How to access business support

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The State Government’s Department of State Development is providing a range of measures to support impacted businesses, and their owners and staff, through the algal bloom across South Australia.

Andrew Dunbar is the Executive Director of Industry, Innovation, and Small Business at the Department of State Development.

He and his team have been working to help impacted businesses get the best support possible, as quickly as possible.

This assistance includes three grants currently available.

“As part of the Summer Plan, the government is investing $21.5 million in fishing and marine sector support, including an $8 million extension of the Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grants and the Small Business Support Grants, plus $3 million for Algal Bloom Resilience Grants,” Mr Dunbar said.

The Algal Bloom Small Business Grant provides up to $50,000 for eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in eligible marine industry sectors whose turnover has been impacted because of the algal bloom event.

The Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant provides up to $225,000 to support fisheries and aquaculture licence holders who have been unable to catch or harvest their typical volume of marine species, or have been unable to operate due to extended harvest closures.

The Algal Bloom Resilience Grant offers a grant of up to $150,000 to support commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders to invest in creating new opportunities and improving their business resilience.

So far, 77 businesses have received funding through the Small Business Grant, 75 businesses have accessed the Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant, and applications for the recently-opened Resilience Grant are being actively assessed.

Mr Dunbar said application closure dates have been extended and the number of payments businesses can receive has increased, so business owners who already applied for or received a grant should check if they are eligible for additional payments. 

He also encouraged businesses to apply for grants with as much information as possible about their circumstances even if they are not sure if they meet all the criteria, as the assessment team can determine if they are eligible for an exemption. “Exemptions have been made to support businesses in relevant industries genuinely impacted by the algal bloom event,” he said.

Another financial support offering is licence fee relief for commercial fishers, aquaculture and charter boat operators through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).

The relief package sees licence holders offered a waiving of fees such as the PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture annual licence, Biosecurity SA Food Safety Scheme, and Aquaculture lease and licence fees until at least June 30, 2026.

The Coast is Calling travel vouchers, dining cashback schemes, and coastal event grants are further financial measures to support coastal communities.

Mr Dunbar said there were non-financial support measures also available.

“Businesses can also access financial counselling, business planning, mental health support, and workforce advice available to help them manage their financial challenges, plan for recovery, and strengthen their business for the future,” he said.

Rural Business Support has business financial counsellors who provide free, independent, and confidential support to small, family and rural businesses impacted by the algal bloom such as tailored financial counselling, help with business planning, workforce advice, and recovery planning.

Seafood industry advocacy body Seafood Industry South Australia (SISA) is receiving state government support to improve the sector’s resilience by developing a long-term recovery strategy, contingency plan, and reusable model to better manage any future crisis events.

“SISA has employed a team of Algal Bloom Industry Support Officers that are advocating for their members across the state and assisting business owners with grant applications,” he said.

“The state government has also provided additional support for ‘Stay Afloat’, a mental health and wellbeing program for the seafood industry, which is run by Seafood Industry Australia.”

Mental health and wellbeing resources for businesses and the wider community have been made available on the SA Health website by searching ‘algal bloom mental health support’.

“It’s important for business owners that are feeling the impacts of the algal bloom to know that they are not alone, and that help is out there,” Mr Dunbar said.

Businesses are also encouraged to subscribe to the Office for Small and Family Business e-Newsletter – visit business.sa.gov.au for more information.