Victorian businesses, primary producers and community sport organisations with direct damage due to the 2022 Victorian floods can now access more support through an $877 million Commonwealth and Victorian Governments recovery support package.

The new Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants offer grants of up to $50,000 to help cover eligible expenses arising from flood damage to property, assets, stock or equipment.

Businesses and organisations must be located within a local government area deemed eligible for assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement (defined disaster area).

This package follows the recent launch of both the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program and the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program, which offer fast, one-off $5000 grants to businesses and sport and recreation organisations respectively, that need support to cover immediate expenses.

The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Program includes two new grants to help primary producers get back on their feet as quickly as possible and support recovery in affected communities.

Primary Producer Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 support clean-up, relief and recovery efforts, and replace the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grants.

Rural Landholder Grants provide flood-affected small-scale producers with up to $25,000 to help with recovery, and to manage animal welfare and biosecurity risks.

Under the same program, $1.7 million will go towards the delivery of workshops on technical decision-making after floods, equipping farmers with the skills and knowledge to make the best choices for their businesses and make a clear plan for the future.

A further $480,000 will go towards the Rural Financial Counselling Service so it can meet the increased demand from farmers seeking free, confidential and independent planning and support services.

The Business Relief Service is now offering free, confidential, one-on-one support from a local business relief adviser via phone and on the ground to Victorian businesses. Advisers can help you complete your application and make plans to recover, make informed decisions about recovery expenses and gather the necessary evidence and information to apply for a grant.

To arrange a call from a Business Relief Adviser, you can register online or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

For other support options including grants, financial and mental health support, please see October 2022 Victorian floods – business support.