A $10,000 grant to assist South Australian businesses impacted by algal bloom

The $10,000 Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant is a voluntary payment to assist businesses impacted by the algal bloom event.

You may be eligible for this grant if your business has experienced a 30 per cent (or more) decline in business turnover over the timeframe specified in the grant guidelines.

A second $10,000 payment may be available to eligible businesses if you can demonstrate decline in turnover over an additional period.

Applications are open until Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Funding may be used in any way that supports the continued viability of your business, including:

standing business costs, including utilities, salaries and rent
financial advice, marketing, or other business development activities
adjusting the business to be viable in the changed operating environment
retaining and supporting existing employees.

View Guidelines

ALERT: Grant program update

Applications for the Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant have been extended until 31 March 2026.

You may be eligible for a second $10,000 grant payment if your business continues to be impacted by the algal bloom.

What's an 'impacted marine industry category'?

The Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant is designed to support small businesses and not-for-profit organisations that fit into the following categories:

marine or coastal tourism operator* (excluding hospitality and food services)
charter boat and fishing charter operator
marine-based sport and/or school (e.g. surf school)
commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holder
seafood processor
marine and fishing supply chain manufacturer or retailer (e.g. tackle shops, marine equipment suppliers)
marine or coastal caravan parks, camping grounds and other accommodation providers (excluding short-term private/holiday rental providers, e.g. private properties rented through real estate agents or booking sites such as Airbnb or Stayz)*.
beachfront kiosk/cafes*.

(*) Must be listed on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse as at the date of application.

Information about this grant program

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the grant, your business must:

be operating within an impacted marine industry category, as described above;
be a legal entity established in Australia;
be a South Australian Entity (business or not-for-profit organisation);
hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) as at 1 January 2025;
be registered for GST at the time this package was announced (22 July 2025); and
have an Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $1.5 million in 2024-25;

As well as demonstrating:

minimum business turnover of $18,750 in the 3-month comparative period; and
A decline in business turnover of 30 per cent or more (using comparative period).

Different eligibility conditions apply for not-for-profit organisations not registered for GST, and for newer businesses not in operation throughout the comparative period.

Only one application for a grant can be submitted per Australian Business Number (ABN).

See the full grant guidelines for more information.

What's the 'comparative period'?

Grant applicants are asked to demonstrate business impact by showing a 30 per cent or more reduction in business turnover.

You can choose any consecutive 3-month period from 1 April 2025 to 28 February 2026, and compare it with the corresponding 3-month period in 2024.

For example, if turnover is measured from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025, the comparative period would be 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024.

For a second payment, the impact period must be different (or subsequent) and cannot overlap with the dates used in your first payment.

Easier access for commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders

If you have had your licence fees waived by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), and meet the standard business eligibility criteria described above, you may not need to demonstrate the necessary decline in business turnover.

When completing your application, you'll be able to bypass this requirement.

Evidence required

To demonstrate that your business meets the above criteria, the application process will require you to submit the following for the relevant periods:

a copy of lodged business activity statements (BAS). Where this is not available, copies of income statements/financials validated by a registered tax agent.
a copy of the business’ bank statement.
a Certificate of Currency for any business insurance policy, if applicable.

You may be required to provide additional or alternative evidence based on your unique business situation, or as requested by South Australian Government grant assessors as part of the application process.

If applying for a second payment, you won’t need to resubmit proof of identity documents.

Program Guidelines

Prior to commencing your application, please ensure you read the full grant guidelines and gather the necessary evidence. Full details around eligibility and evidence required are available for download in the Program Guidelines

Full guidelines

Already received a grant?

If your business continues to be impacted by the algal bloom and you have experienced a 30% decline in turnover over another three-month period from 1 April 2025 to 28 February 2026, you may be eligible for a second $10,000 grant payment.

To apply for a second payment, the impact period must be different and cannot overlap with the dates used in your first payment. To support your application, a copy of your lodged Business Activity Statement (BAS) showing decline in turnover must be submitted.

If you are eligible for a second grant payment, you will receive a notification on your dashboard when logged into the application portal.

Apply now

Applications for this program are now open, and can be submitted via the online form below.

Please review the Program Guidelines to ensure you have all the evidence required prior to starting your application.

Apply now

Don’t quite meet the requirements of this grant?

Exemptions to this program's eligibility criteria can be granted in exceptional circumstances to support businesses in relevant industries genuinely impacted by the algal bloom event.

Our team can work with you to determine if this is appropriate in your case. However, if we don’t have your details, we’re not able to help.

To ensure you’re given every opportunity to access South Australian Government supports, please:

Begin an application for the Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant, even if you’re not certain of your eligibility;
Contact our team to discuss your unique situation. Once we have your details, we can get in touch if additional or alternative support becomes available; and
Visit algalbloom.sa.gov.au to view the full South Australian Government Algal Bloom Response Package. Here, you can also sign up for news and updates on further support as it becomes available.

Email our business support team

Call our business support team

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Algal Bloom Small Business Support Grant

A $10,000 grant to assist South Australian businesses impacted by algal bloom

ALERT: Grant program update

What's an 'impacted marine industry category'?

Information about this grant program

Eligibility criteria

What's the 'comparative period'?

Easier access for commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders

Evidence required

Program Guidelines

Already received a grant?

Apply now

Don’t quite meet the requirements of this grant?

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