River Murray Flood Grants FAQs

Application volumes are high and are being assessed as quickly as possible. We may need to contact you to confirm details or seek further information during this period.

If you would like an update about your application, please contact the Infoline on 8429 3801.

Once all requirements have been met, payment can be expected within 5 working days.

The email will come from service@smartygrants.com.au.

You can access and log into the SmartyGrants platform through business.sa.gov.au/floods to check on the progress of your application.

You can go to sa.gov.au for more information.

Yes, you can. All applications are assessed on a case by case basis and in some circumstances grants can still be issued if you don’t meet all the criteria.

Yes, if you operate more than one small business under a single ABN, you may apply for assistance for each eligible separate business for the relevant defined disaster area.

To determine eligible separate businesses, the following will be considered:

1. the staffing arrangement of the separate business;
2. whether the separate business has its own plant, equipment or stock;
3. the accounting and insurance arrangements of the separate business;
4. whether the separate business operates under their own trading name;
5. the commercial viability and autonomy of each business.

You can make multiple applications to the Small Business Flood Recovery Grant, up to the maximum of $25,000 (initial claim) and $50,000 after the subsequent claim.

You are not able to receive a Small Business Flood Recovery Grant for costs that you can recuperate through your own business’ insurance policy or policies.

However, there may be clean-up costs, equipment or items which are not covered, that you may be eligible to claim for under the Small Business Flood Recovery Grant in order to reinstate your business.

For your initial claim, we require a description of flood-related damage – supported by photos, quotations, tax invoices or receipts. Other appropriate evidence to prove financial impact may be accepted where the damage is unable to be photographed or receipts have been lost.

For a subsequent claim, please submit proof that you’ve paid the expenses incurred under the initial claim, including tax invoices and receipts. Additional quotations, receipts or tax invoices supporting the amount of the subsequent claim are also required.

Yes, on the condition that you meet all other eligibility requirements and, immediately before the flooding disaster, derived the majority of your income from the business, and would have continued to do so if it were not for this flood event.

Yes, you may be eligible to claim for the clean-up of a house, which is used as a short term rental.

Yes, you can use your own staff to clean-up and claim the cost of staff salary and wages. To do so, your initial claim should include a detailed outline of the recovery activities you expect your staff to undertake and the estimates of staff wages required for each activity. Your estimate may be subject to a loss assessment to check the cost claimed is reasonable for the claimed activities.

Yes. Landscaping recovery activities, including replacement of grass and gravel, for your business can be claimed under the grant, if essential for immediately resuming operation of the small business.

If you aren’t sure what the full extent of the damage is yet, or you haven’t got quotes and assessments done, we encourage you to start the application process.

Once you start your application, you can go back into your form at any time and add in quotes and other attachments as required.

You can also contact Rural Business Support on 1800 836 211. They can offer you up to 30 hours of free, confidential advice to help you get the documentation you need.

Where the expense is claimable under your insurance policy, it cannot be claimed under this program.

No, insurance excess cannot be claimed under this program.

The Small Business Industry Support Grant was established by the South Australian Government to help eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organisations trade through the River Murray flooding emergency.

If your business usually operates in the affected area and has experienced a downturn of 30% or more in revenue within the last three months, you could be eligible for a $10,000 grant which could help you:

• pay for your usual business costs such as utilities, rent and staff salaries
• seek financial advice to support your business’ recovery
• make changes to your business so it can operate effectively after the floods
• develop your business and extend reach through marketing and communications
• improve your resilience and future-proof your business for any future challenges
• retain your staff, stay connected and support your existing workforce.

This grant is not available to those who have already received financial support through the South Australian Government’s Business Early Closure Grant.

To receive a Small Business Industry Support Grant, you must demonstrate that you were operating a small business or not-for-profit organisation in a defined disaster area, and able to demonstrate a 30% or more decline in turnover from a self-chosen quarter, compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Evidence of the downturn would be provided in the form of bank or income statements, validated by a qualified accountant.

For full eligibility requirements, view the Small Business Industry Support Grants Guidelines.

You need to provide evidence that you have received a notification from SA Power Networks or the South Australian State Emergency Service (SES) stating that your power will or may, or is expected to be disconnected or interrupted at your principal place of residence/principal place of business or primary production activity within the River Murray regions related to the flood event.

This program is for the re-imbursement of costs incurred to purchase a generator. Details of the grants currently available for businesses can be found at https://business.sa.gov.au/floods and you are encouraged to check back periodically as other support packages may be announced over time.

You may wish to speak to someone at a Recovery Centre to determine whether you are eligible for any other supports at this time – remember to bring any relevant evidence with you.

If you are a business, you can access Financial Counselling.

To submit a claim for this program, you need to have received notification from SA Power Networks or the South Australian State Emergency Service (SES) that your power will or may or is expected to be disconnected or interrupted at your principal place of residence/business premises or primary production activity within the River Murray regions related to the flood event and be able to provide that evidence.

Yes you can, but you will need to show evidence that a financial transaction took place, such as an electronic funds transfer record, or a copy of a valid tax receipt clearly showing purchase date and purchase price. Please also include a description and a photo of the generator when you apply for the grant.

The Generator Grant payment will only be based on the cost of acquiring the generator. Any extra associated costs to connect or install it will not be covered by this grant.

You may wish to speak to someone at a Recovery Centre to determine whether you are eligible for any other supports at this time – remember to bring any relevant evidence with you.

No, this grant is for the purchase of a generator only; leases or rentals are not included.

Yes, you can buy a generator and then apply for the grant later, but remember to keep your receipt or proof of payment.

One grant is available for each eligible business. If you have multiple sites for one business under the same ABN you can only apply once.

No, the Generator Grant is only available if it is your principal place of residence/principal place of business or primary production activity.

You may wish to speak to someone at a Recovery Centre to determine whether you are eligible for any other supports at this time – remember to bring any relevant evidence with you.

Applications for the Generator Grant will close on 31 May 2023.

If the premises is not your principal place of business, but is a current operational location for your business, you may still be eligible to apply for the Generator Grant.

Every business with an active ABN that meets the eligibility requirements can apply for a grant.

No, an employing business is a business with staff that are under the control of the business who receive regular Pay As you Go (PAYG) salary or wages and PAYG Withholding amounts as well as superannuation paid by the employer. An owner, partner, or beneficiary of a trust is not considered to be an employee for the purpose of this grant.

The assistance package for businesses will be reviewed and we will work closely with the Australian Government to transition from the supports available currently to the supports that may be available in the future. Information is available on business.sa.gov.au/floods

Businesses can apply from when they need to close as long as they expect that they will need to remain closed for at least 14 days. For example, a houseboat owner who won’t be able to take bookings for the next 14 days because the river is too dangerous for recreational users.

Every business with an active ABN that meets the eligibility requirements can apply for a grant. You will need to provide evidence to confirm that your business is eligible.

Every business with an active ABN that meets the eligibility requirements can apply for a grant even if you're located interstate. You will need to provide evidence to confirm that your business is eligible.

Details of the grants currently available for businesses can be found at business.sa.gov.au/floods and you are encouraged to check back periodically as other support packages may be announced over time.

In addition, you may wish to consider registering in person at a Recovery Centre that has been established to assist people to access all of the supports available to them.

For all other information and support, please check sa.gov.au/floods

As of 1 November 2022, a business (either employing or non-employing) must meet all the following criteria to receive a grant payment:

• Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST;
• Carrying on the operation of a business located in the River Murray regions;
• Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (excluding GST) in the 2021-22 financial year;
• Not engage in illegal activity;
• An employing business will need to demonstrate a total Australian grouped payroll of less than $10 million in the 2021-22 financial year; and
• Such other criteria as approved by the Treasurer from time to time.

The business must have been forced to close or cease trading as a result of the high River Murray flows and associated restrictions for at least 14 days, with closure occurring prior to the date set by the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science.

The Business Early Closure Grant will close for all unsubmitted applications at 5pm Tuesday 31 January.

If you have not been forced to close or cease trading as a result of the high River Murray flows and associated restrictions for at least 14 days then you may not be eligible for the Business Early Closure Grant.