Acknowledging the difficulty that business operators have faced, the NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has announced a package of measures to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19 over January and February 2022.
Small Business Support Package
The NSW Small Business Support package provides eligible employing businesses with a lump sum payment of 20% of weekly payroll, up to a maximum of $5,000 per week for the month of February 2022. The minimum weekly payment for employers is $750 per week.
Eligible non-employing businesses will receive $500 per week (paid as a lump sum of $2,000).
To be eligible for this package, businesses must:
- Have an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2021; and
- Experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40% due to Public Health Orders or the impact of COVID-19 during the month of January 2022 compared to January 2021 or January 2020; and
- Experienced a decline in turnover of 40% or more from 1 to 14 February 2022 compared to the same fortnight in either 2021 or 2020 (you must use the same comparison year utilised in the decline in turnover test for January); and
- Maintain their employee headcount from “the date of the announcement of the scheme” (30 January 2022).
The support package only covers the month of February 2022. Applications for support are expected to open mid-February.
Fees and charges rebate increased and extended to RAT tests
The NSW small business fees and charges rebate has been increased from $2,000 to $3,000. In addition, the rebate has been extended to cover up to 50% of the cost of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) purchased by the business to protect staff and clients. The rebate for RAT tests will be available “by March” and is unlikely to cover RAT tests purchased prior to the funding coming online to prevent additional pressures on the RAT test supply chain.
The rebate is not a cash payment but a digital credit that businesses can draw down on to offset the cost of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges.
Note that there is an existing $5,000 small business Alfresco Restart rebate available for small and medium food and beverage businesses wanting to create or expand their outdoor dining area. Applications for this rebate are open until the end of April 2022 (or when the allocation is exhausted).
Eligibility
The fees and charges rebate is available to sole traders, small business, and not-for profits that have:
- Total Australian wages below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold ($1.2 million)
- An Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW and/or have business premises physically located and operating in NSW.
Already registered businesses will receive an automatic top up of $1,000 and newly registering businesses will receive a rebate of $3,000. Only one rebate is available for each ABN.
How to apply
- Check the eligibility criteria.
- Go onto the ServiceNSW website and log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
Note: You cannot save and resume your application once you’ve started. - Select and verify your identity documents.
- When your identity is verified, select ‘Continue’.
- Confirm your contact details.
- Enter the required information and upload any supporting documents, then select ‘Next’.
- Enter your bank details.
- Review your application.
- Check the declaration boxes.
- Select ‘Next’ to submit 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 within 5 minutes after completing your application, please check your junk mail folder, and then call 13 77 88.
After your application is received, it will be reviewed by Service NSW. Service NSW will contact you if you need additional information to support your application. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details of how to make a claim.
If you’re not able to apply online, please call 13 77 88.
Commercial landlord relief extended
The protections under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 for small retail and commercial tenants will be extended for an additional two months, until 13 March 2022. This regulation prohibits certain actions by landlords (such as lock out or eviction) unless they have first renegotiated rent with eligible tenants and attempted mediation.
The grant provides up to $3,000 per month (GST inclusive), per property, for eligible landlords who have provided rental waivers to affected tenants.
Rent waived must comprise at least half of any rental reduction provided. The remaining portion may be a rental deferral. The grant does not apply to rent deferrals.
Grants are paid as a lump sum amount for the rent waived.
How to apply
- Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Go onto the ServiceNSW website and log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
- Follow the prompts to apply for a commercial landlord hardship grant.
If you own multiple properties, you’ll need to submit an application for each eligible property.
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.
Service NSW will review your application and contact you if we need additional information to support your application. Processing may take up to 20 business days.
If your application is approved, funds will be transferred to your specified bank account within 5 business days from the approval date.
If you’re not able to complete your application online, please call 13 77 88.
NSW Performing Arts Package extended
The existing NSW Performing Arts COVID Support Package has been extended until April 2022.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, you must be one of the following:
- An eligible venue (list published by Create NSW)
- A producer of an eligible performance scheduled to perform at one of the eligible venues
- A promoter of an eligible performance scheduled to perform at one of the eligible venues.
How to apply
To submit your application, you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form through our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.
The link to this grant is here -> https://artsnsw.smartygrants.com.au/2021NSWPerformingArtsCovidSupport
We’re available to assist you with the support offered for your business, please contact our office to discuss your eligibility and for any assistance.
