BTFA members who reside and work in QLD, NSW, VIC and SA who have been adversely affected by recent lockdowns may be eligible for financial support. Below are the government support packages that the BTFA is aware of in each state.
Queensland
The Queensland Government will be offering financial support to businesses and individuals affected by the SE Queensland snap lockdown from 4pm 31st July until 4pm 8th August 2021. You can apply from 7th August 2021.
New South Wales
Eligible NSW businesses, sole traders and not-for-profit organisations will be able to apply for up to $15,000 from the first of the NSW Government’s economic support packages known as the Accelerated 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant.
Applications for the second tranche of assistance, which includes the Micro Business Support Grants and the JobSaver program, will open from Monday, 26th July.
From July 26, the Micro Business Support Grant will be available for eligible businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 that experience a decline in turnover of 30 per cent or more. Eligible businesses will receive $1,500, tax-free, per fortnight of restrictions.
In addition, the joint NSW Government and Commonwealth JobSaver program will help small and medium businesses retain staff.
Eligible businesses with a turnover from $75,000 and up to $50 million who maintain their staff headcount will receive tax-free fortnightly payments of 40 per cent of their weekly payroll, with a minimum payment of $1,500 per week, and a maximum payment of $10,000 per week. Eligible non-employing businesses will receive $1,000 per week. These payments will also be made fortnightly.
Support for individuals impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders is available through Services Australia.
For more information on the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants visit the NSW Government website.
Victoria
The Victorian Government has announced a range of new supports to bolster communities and businesses most affected by the current restrictions.
Eligible Business Costs Assistance Package Round Two assists eligible small to medium businesses in sectors most affected by the May-June 2021 restrictions in Victoria. The program offers grants of up to $7,000 to eligible businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses.
At this stage, businesses that were eligible for grants resulting from the May to June lockdown will receive automatic payments. These grants were the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Costs Assistance Program and payments are $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Eligibility for the May to June grants was restricted to businesses in heavily impacted industries, see details here.
An extension to the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two will open for applications by the end of July. You can find program guidelines here.
Businesses that had chosen not to apply for these support programs in relation to the May/June lockdown, or had been ineligible to apply but are now eligible, will be welcome to apply for July lockdown support payments and will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process.
Discussions with the Commonwealth Government have confirmed that the vast majority of micro businesses not registered for GST will be eligible for the Covid-19 Disaster Payment of $600/$375 per seven-day period. The Victorian Government will establish a concierge service to help these businesses access this support.
Business mentoring: Eligible Victorian businesses can receive up to four free two-hour mentoring sessions through the Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program. An experienced professional will help you make informed decisions about the future of your business. Get tailored guidance on business recovery, market transformation, digital literacy and engagement, market and supply chain diversification, reskilling and retraining.
Free help from the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline: If you run your own small business, you may be able to get free and confidential wellbeing coaching, financial counselling and business advice for you and your employees. Call the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline on 1300 375 330 for assistance (9am-10pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends). A live chat function is also available on the website.
More information about businesses support is available at business.vic.gov.au.
South Australia
South Australian small and medium-sized businesses suffering a significant loss of income as a result of the state’s seven-day lockdown (20-27 July) will be offered a $3,000 emergency cash grant as part of a major financial assistance package announced by the Government of South Australia.
The major support package also includes a new $1,000 cash grant for eligible small businesses who don’t employ staff, such as non-employing sole traders.
From Wednesday, 28 July, workers in the nationally-designated hotspots of Adelaide, Adelaide Hills and Gawler who lose between 8-20 hours of work during the first week of the SA lockdown may be eligible for a $375 COVID-19 Disaster Payment from the Australian Government. Those who have lost more than 20 hours may be eligible for $600.
The Government of South Australia has today announced matched levels of support for workers outside of these nationally-designated hotspots, who have been subjected to the same lockdown restrictions but may not meet the criteria for a national COVID-19 Disaster Payment (which is limited to those located in an active hotspot).
Despite the different sources of funding, all eligible South Australians will apply for this financial support through the same Australian Government (Services Australia) system, with applications opening in the next couple of weeks.
Relevant links:
https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/business-and-events/support-for-businesses
https://business.sa.gov.au/news-events/Financial-support-for-South-Australian-businesses
Applications for the grant are expected to open within the next two weeks via the SA Treasury website and grants will be processed as quickly as possible. To register interest in business support cash grants, visit the SA Treasury website or email commservices@sa.gov.au.
With thanks to Yoga Australia for collating the above information.