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Government of South Australia - Department of Industry, Innovation and ScienceOffice for Small Family and Business

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Supporting industry through the
Algal Bloom event

Financial relief payments now available

Support for business and industry impacted by the Algal Bloom event in South Australia

A naturally occurring algal bloom is currently affecting South Australia's coastline, causing serious harm to the environment, local communities, and businesses that rely on our beaches and oceans.

The South Australian and Australian Governments have announced a significant support package, including financial relief payments for impacted commercial fisheries, licenced aquaculture businesses and eligible marine industry businesses.

The Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant provides grants to license holders who have been unable to catch or harvest their usual volume of marine species, have had to stop operations due to extended harvest closures, or have had their license fees waived.

Additionally, the Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant is designed to support a broader range of eligible marine industry businesses (small businesses and not-for-profit organisations) that have experienced a material reduction in turnover as a result of the algal bloom event, or have had their license fee waived.

A one-off Algal Bloom Resilience Grant provides funds of up to $150,000 for eligible fisheries and aquaculture businesses who have been impacted by the algal bloom to support projects that build business resilience, take advantage of new opportunities and help protect jobs.

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November update: Grants increased and extended

Eligible businesses that have already received a Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant or Small Business Support Grant through the initial $28 million support package can now apply for additional grant payments if they can demonstrate further separate three-month periods of downturn.

The closure date for these grants has been extended to 31 July 2026.

For the Small Business Support Grant, second and third grant payments of $20,000 each are now available - meaning eligible small businesses and not-for-profits may be entitled up to a total of $50,000 in support for downturn through to mid-2026.

For the Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant, a second grant payment of up to $100,000 is available for eligible businesses, plus up to $25,000 to support employee wages – meaning the hardest hit licence holders may now be entitled up to $225,000 in support.

If you have already received a grant and would like to apply for a second or third grant payment, log in to the application portal to complete an additional grant payment form.

FG 1

Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant

Grants to support eligible licence holders that have been unable to catch or harvest their typical volume of marine species, or have been unable to operate due to extended harvest closures.
FG 2

Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant

Grants to support eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the marine industry whose turnover has been impacted as a result of the algal bloom event.
FG 3

Algal Bloom Resilience Grant

Grants of up to $150,000 for eligible licence holders that have been impacted by the algal bloom to support business projects that build business resilience, take advantage of new opportunities and help protect jobs.
SA Government information hub

Other Government supports

To support the crisis response, the South Australian and Australian governments have committed significant funding towards research, clean-up efforts, community support, industry help, and public information. The South Australian Government has also published information, health advice, and Frequently Asked Questions to address community concerns.

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Financial counselling

Free, independent and confidential advice

Rural Business Support (RBS) has been engaged by the South Australian Government to provide financial counselling to small and family businesses impacted by the algal bloom event.

An RBS representative can help you understand if your business is eligible for funding through our grant programs and, if so, help you complete an application.

Through RBS, you can also meet with an industrial relations (IR) and human resources (HR) specialist. This free workforce support may include advice on staffing matters such as employee retention or, if necessary, supporting team members through periods of downturn and redundancy.

Contact Rural Business Support
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Contact us about this support package

If you have a question about the support package, you can contact the Office for Small and Family Business by calling the Business Grants Infoline on (08) 8429 0700, emailing us at algalbusinesssupportgrants@sa.gov.au or using the contact form below.

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