Service NSW –business support information

COVID-19 Business Grant

The 2021 COVID-19 business grant provides support for businesses that experienced reduced demand or had to close due to the public health orders. It will provide businesses with cash flow support for the first 3 weeks of the Greater Sydney lockdown (26 June to 17 July 2021).

Eligible applicants across NSW can use the grant for business costs incurred from 1 June 2021 to 17 July 2021, including:

• salaries and wages
• utilities and rent
• financial, legal or other advice
• marketing and communications
• perishable goods
• other business costs.

Applications will close at 11:59pm on 13 September 2021.

COVID-19 JobSaver Payment

JobSaver will provide cash flow support to impacted businesses to help maintain their NSW employee headcount on 13 July 2021.

Eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations with employees will receive fortnightly payments backdated to cover costs incurred from week 4 of the Greater Sydney lockdown (from 18 July 2021 onwards).

The payment will be equivalent to 40% of the weekly payroll for work performed in NSW:

• minimum payment will be $1,500 per week
• maximum payment will be $10,000 per week.

Weekly payroll should generally be determined by referring to the most recent Business Activity Statement (BAS) provided to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) before 26 June 2021 for the 2020-21 financial year.

If you’re a non-employing business, such as a sole trader, you may be eligible to receive a payment of $1,000 per week.

How to apply

1. Go to Service NSW JobSaver application page
2. Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Have your documentation and evidence ready for uploading.
4. Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
   Note: You can save and resume your application, but if you have not submitted it within 7 days, any details you’ve entered will be deleted.
5. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
6. Select and verify your identity documents.
7. When your identity is verified, select ‘Continue’.
8. Confirm your personal details.
9. Enter your business details and answer the eligibility questions, then select ‘Next’.
10. Provide information about your decline in turnover and upload your supporting documentation, then select ‘Next’.
11. Enter your bank details, then select ‘Next’.
12. Review your application.
13. Check the declaration boxes.
14. Select ‘Submit’ to complete your application.

When you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your application reference number. If you do not receive this email after completing your application, please check your junk mail folder.

After your application is received, it will be reviewed by Service NSW. We’ll contact you if we need additional information to support your application. If your application is approved, we’ll transfer funds to your specified bank account within 5 to 7 business days from the approval date.

If you’re not able to complete your application online, please call 13 77 88.

Applications will open on 26 July 2021 and close at 11:59pm on 18 October 2021.

COVID-19 Micro-business Grant

On 26 June 2021, the Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021 (‘the Public Health Order’) was issued. This restricted freedom of movement, gatherings and the ability of certain premises to open in the Greater Sydney region (Metropolitan Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, and Shellharbour). One day earlier (on 25 June) the 4 local government areas (LGAs) of the City of Sydney, Randwick, Woollahra and Waverley were subject to stay-at-home orders.

On 17 July 2021, the NSW Government updated the Public Health Order, which further restricted the movement of residents in 3 Sydney LGAs (Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool) and placed new limits on non-essential retail and construction activity across Greater Sydney.

On 21 July, the Public Health Order was amended to include a stay-at-home order for the regional areas Orange, Blayney and Cabonne Shire for an initial period of 7 days. Border restrictions have also been imposed by Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.

This has created challenges for many micro-businesses in New South Wales who have had their work impacted by the restrictions, while continuing to incur business costs.

The 2021 COVID-19 Micro-business Grant (‘the Grant’) is designed to provide cash flow support to micro–businesses with an aggregated annual turnover more than $30,000 and less than $75,000. The Grant will help micro-businesses survive the lockdown so they can continue to support the economy after restrictions are lifted.

The Grant will be available to micro-businesses in New South Wales impacted by the Public Health Order that meet the eligibility criteria outlined in this document.

Service NSW will deliver the Grant on behalf of the NSW Government.

By applying for this Grant, applicants agree:

• their application may be subject to an audit by the NSW Government or its representatives and agree to participate in the process if required, and
• Service NSW and Revenue NSW may use other data provided by applicants to other government agencies to assist with determining eligibility for the Grant.

Applications will open on 26 July 2021 and close at 11:59pm on 18 October 202

Micro-businesses requiring assistance with their online application can contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Queensland Government business support information

QLD – 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants

The Queensland Government has announced that $5,000 grants will be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown (commenced Saturday 31st July 2021) and lockdowns in other states.

The Queensland Government recognises the short interval between lockdowns in South East Queensland, and the unique circumstances faced by regional economies who are impacted by multiple border closures. These $5,000 grants will provide cashflow support for businesses to help them adapt to evolving circumstances.

Support payments will also be provided to affected large tourism and hospitality businesses within the lockdown areas.

The 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants will provide grants of $5,000 (excluding GST) to:

• Employing small and medium businesses across Queensland that are impacted by the current SEQ lockdown; and
• Large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors operating in the 11 local government areas in lockdown.

Businesses must have experienced at least a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the lockdown to be eligible as well as meeting other eligibility criteria.

Small and medium businesses are defined as businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 per annum and have an annual payroll in Queensland of up to $10 million.

Sole traders that are employing businesses will be eligible for the grants if they are not receiving, or are not eligible to receive, income support through the Australian Government’s disaster payment. Non employing sole traders may be eligible for support through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment with further information available on the Services Australia website.

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants for lockdown-impacted businesses in Queensland. Applications will open in Mid-August

Steven Marshall Premier South Australia – business support information

SA – Support Funds (27th July)

Business & Jobs Support Fund & the Community & Jobs Support Fund

The establishment of two new funds Business and Jobs Support Fund and the Community and Jobs Support Fund have been announced by the SA Government.

The Business and Jobs Support Fund will be used to directly assist individual businesses and industry sectors facing potential collapse and the loss of thousands of jobs due to the ongoing impacts of coronavirus and necessary new restrictions to limit its spread.

Among the new initiatives in the Government’s second stimulus package:

300 million Business and Jobs Support Fund

• A fund to support individual businesses and industry sectors directly affected by coronavirus, and face potential collapse – and the loss of thousands of jobs – as a result.

Payroll tax relief (Up to $60million of savings to business)

• 6 month waiver for all businesses with an annual payroll (grouped) up to $4 million.
• Eligible businesses won’t have to pay any payroll tax from April to September.
• This measure is expected to assist up to 2,400 businesses and save them up to $84,000 over the six months (average saving $25,000).
• Employers with grouped annual wages above $4 million able to defer payroll tax payments for 6 months on demonstration of significant impacts on cash flow of coronavirus.
• Around 4,300 businesses will be able to access this payroll deferral and is expected to increase overall cash flow by around $580 million.

Land tax relief (Up to $13 million in additional savings)

• From July, the Government’s significant land tax reforms will kick in, delivering $189m in savings to investors and landlords over the next three years.
• Under the new measures, individuals, and businesses with outstanding quarterly bills for 2019–20 able to defer payments for 6 months (up to 28,000 private land tax ownerships will benefit).
• For 2020–21 Land Tax Transition Fund relief will be increased from 50% to 100% based on existing relief criteria guidelines, saving some investors up to $50,000.

Fees and Charges

• Waiver of liquor licence fees for 2020–21 for those hotels, restaurants, cafes, and clubs forced to close as a result of new social distancing restrictions.

$250 million Community and Jobs Fund

• A fund to support community organisations, sporting, arts and recreational bodies, non-profit organisations as well as some industry sectors whose operations have been impacted by the coronavirus.
• Will also help with training of South Australians seeking new skills and employment and to assist organisations meet increased demand for services including emergency relief.

Cost of Living Concessions (An estimated additional benefit of about $30 million)

• A once-off boost of $500 and bring forward the 2020–21 ‘Cost of Living Concession’ for households who are receiving the Centrelink JobSeeker Payment, assisting those who are unemployed or lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus restrictions.
• For eligible homeowners, their 2020–21 payment of $215.10 will now become $715.10. Eligible tenants will receive $607.60.

Access to accrued leave for public sector workforce

• If a public servant has a family member who has lost their job and moved onto Commonwealth benefits, they will be able to receive their accrued leave down to a limit of 2 retained weeks (annual and long service leave).

For more information, and how to apply to the Funds, please email: BusinessandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au or CommunityandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

Govt of SA – Department of Treasury and Finance

South Australia – Support Grants

The South Australian Government has announced a July 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant Program to support thousands of South Australian small and medium-sized businesses that suffer a significant loss of income or have been forced to close as a result of the restrictions imposed from 20th July 2021.

Grants of $3,000 for employing businesses and $1,000 for non-employing businesses are available for eligible businesses whose turnover has declined by 30% or more as a result of the COVID-19 health restrictions in the week commencing 20th July 2021.

To be eligible for the $3,000 grant a business must meet all criteria listed below, at the start of the restriction period of 12:01am Tuesday 20th July 2021:

• Be located within South Australia.
• Have an annual turnover of $75,000 or more in 2020-21 or 2019-20 and be registered for GST.
• Have a valid and active ABN (Australian Business Number).
• Must employ people in South Australia.
• Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $10 million in the 2019-20 financial year.
• Experienced at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover in the week of Tuesday 20th July 2021 – Monday 26th July 2021 (inclusive) (compared to the prior week) due to restricted trading conditions.

To be eligible for the $1,000 grant, non-employing businesses will be subject to the eligibility criteria outlined above, excluding the requirement to employ people.

Where multiple non-employing businesses meeting the eligibility criteria are controlled by one individual, company, partnership, or trustee, funding will be restricted to one grant for all non-employing businesses controlled by the individual, company, partnership, or trustee.

Non-employing businesses are not eligible to apply if persons associated with the business, and who derive income from it, have applied for, or are receiving, the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

Businesses will be required to declare that they have experienced a loss or reduction in turnover due to restricted trading conditions. They will not be required to provide any supporting information at the time of application but will be required to retain supporting information for 12 months that could be made available for audit and compliance purposes such as:

• Turnover comparison data for the week prior to the assessment period.
• Emails or texts to or from clients or suppliers detailing cancelled orders or appointments.
• Receipts for refunds provided.
• Invoices or delivery dockets.
• Appointment/scheduling platform, demonstrating cancelled appointments or bookings.
• Screenshots of cancelled events.

Applications for a Business Support Grant will close at 11:59pm on 30th September 2021.

Treasury will contact via email successful grant recipients from the 2020 Rounds 1 and 2 of the Small Business Grant (SBG) through the email address submitted by the business as part of the SBG application process, to advise them of the new Business Support Grant. The applications process for these businesses will be fast tracked and payments expedited where business details have not changed.

Official grant guidelines and an application portal will be made available shortly. In the interim, register here, to receive a notification that applications are open.

Applications for the Business Support Grant must be submitted by 11:59pm, 30th September 2021.

Victorian Government – business support information

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have announced a new, jointly funded business support package, delivering an additional $400 million in support to thousands of Victorian businesses.

Business Continuity Fund

A $156 million Business Continuity Fund will be established to deliver $5000 grants to up to around 30,000 businesses that remain impacted by capacity limits placed on businesses by necessary public health restrictions.

Twenty-four eligible sectors are covered by the fund for businesses including gyms, cafes, restaurants, event businesses, catering services and hairdressers.

Recognising businesses located in the CBD will continue to be impacted due to restrictions on the number of staff allowed in office buildings, they will be eligible to receive an additional $2000.

To receive this funding, businesses must have received or be eligible for the Business Cost Assistance Program Round Two.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will receive a $70 million boost, with grants of up to $20,000 to support licensed venues as their operations continue to be impacted by current restrictions.

These grants recognise that larger venues depend more on dine-in and have higher operating costs, so need more support than smaller operations. An additional $2000 will also be made available to the business if it is located within the CBD.

To receive this funding, venues will need to have received or been eligible for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund

A new $85 million fund will be established to support small businesses who have not been eligible under existing business support funds.

Small businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million who have experienced a 70 per cent or greater reduction in revenue will be eligible for grants of up to $5000.

Alpine Business Support Program

Alpine Business Support will receive a further $9.8 million to deliver grants of between $5000 and $20,000 to 430 Alpine based businesses in recognition of restricted inter and intra-state travel during the peak winter season.

The funding also includes $5 million support to alpine resort operators and management boards.

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme

The reintroduced Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme will ease pressure by providing rent relief for eligible tenants, while separate support will be provided to landlords who do the right thing by their tenants.

The Scheme will be available to businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million and have suffered a decline in turnover of at least 30 per cent due to coronavirus.

Landlords will be required to provide proportional rent relief in line with a business’s reduction in turnover. A mediation service for tenants and landlords will further support fair tenancy negotiations.

Tenants and landlords will be encouraged to enter negotiations directly, with the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) available to provide mediation if parties cannot reach satisfactory agreement. Landlords will not be able to lock out or evict tenants without a determination from the VSBC.

Fully funded by the Victorian Government, an $80 million hardship fund for landlords who provide rent relief to eligible tenants will be created, with further details to be confirmed in due course.

Tenants and landlords can contact the Victorian Small Business Commission for further information on 13 87 22 or visit vsbc.vic.gov.au.

Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Disaster Payment

Individuals may also be eligible for financial support through the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

Most microbusinesses not registered for GST are eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment of $600 or $375 per week.

The Victorian Government is establishing a concierge service to help these businesses access this support.

Please see Grants & programs for currently available support with criteria and closing dated.

Around half of the Australian population is either in lockdown or will be shortly, as multiple states and territories struggle with growing Covid-19 clusters.

ACT

• There are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 in the ACT. However, with the significant movement of people between NSW and the ACT, COVID-19 is a very real risk of entering our community. Travel restrictions remain in place for NSW and Victoria.
• Businesses should also start planning for the possibility that density restrictions within the ACT may be changed in order to respond to an escalating situation. For more information see Management of COVID-19 outbreaks in the ACT

NT – Business Lockdown Payment Program

• Businesses affected by the COVID-19 lock down in the Top End can now access support under the Territory Business Lockdown Payment Program. The program is open to businesses located in the areas currently impacted by the COVID lockdown.
• Small businesses, not-for-profits and incorporated associations based in these areas can now apply for a one off payment of $1,000.
• The payment is designed to support businesses that have either ceased trading or suffered a revenue loss of 50% or greater during the lockdown.
• Eligible small businesses are those with a turnover of less than $10 million and less than 20 full-time-equivalent staff, and who have had to stop trading, or suffered a 50% drop in turnover during lockdown. The payment will help cover ongoing costs.

WA – Support & Advisory Services

• From 12:01am on Tuesday 29th June, the Perth and Peel regions will enter a minimum four day lockdown to stop movement and interaction around the community. The lockdown will apply until 12.01am Saturday 3rd July, pending ongoing health advice. Everyone urged to check-in using the SafeWA app or complete contact registers.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a significant economic impact on WA business. To help small business cope in the current environment, The Small Business Development Corporation have developed the following information resources WA – Support and Advisory Services
• The Western Australian Government continues to announce measures to support small business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For more information: WA – Government small business stimulus/relief package

Federal Support

The Australian Government is continuing with its Economic Recovery Plan by creating more jobs, training, and places to up-skill. Backing small business with incentives to invest and grow and providing tax cuts for working Australians.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment:

The $1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a one-off payment to help Victorian workers who have been directed to self-isolate or quarantine for 14 days, or care for someone who has been directed to self-isolate or quarantine.

$450 COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment:

The Victorian Government is providing a $450 COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment to support Victorian workers, including parents and guardians, who are required to self-isolate while you wait for the results of your COVID-19 test. Find out how you can apply for the $450 COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment.

For more information see Financial and other support for COVID-19

ATO Information

Find out about the income tax and GST consequences of government stimulus measures to assist Australians impacted by COVID-19: ATO – here to help

If you are worried you won’t be able to pay on time, or you’ve already missed a due date, the ATO have a range of options to support small business.

COVID-19 Disaster Payment – VIC, NSW & SA

• If you have been affected by the Victorian lockdown and have lost income, you may be eligible for the VIC COVID-19 Disaster payment.
• If you have been affected by the NSW lockdown and have lost income, you may be eligible for the NSW COVID-19 Disaster payment.
• If you have been affected by the SA lockdown and have lost income, you may be eligible for the SA COVID-19 Disaster payment.