On 20 April 2026, applications opened for the $1 billion Economic Resilience Program to be drawn from the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.
Through the Economic Resilience Program, eligible Australian businesses can apply for zero interest loans if they have been impacted by market disruptions or are maintaining and building national strategic and economic resilience.
There are two streams to the program:
NRFC administered stream: Zero interest loans administered by the NRFC for companies impacted by market disruptions or maintaining and building national strategic and economic resilience.
THIS STREAM REMAINS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
Bank administered stream: Zero interest loans administered directly by a participating bank for companies who are seeking a loan of up to $5 million. This support was designed to prioritise logistics and manufacturing businesses in areas such as freight, fuel, plastics and fertiliser who were materially impacted by market disruptions in early 2026.
THIS STREAM WAS DESIGNED TO OPERATE FOR SIX MONTHS AND APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
NRFC administered stream
(STREAM REMAINS OPEN)
Businesses who are seeking a loan of more than $5 million can contact the NRFC directly to apply for a zero-interest loan. This stream of the program remains open for applications.
These loans:
- Have no maximum amount
- Can be tailored to suit individual business needs
- Can be used to respond to market disruption.
- Can also be used to maintain and build industrial capabilities that contribute to Australia’s national interests, particularly those critical to the nation’s strategic and economic resilience.
- Are subject to the NRFC’s usual due diligence and investment processes
How to apply: Businesses seeking a loan through this part of the program should fill out the webform below to discuss their needs directly with the NRFC.
Bank administered stream
(APPLICATIONS FOR THIS STREAM ARE NOW CLOSED)
The bank administered part of the Economic Resilience Program was aimed at supporting manufacturing and logistics businesses, with a focus on businesses operating in freight, fuel, fertiliser, and plastics critical supply chain sectors that have been impacted by market disruptions.
Businesses seeking a loan of up to $5 million were able to apply directly through a participating bank for this part of the program. The bank-administered stream was designed to operate for six months. Applications for this program stream closed on 20 October 2026.
A range of other support for businesses remains available at business.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window)
The bank administered program part has been successful in delivering:
- Zero interest loans to 470 eligible businesses
- A total of $558.5 million in loans approved
- Loans to businesses in every state and territory of Australia
- Loans across industries including road freight, fuel, plastics and fertiliser.