COVID-19: NSW Support Packages

The NSW government has announced new COVID business support packages to assist those that have been hardest hit by the Omicron wave. Below we summarise the following packages:

• Small Business Support Program

• Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT rebate

• Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant

Service NSW will soon update their website to reflect these changes and provide further information on new support packages.

Small Business Support Program

Includes support for eligible businesses that:

• had an aggregated annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million for the year ended 30 June 2021; and

• experienced a decline in turnover of 40% or more due to Public Health Orders or the impacts of the Omicron strain during the month of January 2022, compared to January 2021 or January 2020; and

• experienced a decline in turnover of 40% or more due to the impacts of the Omicron strain from 1-14 February 2022, compared to the same fortnight in February in the comparison year used for the above criterion; and

• maintain their employee headcount from 30 January 2022.

Eligible businesses will receive 20% of weekly payroll as a lump sum for the month of February. The minimum payment will be $750 per week and the maximum will be $5,000 per week.

Non-employing businesses will receive $500 per week (paid as a lump sum of $2,000)

The program is for the month of February and businesses will be able to apply through Service NSW from mid-February.

Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate

The small businesses fees and charges rebate has been increased by $1,000 (from $2,000 to $3,000). Businesses will also now be able to use the rebate to cover half the cost of Rapid Antigen Tests. Other uses for the funds include:

• Food authority licenses

• Liquor licenses

• Tradesperson licenses

• Event fees

• Outdoor seating fees

• Council rates

• Road tolls

Businesses who are already registered will receive an automatic top up of $1,000.

Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant

• The regulations under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 for small retain and commercial tenants will be extended for an additional two months, until 13 March 2022.

• Grants of up to $3,000 per month, per property, are available for eligible landlords who have provided rental relief waivers to affected tenants. Rent relief waived must comprise of at least 50% of any rental reduction provided.

• Program is expanded in 2022 to landlords who claimed the 2021 land tax relief.