In response to the devastating flooding affecting Western Queensland, MTA Queensland is ready to ensure that members have the support and information needed to navigate through these challenging circumstances.
WORKPLACE RELATIONS SUPPORT
MTA Queensland’s Workplace Relations team is here to help with any workplace matters during this challenging period. Where a business is required to close early, or not open, due to inundation, this may be considered a situation over which an employer has no control. The Fair Work Act (2009) allows an employer to stand down employees in certain circumstances when the employee cannot be usefully employed because of a stoppage of work for which the employer cannot reasonably be held responsible.
For more information on stand downs, please visit the MTA Queensland Member Portal HERE.
An alternative to standing down employees without pay is for the employer to suggest employees request to take accrued annual leave until the premises or area of work affected is able to operate. If an employer finds themselves in a position where they cannot find suitable alternative duties and so elects to stand down any employees, it is best practice to tell each of the affected employee(s), in writing, the following:
- The start and finish date of the stand down
- Whether the employee will be paid or not paid
- The effect on other employment entitlements
- General inability to attend work due to flooding
If an employee is unable to attend work because of flooding, or other event that impacts the community, then in these circumstances being absent is unpaid leave. Of course, they are able to request to be take annual leave either paid or unpaid depending on whether there is an accrual. In such circumstances there is no automatic entitlement to Personal or Carers’ Leave because the reason for not getting to work does not meet the criteria as stated in the National Employment Standards. In other cases, an employee may need to stay home to look after school aged children whose school is damaged due to any number of reasons. Where this is an unexpected emergency, then Carers’ Leave may be appropriate.
For more information, visit the Fair Work website HERE.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Loans now available for disaster-affected businesses
Financial assistance is available for small and family businesses impacted by flooding in Western Queensland.
Disaster Assistance Loans and Essential Working Capital Loans have been activated for businesses in Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton local government areas.
These loans are designed to support small businesses to re-establish operations relating to:
- Repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment
- Repairing or replacing buildings
- Restocking inventory to resume operations
Eligible small and family businesses, non-profit organisations and primary producers can apply for:
- Disaster Assistance Loans – Up to $250,000 to support essential recovery efforts.
- Essential Working Capital Loans – Up to $100,000 to assist with immediate operational costs, including wages, rent, and creditor payments.
To apply visit the QRIDA website at www.qrida.qld.gov.au
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
We understand that these events may be emotionally overwhelming. If you or your staff members are experiencing stress or need emotional support, please reach out to the following helplines:
• phone Lifeline’s crisis hotline on 13 11 14
• phone Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• phone Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
• or if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, call 13 YARN.
The Queensland Government also provides valuable resources to assist with mental health support, family welfare, business assistance, and community recovery. These include:
- Managing stress after a disaster – This information outlines how to recognise reactions to a disaster and learn how to take care of yourself with advice on how to overcome stress and who to contact for help.
- Support Groups – This information lists not-for-profit organisations who provide post-disaster emotional support and crisis hotlines.
- Family relationships after a disaster – This information helps with understanding a family’s most common reactions after a disaster and what to do to help recover, including where to go for support.
- Business support – This information assists with disaster resilience and recovery for businesses.
If you need further assistance or have questions, please contact MTA Queensland’s Member Services team at (07) 3237 8777.
This information is general advice only. Please contact MTA Queensland’s Workplace Relations Advisors for more specific advice and assistance.
3 April 2025