Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible sectors include:

• Marine or coastal tourism operators, beachfront kiosks or cafes (must be listed on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse)
• Charter boat and fishing charter operators
• Marine-based sports or schools (e.g. surf schools)
• Seafood processors
• Commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders
• Marine and fishing supply chain businesses (e.g. tackle shops, marine equipment suppliers)
• Marine or coastal caravan parks and accommodation providers (excluding short-term rentals like Airbnb).

Successful applicants may use the grant for any of the following to support the continued viability of their business:

• meeting standing business costs, including utilities, salaries and rent
• seeking financial advice to support the ongoing operations of the business
• adjusting the business to be viable in the changed operating environment
• increasing business resilience
• developing the business and extending business reach through marketing and communications activities
• retaining, staying connected to, and supporting existing employees.

For the purpose of this program, ‘beachfront’ is defined as next to and directly facing the sea (seafront).

To be eligible for this grant, businesses must have had an Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million in 2024-25.

The Small Business Support Grant has been extended and increased to provide assistance for eligible businesses that are experiencing continued impacts from the Algal Bloom event.

Eligible businesses that have already received a grant payment can now apply for up to two additional payments if they can show impact over different or subsequent three-month periods between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2026 (called an ‘impact period’).

The second and third additional payments are up to $20,000 each (excluding GST). This means eligible businesses may now receive up to $50,000 in total assistance (excluding GST).

The third grant payment will be capped at the value of the verified decline in turnover for the relevant impact period. This means, if you are eligible for a third payment, you will receive the amount that is verified as the decline in turnover for the relevant impact period up to a maximum of $20,000.

For example: If your business turnover was $12,000 in the applicable impact period and $20,000 in the comparative period, your decline in turnover is $8,000 (a 40 per cent decline for the third impact period). In this case, the maximum third grant payment you could receive is capped at $8,000.

If your business continues to experience impacts from the Algal Bloom over a different or subsequent three-month period (called an ‘impact period’ in the guidelines), you may be eligible to apply for an additional grant payment.

Up to three payments are available under the program: an initial $10,000 payment, a second $20,000 payment and a third payment of up to $20,000 (excluding GST).

An application for an additional payment must demonstrate impact over different or subsequent three (3)-month periods in line with the program guidelines.

For example: If you apply for all three grant payments, you must show impact across three separate three-month impact periods – a total of nine months of impact.

Each impact period must be different and cannot overlap. For example:

• 1 April – 30 June
• 1 July – 30 September
• 1 October – 31 December

Each application must relate to a different or later three-month period.

It may not be the same eligibility criteria used in your first application for a grant payment, but it must be a different or later period.

If you have already received a Small Business Support Grant, you will receive an email notifying you that you can apply for an additional payment when the additional form is available.

Once notified, log in to your SmartyGrants account. The additional form will also appear in your dashboard.

You will need to provide evidence of continued impact over a different or subsequent three-month period(s) in accordance with the program guidelines.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include one or more of the following:

• Financial evidence, such as BAS statements or validated income statements showing another thirty percent (30%) or greater reduction in business turnover for a different or subsequent impact period.

• A notification from PIRSA confirming your licence fee has been waived in a different or subsequent three (3)-month period.

The application form will provide prompts on what evidence is required for each eligibility pathway.

You will not need to submit proof of identity documents or bank statements again unless something has changed.

Yes, eligible applicants can apply to receive up to three grant payments under the Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant. Your business will need to demonstrate eligibility criteria for three different three (3)-month impact periods between 1 April and 30 June 2026 to receive all payments.

However, you will not be able to apply for the second or third grant payment until you have been approved your first $10,000 grant payment. You will be sent the supplementary application form to apply again at the time of approval for your last payment.

If you cannot yet demonstrate continued impact in accordance with the guidelines for a different or subsequent impact period, you will not be eligible for an additional payment or payments.

You can still apply to receive an initial payment if you have not applied yet and can demonstrate impact in at least one period between 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2026.

The program close date has also been extended to 31 July 2026, meaning you may become able to demonstrate impact over time in a later impact period.

If your previous application is still being assessed, you’ll need to wait until it has been approved before submitting an application for an additional payment.

Once your first payment has been approved, you may then be invited to apply for a second or third payment if eligible.