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Onshore Business Assistance
Onshore Business Assistance has now been finalised.
About Onshore Business Assistance?
Onshore Business Assistance was provided by the Australian Government to assist businesses that are significantly affected by reduced fishing activity. This assistance was provided in two ways:
- Onshore Business Development Assistance
This assistance was targeted towards helping those businesses that offer the greatest potential for strengthening Australia's onshore sector. Applications can be for any amount up to $250,000.
- Onshore Business Exit Assistance
This assistance was provided to help eligible owners diversify their operations. It may be used to start up entirely new businesses in a different sector, or to help fund their retirement from the fishing related sector. Applications can be for any amount up to $100,000.
Some fishing concession lessees may be eligible for Onshore Business Exit Assistance. To be eligible, they must have been leasing a fishing concession on 23 November 2005 that they lost access to as a direct result of the concession buyback, and that they are unable to suitably replace. Applications can be for any amount up to $50,000.
Onshore Business Assistance was a discretionary grant program. The first round closed on 12 January 2007, and an announcement of the outcomes was made on 23 April 2007. The second round closed on 25 May 2007 and the outcomes were announced on 6 September 2007. The third round was opened on 2 October 2007 and closed on 31 October 2007. The results of the third round were announced on 21 December 2007.
Businesses directly associated with the Commonwealth fishing industry that could demonstrate they were, or will be significantly impacted by the fishery reductions were eligible to apply for Onshore Business Assistance.