NSW business support after Omicron
NSW business recovery support
The State Government has announced new programs, grants and rebates to support business recovery in NSW, including:
- new 2022 Small Business Support Program
- expanded small business fees and charges rebates
- extending the Commercial Landlord Hardship grant
- extending the NSW Performing Arts Relaunch Package
The 2022 Small Business Support Program
This new program will help businesses survive the immediate impact of the Omicron wave.
Eligible businesses with turnover between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a minimum 40% decline in turnover in January 2022 – and the first fortnight of February 2022 – can apply for support through this program.
Employing businesses will be eligible to receive 20% of weekly payroll as a lump sum for the month of February, with a minimum payment of $750 per week and a maximum payment of $5000 per week.
Non-employing businesses will receive $500 per week paid as a lump sum of $2,000.
The 2022 Small Business Support Program is for the month of February only.
Businesses can apply through Service NSW from mid-February 2022.
Applicants will be contacted by Service NSW and asked to provide any additional information they need to finalise their application.
Most applicants submitting complete and eligible applications through Service NSW should receive payment within 5-15 days of applying. (Payment timeframes can be affected if applications are incomplete, require additional verification or if potential fraudulent behaviour is identified.)
Expanded small business fees and charges rebates
The existing rebate will increase from $2,000 to $3,000 in late March 2022.
Eligible employing small businesses will be able to use the rebate against the cost of rapid antigen tests (RATs).
The small business fees and charges rebates can also be used to pay other fees and charges like:
- food authority licences
- liquor licences
- tradesperson licences
- event fees
- outdoor seating fees
- council rates
- road user tolls for business use.
Businesses that have already registered for the rebate will receive an automatic top-up of $1,000 and newly registered businesses will receive a rebate of $3,000.
Businesses can apply for the expanded small business fees and charges rebate through Service NSW. Eligible small businesses can claim government fees and charges incurred from 1 March 2021 to 30 June 2022.
If your business has not yet registered for the rebates, set up a business profile with Service NSW or read more information on the fees and charges rebate on Service NSW.
Extended Commercial Landlord Hardship grant
This grant has been extended until 13 March 2022 in line with new legislation.
Grants of up to $3,000 per month (GST inclusive) are available for eligible landlords who have provided rental waivers to affected tenants.
Rent waived must be at least half of any rental reduction provided.
Apply for the Commercial Landlord Hardship grant through Service NSW or read more about COVID-19 support for tenants and landlords.
Extended performing arts package
Create NSW will extend the Performing Arts Relaunch Package from 14 February 2022 to 30 April 2022.
It will also increase funding to performing artists in NSW.
This package will provide funding to entities and performing artists in NSW that are continuing to be impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to access other financial support.
This includes a one-off grant to Support Act to provide crisis relief to music workers in NSW who can’t work due to the impact of COVID-19.
- Entities and artists can apply through Create NSW
Other NSW government business support
Export assistance through Going Global support
The Going Global package includes assistance grants for exporters, tailored workshops and opportunities to explore new markets.
Export Assistance Grants of up to $10,000 are available for up to 1000 export-ready or export capable NSW businesses until 30 June 2022.
- Check eligibility and apply online through Service NSW
COVID-19 TechVouchers for startups, scaleups and other businesses
Apply before 10 February 2022 for a government co-contribution to accelerate commercialising products and services that address disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Payroll tax support
Revenue NSW offers eligible businesses a support payment arrangement to help with payroll tax until 28 February 2022.
If you’d like any assistance or advice around accessing any of the above grants or funding opportunities please contact us on 02 6041 3014.