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The Federal and NSW Governments are delivering a number of programs and resources to support businesses.

Federal Government 

The Federal Governments economic response focuses on keeping Australians in jobs and helping small businesses stay in business.  With 98% of the 32,000 registered businesses classified as small (employing less than 20 staff), there are a range of stimulus and support available to our small business community.  Visit the Australian Government website for businesses to find the latest COVID-19 government financial assistance and support for Australian businesses.  

On 13 July, The Australian Government and NSW Government announced greater support for households and businesses in New South Wales during the current COVID-19 lockdown, sharing the costs of many. 

Covid-19 Disaster Payment

If you lost income during the COVID-19 restrictions in Greater Sydney from June 2021, you may be eligible for COVID-19 Disaster Payment.  This is a lump sum payment to help workers unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 lockdown, hotspot or period of restricted movement.

From 29 July, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment increased from:

  • $600 to $750 if a person has lost 20 or more hours of work a week
  • $375 to $450 if a person has lost between 8 - 20 hours of work a week.

The COVID-19 Commonwealth Disaster Payment is:

  • Available as a recurring payment for approved recipients for as long as the Commonwealth declared hotspot and lockdown restrictions remain in place. This will remove the need for recipients to re-claim for each seven-day period of a lockdown.
  • Amended so that a person would be eligible for the payment, including where they are still working, provided they have lost more than 8 hours or a full day of work.

To find out more about eligibility and how to claim visit Services Australia website.  For further assistance, call the Federal Government helpline for businesses impacted by COVID-19 on 13 28 46.

State Government 

The NSW Government is delivering a program of business support through Service NSW.  Stay informed on what financial assistance is available to you by visiting NSW Services - help for small business. 

Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or book an appointment with a Service NSW business concierge to discuss how the latest restrictions impact your businesses and available support.  

2021 COVID-19 business grants program   

On 29 June 2021, the NSW Government announced the Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant and the Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant.  On 13 July 2021, they announced an expansion of the program to offer more financial support to NSW businesses.   

The grant amounts have increased and the eligibility criteria have been broadened so that more businesses can apply.  Eligible businesses with Australian wages below $10 million can now claim grants between $7500 and $15,000 (previously between $5000 and $10,000) to cover the first three weeks of restrictions.  Apply now.

Micro-business grants – $1500 payment per fortnight of restrictions  

A new grant program has been introduced for micro-businesses with turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 who experience a decline in turnover of 30 percent.  These micro-businesses will be eligible for a $1500 payment per fortnight of restrictions.  Apply now.

Business and employee support program – ‘JobSaver’   

A business support package will be available to businesses with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $250 million that can demonstrate a minimum of a 30 percent decline in turnover.  This program will be delivered by NSW Government together with the Commonwealth to provide cash flow support to businesses to help them retain staff.  

To receive the payment, eligible businesses will be required to maintain their full-time, part-time and long-term casual staffing level as of 13 July 2021.  Eligible businesses, which includes not-for-profits, will receive payments of between $1500 and $100,000 per week based on the level of their payroll.  For non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, the payment will be set at $1000 per week.  Applications opened 26 July 2021, apply now.

Additional support measures  

Payroll tax waivers of 25 percent will be available to businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 percent decline in turnover, as well as payroll tax deferrals and interest-free repayment plans.

Land tax relief will be available, equal to the value of rent reductions provided by commercial, retail, and residential landlords to financially distressed tenants, up to 100 percent of the 2021 land tax year liability.  

There will be no recovery of security bonds, or lockouts, or evictions of impacted retail and commercial tenants prior to mediation.  

There will be a deferral of gaming tax assessments for clubs until 21 December 2021 and hotels until 21 January 2022.  

A $75 million support package will be available for the performing arts sector to be administered by Create NSW.  

A support package for the accommodation sector worth $26 million will also be available.   

Further details about these support measures, including final guidelines, eligibility criteria, and evidence requirements, will become available on the Service NSW website.   

Customers can register to be notified when COVID-19 financial support programs are available by entering their name and email address in the form available at Service NSW. 

Hospitality and Tourism Covid-19 Support Grant

Tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an annual Australian wages bill of below $10 million, as of 1 July 2020, are eligible.  Your business must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW or be able to demonstrate you are physically located and primarily operating in NSW.

Full criteria available on the Service NSW website.  Applications have now closed.

COVID-19 Service NSW QR Code mandated extended businesses

Use of the Service NSW QR code will be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses from Monday 12 July.  These businesses will need to display the Service NSW QR code and take reasonable steps to ensure people entering their premises check-in using the Service NSW QR codes or digital sign-in sheet:

  • Retail businesses and supermarkets
  • Individual shops within shopping centres 
  • Shopping centres will also be asked to display QR codes at entry points where practicable
  • Gyms
  • Offices, including call centres
  • Manufacturing and warehousing
  • Universities and TAFE
  • Schools including teachers and visitors (such as parents and contractors) but excluding students.

Dine and Discover vouchers extended to 30 June 2022 

While restrictions are in place, customers may use vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by venues. Vouchers can't be redeemed for orders via third party delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats.  The NSW Government has extended the Dine & Discover program to 30 June 2022, allowing more time for people to use the vouchers. 

Small Business Fees and Charges rebate

If you are a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $1500.  From 5 July this includes businesses not registered for GST or with annual turnover of below $75,000.

This rebate helps businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and encourages growth by reducing the cost of running a business. Eligible businesses or not-for-profits only need to apply for the rebate once, but can submit multiple claims until the full value of $1500 is reached.

Funds can be used to offset the costs of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges. These include, but are not limited to:

  • food authority licences
  • liquor licences
  • tradesperson licences
  • event fees
  • outdoor seating fees
  • council rates

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