Travel agent relief subsidy falls short for Tamworth businesswoman Louise Brock as she calls for more government help for coronavirus-ravaged industry

The industry was hit harder than nearly any other, and as the rest of Australia begins to return to normal, travel agencies are still struggling to keep afloat.

A new $130 million government relief package is designed to help, and while Ms Brock appreciates support for the sector, she said the assistance was of no use to her because of eligibility criteria.

"The announcement has been long waited on and was expected prior to the end of JobKeeper when many agencies were crunching numbers trying to keep as many highly qualified staff employed or in fact, their doors open in the first place," The Tamworth-based agent said.

"[For] my business, no, the grants released from government are of absolutely no assistance to me personally."

Significant oversights in round one of the program have not been addressed, she said, and a lack of consistency from National Cabinet is contributing to low traveller confidence.

Ms Brock will again have to fend for herself to support her family of five, which she has done by taking on three part-time jobs on top of running her business since the start of COVID.

Working as an accountant, a travel agent, a communication officer and a disability carer - which is something she never saw herself doing - has understandably left her stressed and stretched for time.

She has done it with a positive attitude, however, revealing she has actually seen her time looking after two autistic children in her carer role as a "silver lining" of the entire saga.

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Ms Brock is keen to return to her passion though, which is helping people travel around the world, but unfortunately that is still off the cards for the foreseeable future.

"After the shockwave that was unpicking a year's work for clients and refunding that year's income along with saying good bye to 80 to 90 per cent of the expected forward income - domestic travel was what all remaining agents turned to," she said.

"Sadly then the inconsistency of approach to state border closures effectively put the nail in the coffin to consumer confidence domestically, and who can blame them."

Despite being critical of the government, she did reveal Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce had both been helpful in fighting for her on local issues such as gaining travel exemptions for people flying to funerals.

Mr Joyce said he understands local travel agents have been struggling and in literal tears at times throughout the pandemic.

But he is optimistic the relief package will be of use to some who are trying to keep their doors open.

"This will be of a real assistance to get people through to when the planes start flying again," he said.

"It [the first round] just wasn't enough so we had to go back and do it again."

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