State by State COVID-19 business benefits

Over the past 18 months Commonwealth and State governments have released a number of support packages to assist Australian businesses and individuals to remain financially viable throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Below you will find a state by state breakdown of the available financial and support packages provided by the Commonwealth and state governments.

Individuals  impacted by COVID-19 can find out more about government payments that may be available to them, including the COVID-19 Disaster Payment - a lump sum payment to help employees unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 lockdown.

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is available to individuals who cannot generate an income due to self-isolation orders or to care for dependents in self-isolation.

FEDERAL

COVID-19 Disaster Payment
Information about the COVID-19 Disaster Payment can be found via the Prime Minister’s Media Release and on the Services Australia website.
 

Backing business investment - accelerated depreciation
Eligible businesses, for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 income years, may be able to deduct the cost of new depreciating assets at an accelerated rate using the backing business investment - accelerated depreciation rules.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Support for small to medium businesses (including sole traders) and small non-profits.

For businesses or organisations with annual turnover of more than $75,000 for which revenue has declined by 30% or more due to the lockdown.

Support available

2021 COVID-19 Business Grants

One-off grant of $7,500 to $15,000 depending on your business’ s revenue decline, which is payable for the first three weeks of the lockdown.

JobSaver

Payments of 40% of pre-COVID NSW weekly payroll, from $1,500 to $100,000 per week (paid fortnightly); $1,000 weekly for non-employing business. Available from 18 July 2021.

Payroll tax support

Provides a 25% reduction in FY22 payroll tax for eligible businesses; Payroll tax payments deferred until 7 October 2021 for all businesses; and Interest free 12-month repayment plans for deferred payroll tax. Availability is based on the full lockdown period.

Support with tenancy

Landlords can’t evict impacted retail or commercial tenancies without mediation. Provides land tax relief for landlords who reduce the rent for impacted tenants up to 100% of their 2021 land tax liability. These protections will last for the whole lockdown.

Compare the available COVID-19 business grants and payments to determine which support best fits your business needs, here.

Support for micro-businesses (including sole traders) and small non-profits

To be eligible your business or organisation must have a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 per year, and your revenue has declined by 30% or more.

Support available

2021 COVID-19 Micro Business Grants

Fortnightly grant of $1,500 From the start of the lockdown. If you are a sole trader, you are not eligible for BOTH the 2021 COVID-19 Micro Business Grant and the 2021 COVID-19 Disaster Payment. You also cannot receive both the 2021 Micro-Business Grant and the Commonwealth Disaster Payment.

Support with tenancy

Landlords can’t evict impacted retail or commercial tenancies without mediation. Provides land tax relief for landlords who reduce the rent for impacted tenants up to 100% of their 2021 land tax liability. These protections will last for the whole lockdown.

VICTORIA

A $367 million package announced by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments on Thursday 12 August is set to provide financial assistance to many businesses in Victoria.

Support available

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund

To help businesses that have not qualified for existing support programs and have experienced a reduction in revenue by at least 70%. Businesses that are legally allowed to operate but have been unable to generate revenue due to restrictions.

Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two

The Victorian Government launched a round of grants for eligible small to medium businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses impacted by May-June 2021 restrictions in Victoria.

Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two - July Extension

The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension provides eligible businesses that had not previously applied for the Program in June, or have since become eligible, with the opportunity to apply for $4800 in support.

Business Costs Assistance Program Round Three - 12 August 2021 Top-Up for metropolitan Melbourne

Additional payment for businesses based in metropolitan Melbourne that were recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension grant.

Business Costs Assistance Program Round Three

On Friday 6 August 2021, the Victorian Government announced an additional automatic payment for successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension.

Business Continuity Fund

The Business Continuity Fund supports businesses in 24 sectors that were affected by additional capacity limits when reopening in late July 2021 under COVID-19 restrictions.

21 July 2021 Top-Up Payment

On Wednesday 21 July 2021, the Victorian Government announced another top-up payment for successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

16 July 2021 Top-Up Payment

The Victorian Government announced a further top-up payment for successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

Business recovery and resilience mentoring

The Victorian Government and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) pair up to deliver a business mentoring program to help small businesses navigate the economic challenges posed by restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

COVIDSafe Deep Cleaning Rebate

Rebates to help businesses cover the cost of cleaning after closing a worksite due to a suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID?19) case.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Victorian Small Businesses

Providing mental health support to Victorians dealing with the challenges of running a small business to help them navigate through the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Circuit Breaker Business Support Package

Package to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders, under the circuit breaker restrictions announced on 27 May 2021.

Partners in Wellbeing helpline

A confidential, one-on-one service providing support for small business owners and employees through trained wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors and business advisors. 

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme will alleviate financial hardship faced by tenants and landlords as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

QUEENSLAND

Support available

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants for lockdown-impacted businesses in Queensland

Successful applicants will receive the total value of the boosted grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the size of your annual payroll. Applications close 16 November 2021.

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants - non-employing sole traders

Under the joint Queensland and Australian Government package, a $1,000 one-off grant to non-employing sole traders across Queensland has been announced.

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants for employing businesses

Eligibility requires: a turnover of more than $75,000 per annum and an annual payroll in Queensland of less than $1.3 million; been impacted by the South East Queensland lockdown starting 31 July 2021 or the Cairns and Yarrabah lockdown starting 8 August 2021 or any other Queensland lockdown in August 2021.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) business assistance finder

Use this tool to discover what support is available from the Queensland and Australian governments, plus Queensland local councils.

Queensland COVID-19 cleaning rebate

Covers up to 80% of professional cleaning expenses, capped at $10,000 (excluding GST) per incident, where a business is identified as a COVID-19 exposure site by Queensland Health.

ACT

Support available

COVID-19 Business Support Grants

Deliver support of up to $10,000 for employing businesses and up to $4,000 for non-employing businesses over the three-week lockdown period where those businesses' turnover has declined by 30 per cent or more as a result of the COVID-19 health restrictions.

COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Scheme - up to $10,000

Eligible small businesses will soon be able to apply to the ACT Government to receive credits for payroll tax, utility charges, rates and other selected fees and charges up to a maximum of $10,000 per operator. To be eligible for credits the applicant must be able to demonstrate 30 per cent loss in revenue.

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

Employees who are unable to earn an income during the lockdown may be able to access the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment. Payment amounts will vary from $200 to up to $750 depending on the hours of work lost during the lockdown and other eligibility criteria.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Support available

Business Support Package

The Business Support Grant of $3,000 will be available to eligible small and medium businesses that suffer significant loss of income due to the lockdown, and $1,000 to eligible sole traders.

The COVID-19 Disaster Payment

Provides financial Support for South Australians who were unable to work due to the public health order restrictions from 21 July to 27 July 2021.

SA Health mental health support

Free resources are available for anyone feeling overwhelmed or needing additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Business Support Grant - July 2021

Supporting small and medium-sized businesses that suffered a significant loss of income or have been forced to close as a result of the restrictions imposed from 20 July 2021.

COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant

The COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant has been introduced for industry sectors that are significantly impacted by the COVID-19 density and other trading restrictions applicable from 28 July 2021.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Support available

Territory Business Lockdown Payment Program

A $1000 payment established to provide immediate financial support to businesses during the current lockdown period.

Lockdown (round 2) payment is available from 17 August

A once-off extended closure payment of $1,000 will be made available to eligible businesses that have experienced a significant downturn in turnover or ordered to shut following the chief health officer’s (CHO) direction.

TASMANIA

Support available

Business Hardship - Border Closure Critical Support Grant

Grants of between $2,000 and $10,000 is available to businesses that have suffered a significant reduction in turnover as a direct result of lockdowns and border closures in other states, as a result of a reduction in the ability to provide, sell or import/export goods and services.

Business Growth Loan Scheme

To assist businesses to build business resilience and capacity to adapt to a significantly disrupted and uncertain business environment. The minimum loan amount is $20 000 and the maximum loan amount is $3 million.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Support available

While there are some grants available for specific industries, such as indigenous businesses, there are no COVID-19 specific grants that apply to all businesses.

Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants - round 2 (as at 19 July 2021)

The grant program will provide $3000 cash flow support to small businesses in industry sectors most impacted and will be made available to eligible small businesses across Perth, Peel and regional Western Australia.

Electricity offset (updated 14 June 2021)     

The State Government announced a $43 million package to support small businesses in the Perth, Peel and South West regions impacted by the five day lockdown between 31 January and 5 February 2021. This included a $500 electricity offset for eligible Synergy and Horizon Power customers, available via RevenueWA.

Indigenous business assistance during coronavirus

Additional resources have been announced by the Australian Government and WA Government that will help Indigenous businesses through the coronavirus pandemic.