Assistance for business

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With the frequency and severity of natural disasters increasing in Australia, it has never been more important for businesses owners and operators to be prepared for the threat of floods, fires and damaging weather.

It could also be a disaster that affects just one business, like an extended electrical outage threatening perishable stock, or cyber criminals taking over your e-commerce website.

Preparing for a disaster is simply good business. It could be the difference between your business being out of action for a few days or not re-opening at all. 

Resources in the Get Ready for Disasters kit

Prepare your business for disasters

You think it will never happen to your business. Until it does. Are you ready?

The frequency and severity of natural disasters is increasing in Australia, meaning that there will be more floods, more storms, more bush fires and more heat waves. For businesses, it’s not just about the immediate damage but the flow-on impacts such as power outages and transport and communication interruptions. Following a disaster, it can take months to get your business back up and running.

This free toolkit has been developed to help you get your business ready for disasters in five simple steps.

Prepare your business for disasters in five simple steps

Insurance Claims for Small Business

This quick guide to making an insurance claim will help you through the claims process so you can get your claim paid quickly and smoothly after a disaster or disruption.

Insurance Claims for Small Business

Get Back to Business: A guide to recovering from disaster

Get back to business is a step-by-step guide for business owners dealing with a disaster. It outlines how you can recover and even bounce back better than ever.

The guide provides information on the five phases of disaster recovery – from the moment disaster hits to the days, weeks and months ahead. There are action checklists on how you can work through each phase of recovery. There are also several case studies highlighting lessons learned by other small businesses who have been faced with disaster.

Get Back to Business: A guide to recovering from disaster


Business Continuity Plan

Every business should have a Business Continuity Plan. No business is immune to the risks of disruption or disaster. Nobody thinks an emergency event will happen to them, but preparing your business to survive such an event is vital for every business owner.

This practical guide takes you through the essential steps to build your own Business Continuity Plan. It provides easy to use templates and checklists that can be filled out, creating a comprehensive business continuity plan unique to your business needs. 

Prepare for the Unexpected: Build a Business Continuity Plan


What to do in an emergency

1. Stay Up To Date

It's important to stay up to date with the latest information. In a flood event, the situation can change quickly.

Regularly check your state emergency service website for the most up to date information about the situation and any actions you need to take.

2. Follow Emergency Procedures

When an emergency happens you should follow your business’s emergency management plan.

If you don't have one, you can use our take action checklist to help you though the next steps.

3. Keep Your Business Running

There are steps you can take to help keep your business operating in times of unexpected circumstances and disasters.

Use our guide to continuing your business for help to keep your business running, plan your recovery and protect your business.

4. Ensure Your ABN Details Are Correct

Make sure your ABN details and business location are correct on the Australian Business Register (ABR).Government agencies use this information to check if you are eligible for financial assistance, grants or support during emergencies.

Did you know?

Your main business address on the ABR should not be a post office box or tax or BAS agent address (unless you are running your business as a tax or BAS agent).To ensure you have access to the right government financial support, we need to know the physical street address of your business or organisation.

If you haven’t updated your ABN details on the ABR for some time, go to the ABR website to check andupdate your ABN details.


Disaster and emergency assistance for business

Recovery assistance is available to businesses impacted by natural disasters and emergencies. 

Service NSW Disaster and emergency assistance for business


Assistance for businesses affected by storms or floods
If your business has been affected by recent storms or floods, there's a range of support available to help you get your business back up and running.