Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants

Western Queensland Surface Trough and Associated Rainfall and Flooding

Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants are available from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority(QRIDA) to assist directly impacted primary producers, small businesses, and non-profit organisations with the costs of clean-up and reinstatement.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available for affected producers following the Western Queensland Surface Trough and Associated Rainfall and Flooding, commencing 21 March 2025, to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process. Producers should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application/s.

Applicants need to show they are an eligible primary producer, within the declared disaster area and demonstrate they have suffered direct impact from the disaster.

Read below and the guidelines for more information.

The maximum grant amount is $75,000 and can be accessed through the following:

• Initial application/s up to the total amount of $5,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of the direct damage is required such as photographs and quotations, tax invoices or official receipts.
• Subsequent application/s up to the total amount of $70,000 is available to support subsequent claims for which full evidence of payment is required.

Complete applications are assessed in order of receipt and QRIDA may request further information to help assess an application.

How to apply

Providing you have the required documentation and meet eligibility; you can apply for the grant over a number of applications or two separate applications.

Example 1:

• If you have estimates or quotes to the value of $5,000, then you can make an initial application for the full $5,000
• If you only have estimates or quotes to the value of $5,000, you can choose to submit an initial application for that $5,000. Any subsequent applications for further assistance will require you to demonstrate how you have spent the initial $5,000, and all additional amounts, by providing evidence, such as receipts or invoices and proof of the payment of these.
• This initial amount is to support with cash flow back into the business with either deposits, small payments and more.

Example 2:

• You have now spent the initial $5,000 on deposits and/or minor work and require additional funding to complete the work
• Once you have applied for and received the initial funding, any subsequent applications for further assistance will require you to demonstrate how you have spent the initial funding, and all additional amounts, by providing evidence, such as receipts or invoices and proof of the payment of these.
• You can apply for subsequent funding amounts as often as needed until you reach the total amount.

How can the assistance help you?

Eligible clean-up, reinstatement activities and emergency measures include:

• Equipment and materials to undertake clean-up
• Additional labour costs (above and beyond normal wage expenditure i.e. day-to-day staffing)
• Disposing of damaged goods such as lost or damaged crops, and injured or dead livestock, including associated costs
• Repairs to buildings (other than housing)
• Fencing not covered by any other assistance
• Reconditioning/ repairing essential plant and equipment
• Salvaging crops, grain and feeds
• Purchase or hire/ lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of the business
• Payment for tradespeople to conduct safety inspections
• Essential repairs to premises and internal fittings that is not covered by insurance
• Replacing lost or damaged crops (including pasture-based crop and sugar cane) with the same or comparable crop 
• Replacing lost or damaged plants (including root stock, seedlings, seeds and tube stock).

Am I eligible?

Find out if you are eligible for a QRIDA Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant by completing the Eligibility Checker HERE.