
- the applying primary production enterprise’s latest (2023/24 or 2024/25) tax returns, balance sheets and financial statements (including profit and loss statements, stock trading account and depreciation schedules)
- latest (2023/24 or 2024/25) individual tax returns of all members of the primary production enterprise
Note: Tax Assessment Notices are not acceptable.
Note: Remove or redact tax file numbers before submission. - the most recent year of tax returns and financial statements for all related business entities which individual members of the primary production enterprise are involved in, if applicable
- current LGA (council) rates notice(s) and, if available, Local Land Service (LLS) rates for the property(s) where the damage occurred and the work is to be completed
- landowner consent if you do not own the land
Note: If the property(s) is leased, a lease covering the property(s) outlining the tenant’s responsibilities is required. - current relevant insurance policy relating to your primary production enterprise, if applicable
Note: Cover notes are excluded. - photographic evidence of the direct damage on your property (at least one and no more than 5 photographs evidencing direct damage)
- confirmation of the primary production enterprise’s 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 further details.
Why do I need to provide more evidence with my application?
Following the last major disaster event, the RAA reviewed its policies and processes, and the NSW Audit Office conducted a performance audit of emergency relief grant delivery. As a result, applicants are now required to provide additional evidence to demonstrate direct damage to their property. This includes photographs with metadata and a copy of your current insurance policy.
These evidence requirements ensure that NSW Government assistance is delivered fairly, transparently, and only to those genuinely impacted. They also help protect against fraudulent claims and bring NSW requirements into alignment with Queensland, ensuring a consistent approach across both states.
What do I do if I don’t have my current tax returns?
You can provide permission for the RAA to contact your accountant directly to obtain them.
Where can I get a copy of my council rates notice?
You can request a copy of your rates notice directly from your local council.
I have more than three properties, however, the application form only allows me to enter the details of three.
You should enter the details of the properties where the majority of the damage occurred. If you require further information, please contact the RAA directly on 1800 678 593.
If I or a related entity receives income from outside Australia, will it be included in the RAA’s eligibility assessment?
Yes. All foreign income, regardless of its source, type, or origin, will be included in the assessment and classified as non-primary production income.
Is GST included in any payment received?
No, GST is not included. The GST component of any invoice received can be claimed on completion of your Business Activity Statement (BAS). The RAA will not issue a Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI) on payment of the grant, and you should retain the Payment Advice that is forwarded as a record for taxation purposes. Please consult with your accountant or financial advisor for further advice.
Do I need to provide financial statements if I am an existing RAA customer?
If you have previously submitted tax returns to the RAA for the financial year 2023/2024 or more recently, you will not need to provide further statements.
How do I prove the damage caused by the disaster?
Direct damage refers to physical damage caused by the disaster event. To qualify for the grant, you must provide photographic evidence of direct damage to your property.
When applying, you will be asked to provide up to five photographs with time, date and location stamps. To assist us in assessing direct damages, you can also provide quotations or tax invoices and proof of payment for eligible expenses.
Additionally, the RAA has access to third-party damage assessments for affected areas, which can be used to verify direct damage claims.
What is the difference between direct and indirect damage?
Direct damage is physical damage that occurred as a result of the disaster event. For example, immediate damage caused by flood water flowing through your property, or damage to a fence because of a bushfire on your property. Indirect damage is the losses sustained as a consequence of the disaster. For example, a downturn in customer foot traffic from road closures, loss of income or spoilage due to power outages.
Do I need to provide proof of payment of the $75,000 when applying?
No. At the point of application, you only need to provide evidence that your primary production enterprise has suffered direct damage as a result of the natural disaster. You can evidence the direct damage by uploading up to five photographs with time, date and location stamps.
If approved, you can claim payments of up to a maximum of $75,000 by submitting valid tax invoices and proof of payment for eligible expenses. If you previously provided these documents to verify eligibility in your initial application, you will need to resubmit them as a claim after approval.
What can I apply for?
The Special Disaster Relief Grant is designed to assist impacted primary producers to pay for immediate cleanup and repairs to infrastructure and replacing livestock (including oyster spat).
Eligible activities are outlined in the Program Guidelines. Please thoroughly read the Program Guidelines prior to applying.
Funding cannot be used for activities already covered by insurance or other government funding programs.
Who do my invoices need to be addressed to?
Invoices must be made out to the legal name of the applicant, whether an individual or a business entity, as listed in the ABN (Australian Business Number) register.
What is future resilience?
Future resilience is repairing or building back an asset or infrastructure so that it can withstand future natural disasters and improve the ability to respond, recover and adapt after natural disaster events. Future resilience is sometimes referred to as ‘betterment’. A key test for betterment projects is whether they leave infrastructure less vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters.
For more information, download our fact sheet:
RAA Future Resilience Fact Sheet
How much fodder or feed can I purchase using grant funds?
Up to 50% of grant funds can be claimed for eligible fodder or feed costs.
Does the 50% cap apply to livestock health supplies?
The 50% cap applies to fodder claims, which include crops grown primarily for animal feed, such as green feed, hay, and silage. You can claim up to 50% of the total grant value for these items. Feed supplements are also eligible for claim under the grant, and since they are not classified as fodder, the 50% cap does not apply to them.
Can I use the Natural Disaster Relief Grant to buy replacement plant and machinery that was damaged?
No, new equipment, including farm plant, machinery, vehicles and transportable items are not eligible expenses under the Special Disaster Relief Grant.
Are there any restrictions on purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment?
Yes. Equipment or materials must be essential for the immediate resumption of your primary production enterprise. This includes items that are urgently required as a direct result of the disaster event. Expenses that do not directly support the enterprise’s immediate recovery may not be eligible.
Can I claim the loss of income?
No, the grant cannot be used to reimburse the loss of income.
Can I claim for the hours I spend on clean up and repairing the business?
You can claim for third parties, including independent contractors, who help with clean up and repair. When it comes to paying staff, the time of owners or shareholders in the business cannot be claimed. You can, however, claim the hours of employees who have no ownership role in the business, where you can show that those hours are above standard day-to-day wages and can be explained on the basis of cleaning up and repairs in relation to the natural disaster event.
I have never had to plant pasture before, as I have always had natural growth; however, due to the severe weather event, I now don’t have any feed in the paddock, and the pasture recovery process will be slow, likely taking months to re-grow. Can I claim for pasture recovery?
Yes, you can claim for pasture recovery. To assess claims for pasture recovery, we need evidence of how much of the paddock has been damaged and an understanding of what the land was being used for prior to the disaster, and the future intentions. Please provide any supporting information or documents, which could include previous invoices for expenses, invoices for input costs and/or photos.
I want to salvage my crop and/or restore my fields – what can I claim?
You can claim for salvaging crops and restoring fields. To assess these claims, we need evidence of how much of the crop/fields have been damaged and an understanding of what the land was being used for prior to the disaster and the future intentions. Please provide any supporting information or documents, which could include previous invoices for expenses, invoices for input costs and/or photos.
Can I use my own machinery to clear my paddocks?
Yes, you can use your own machinery. However, per the Program Guidelines, you can only claim for the diesel/fuel cost associated with using the specific machinery for clearing paddocks. You will be required to complete a detailed logbook, which should include hours worked, details of improvements, machinery used, and other relevant information. Additionally, you will need to provide a paid diesel/fuel invoice showing the litres purchased.
Only part of my crop has been impacted by the disaster event – am I able to claim costs associated with the replacement of this crop?
Yes, replacement of damaged crops is eligible. However, evidence is required to demonstrate the extent of the damages being claimed. Please provide any supporting information or documents, which could include previous invoices for expenses, invoices for input costs and/or photos. Please note, if only a portion of the crop has been damaged, the RAA will need to assess the full scope of damages to ascertain those replacement costs that are eligible.
Can I use the Special Disaster Relief Grant to cover damages where I have made a claim under insurance?
Damages covered by insurance are not eligible to be claimed under this program. You are only able to claim for portions of costs not covered by insurance.
Can I apply for the grant before I know the outcome of my insurance claim?
Yes, you are welcome to apply before you know the outcome of your insurance claim, and the RAA will work with you to determine what damage may be covered by your insurance policy. Please note that assessing applications before finalising insurance claims may take longer than if you were to apply after the insurance outcome is known.
How long will it take to be approved?
Our commitment to you is to assess your application efficiently and effectively to help bring your primary production enterprise back to normal operations as quickly as possible.
If I use a third party to assist with an application or claim, who is responsible for a timely submission?
Even when using a third party, such as an accountant or financial advisor, the applicant is responsible for ensuring the application or claim, including all required documentation, is submitted by the deadline. The RAA does not accept late submissions.
How does the RAA protect itself against fraud?
The RAA has a strong commitment to fraud prevention, detection, and response. Making a fraudulent application, including providing false or misleading information, is a criminal offence, which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, or a fine of $22,000, or both.
The RAA will also attempt to recover any assistance received as a result of fraud.
More information can be found on our Fraud and Corruption Prevention page on our website.
Where can I get advice and assistance?
Rural Financial Counselling Service
If you are experiencing any issues completing the application form, free confidential assistance is available from your local Rural Financial Counselling Service:
Northern region: 1800 344 090
Southern and Central region: 1800 319 458
Translations
If you need assistance with interpreting or translating, please contact Multicultural NSW on 1300 651 500 or email languageservices@multicultural.nsw.gov.au.
Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)
Contact our team on 1800 678 593 or via rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au.