 "NEW! State by State COVID-19 Government support packages")
NEW! State by State COVID-19 Government support packages
Below you will find a revised state by state breakdown of the available financial, support and information packages provided by the Commonwealth and state governments. NEW! 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. Individuals may also asses their suitability for myriad government payments now available by visiting Getting Help During Coronovirus COVID-19 - if you need a payment. 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 The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (ACCI) Workplace Relations and WH&S team have prepared a comprehensive guide for employers on COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace. ACCI's new guide, COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace - Edition 1 sets out how employers can participate in the vaccine roll-out and how to navigate issues related to vaccinations that may arise in the workplace, including the mandating of vaccines. COVID-19 Disaster Payment Backing business investment - accelerated depreciation
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. NEW! Freedoms for fully vaccinated people NSW will start to reopen once it reaches its 70% double vaccination target. NEW! COVID-19 vaccinations business support products Business NSW continues to advocate for businesses in the evolving COVID-19 situation. Find all the information and resources you and your employees need to stay informed on available, approved COVID-19 vaccinations.
Support available NEW! Extension of JobSaver - 2 October 2021 From 10 September, eligible businesses / NFPs need to log into the Business Profile of MyServiceNSW each fortnight to reaffirm the minimum turnover decline and employee headcount maintained for payment to continue. Eligible businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $250 million that continue to experience a minimum 30% decline in turnover due to the Public Health Order will be eligible for payments of up to 40% of their pre-COVID weekly NSW payroll. 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. NEW! Extension of the 2021 COVID-19 Business Grants - 1 October 2021 Ongoing support via JobSaver is available for businesses that experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more or had to close due to the Public Health Order, in the restriction period 26 June 2021 - 17 July 2021. NEW! Test and Isolate payment - eligibility extended From 9 September, a one-off support payment of $320 is available to eligible workers who live in NSW and are required to test and isolate immediately. Before 9 September, the support was only available to workers from an area of concern. The payment is designed to avoid potential transmission of the virus through workplaces when people do not get tested as soon as they are required or fail to follow the isolations rules. Read the guidelines including eligibility criteria here. 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. NEW! Payroll tax deferrals and waivers Businesses eligible for a 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant or JobSaver with payrolls $10 million or less will be eligible for a 50% reduction (waiver) in their 2021-22 payroll tax, up from 25%. All businesses will also be able to further defer payroll tax payments due from July 2021 through to December 2021. The payments will now be due on 14 January 2022, and 12-month interest-free repayment plans will become available. NEW! Support for commercial, retail, and residential landlords Eligible commercial and retail landlords that provide rental waivers to COVID-19 impacted tenants and have not claimed land tax relief, will be eligible for a monthly grant of up to $3,000. Eligible residential landlords can choose between applying for land tax relief or a further payment of $1,500, taking total assistance to a maximum of $4,500 per tenancy if they agree to reduce the rent for COVID-19 impacted tenants by at least $4,500. NEW! Commercial tenancy protection Landlords may not be able to take action such as eviction, if the impacted tenant breaches a retail or commercial lease due to the impacts of COVID-19. Tenants and landlords must once again renegotiate the terms of the lease, including rent. The period of protection has been extended to 13 January 2022. 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.
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 NEW! Extension of COVID-19 Micro-business Grant - 2 October 2021 From the week commencing 13 September, eligible businesses need to log into the Business Profile of MyServiceNSW each fortnight to reaffirm the minimum turnover decline and employee headcount maintained for payment to continue. Eligible businesses with a turnover of more than $30,000 and less than $75,000 that continue to experience a minimum 30% decline in turnover due to the Public Health Order will be eligible for a fortnightly payment of $1,500. 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.
Other support and payments NEW! Click for more information on the 2021 COVID-19 Support Package NEW! Support for individuals impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders is also available through Services Australia. NEW! Find out about help for small business including requesting a call from a Business Concierge. The COVID-19 Safety plan is required to keep your business on track with compliance, and if relevant, take a look at the Jobs Plus program. NEW! General support is also available including telephone with translated services. NEW! Keep up to date with NSW government COVID-19 updates. NEW! For mental health and wellbeing refer to the recommended resources and organisations for support.
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 COVID-19 Disaster Payment - applications open Eligible workers and individuals who run sole-trader businesses who lose work and do not qualify for Victorian government support programs may receive:
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. NEW! Business Costs Assistance Program - automatic payment Businesses in metropolitan Melbourne who previously received or are approved to receive the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension grant, will automatically receive payments.
The program aims to allow businesses across multiple sectors to continue paying overheads and other costs despite impacts on revenue. 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. NEW! 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. NEW! Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four Additional payments for businesses across Victoria that were recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension grant. 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. 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. 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. NEW! Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund 3 Grant support to eligible small landlords that have waived rent for their tenants under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme. NEW! Victorian Business COVID-19 Recovery Roadmap The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on behalf of our members, customers and Victorian business proposes the following recovery plan which aligns with previous measures from the Victorian Public Health team and the National Cabinet framework and is underpinned by the Doherty Institute modelling.
QUEENSLAND NEW! The Queensland Government will deliver a new $5 million financial support package for regional small businesses in a round of Business Basics Grants. Program guidelines, FAQs and eligibility criteria for the program are now available at business.qld.gov.au/business-basics
Support available NEW! COVID-19 Border Business Zone Hardship Grants Businesses in the border business zone may also become eligible for a hardship payment of $5,000 for employing businesses or $1,000 for non-employing sole traders due to the border closure. This grant will become available if the current border closure extends for 2 months or longer (until or longer than 14 October 2021). Grants may be available in mid-October 2021. Further information will be available shortly. 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. 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 NEW! COVID support following South Australia’s seven day lockdown South Australian small and medium-sized businesses forced to close as a result of the state’s lockdown (beginning 20 July 2021) may be eligible for a $3,000 emergency cash grant as part of a major financial assistance package announced by the Government of South Australia. 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. 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 To reduce the burden on businesses to access the additional payments, those whose applications were successful in either initial Border Closure Grant program or the existing program, will automatically receive the additional payment. There is no need to complete any additional paperwork. 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. 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. |
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