AUSTRALIAN live cattle exporters will share in a $30 million dollar Federal Government assistance package.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she understands the government's decision to suspend live exports to Indonesia earlier this month is putting pressure on beef producers.

She says the package will meet the short-term hardship being faced by the industry.

Ms Gillard said struggling producers would be able to apply for an immediate cash injection of $5000 and make a further claim for up to $20,000 of financial assistance.

The funds will be administered through Centrelink.

"This assistance will be provided to those directly in the live cattle industry, the growers in the industry, the people who run the live cattle farms," Ms Gillard said.

"But it will also be available to businesses that rely on the live cattle industry for their work."

That would include trucking and helicopter companies that help with cattle transportation and mustering.

The prime minister stressed the package wouldn't last.

"The best thing we can do for the industry is to get the trade resumed with Indonesia with the animal welfare issues addressed and we are working hard on that," she said.

Ms Gillard said a means test would not apply to the package because it was "a hardship grant" for business, unlike the income subsidy arrangements announced yesterday.

"The key criteria here is that expenditure is being made," she said, adding exporters should check their eligibility with Centrelink.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson welcomed the assistance package, saying it was going to help people who were really hurting.

The package would provide some certainty for families linked with the cattle export industry.

"Territorians want their jobs back," he said.

"(They) want their livelihoods back, want to be able to sleep at night, knowing that this trade is back on track again."

Mr Henderson said his Primary Industry Minister Konstantine Vatskalis would visit Indonesia next week to see first hand what was happening on the ground to upgrade abattoir facilities.

Cattle Council of Australia chief executive David Inall said the council was pleased the government had alleviated some of the financial hardship northern producers were under.

"This is just part of the way forward. What producers need is certainty as to where their next pay cheque will come from. They have ongoing bills to pay and the longer the trade is suspended, the tougher it gets to hold on," Mr Inall said.

"There is a need for greater Government to Government high-level discussion to get this trade back on track," he said.