NSW COVID-19 Support Packages
COVID-19 BUSINESS GRANT
Businesses, sole traders or NFPs (with Australian wages below $10 million and turnover between $75,000 and $50 million) may be eligible for a one-off payment to help businesses with cashflow support for the first 3 weeks of lockdown. Eligible businesses may be eligible for the COVID-19 Business Grant of:
$7,500 for a decline in turnover of 30% or more
$10,500 for a decline in turnover of 50% or more
$15,000 for a decline in turnover of 70% or more
The decline in turnover is calculated by comparing either of the following:
have experienced a decline in turnover of more than 30% or more due to the Public Health Order over a minimum 2-week period from 26 June 2021 to 17 July 2021 compared to:
the same period in 2019, or
the same period in 2020, or
the 2-week period immediately before the Greater Sydney lockdown commenced (12 June 2021 to 25 June 2021).
Businesses must maintain their employee headcount as at 13 July 2021 for the period for which the business is receiving payments under this grant and the JobSaver scheme.
Non-employing businesses are not eligible to apply if persons associated with the business, and who derive income from it, have applied for, or are receiving the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
Where to apply: Service NSW (Applications now open and will close 1 October 2021)
JOBSAVER
JobSaver will provide cash flow support to impacted businesses to help maintain their NSW employee headcount on 13 July 2021.
Eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations with employees will receive fortnightly payments backdated to cover costs incurred from week 4 of the Greater Sydney lockdown (from 18 July 2021 onwards).
The payment will be equivalent to 40% of the weekly payroll for work performed in NSW:
minimum payment will be $1,500 per week
maximum payment will be $100,000 per week.
If you’re a non-employing business, such as a sole trader, you may be eligible to receive a payment of $1,000 per week.
Eligible businesses can use JobSaver to cover business costs incurred from 18 July 2021. These costs may include:
salaries and wages
utilities and rent
financial, legal or other advice
marketing and communications
perishable goods
other business costs.
Eligibility
have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
demonstrate your business was operating in NSW as at 1 June 2021
have had a national aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $250 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020
for employing businesses, maintain your employee headcount on 13 July 2021 while you continue to receive JobSaver payments
for non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, show that the business is the primary income source for the associated person. If you have more than one non-employing business, you can only claim payments for one business.
AND TESTING ELIGIBILITY
have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more due to the Public Health Order over a minimum 2-week period within the Greater Sydney lockdown (commenced 26 June and due to end 28 August 2021) compared to:
the same period in 2019, or
the same period in 2020, or
the 2-week period immediately before lockdown commenced (12 to 25 June 2021)
Maintain their Employee Headcount means the employer will not take active steps to end the employment relationship with their employees. Employees who have been stood down under the Fair Work Act 2009 or take leave without pay are considered employees for the purpose of headcount. Businesses will remain eligible if their employee headcount declines for reasons outside the control of the employer, for example if employees voluntarily resign.
Where to apply: Service NSW
MICRO BUSINESS GRANT
Businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 that can demonstrate a 30% decline in turnover (where the business is the primary source of income) may be eligible for fortnightly grants of $1,500.
Please note: sole traders are not eligible for BOTH the NSW COVID-19 Micro Business Grant and the COVID-19 Disaster payment.
Where to apply: Service NSW
PAYROLL TAX
Payroll Deferrals
All businesses paying payroll tax in NSW can opt in to defer their payroll tax.
Payments due in the 2020-21 annual return may be deferred until 7 October 2021.
Payments due on July and August wages may also be deferred until 7 October 2021
Interest free repayment plans for up to 12 months may also be negotiated. More information on how to establish these payment arrangements will be provided by Revenue NSW by the end of August 2021.
Payroll Tax Relief
Businesses will receive a payroll tax waiver of 25% if they can demonstrate a 30% decline in turnover and have Australian wages between $1.2 million - $10 million. In addition, businesses will benefit from payroll tax deferrals and interest free payment plans.
Where to apply: Revenue NSW (More information on Payroll Tax Relief will be provided by Revenue NSW by the end of August).
LAND TAX RELIEF
Commercial, retail and residential landlords who provide rent reductions to financially distressed tenants will be eligible for a land tax relief equal to the value of the rent reduction (up to 100% of the 2021 land tax year liability).
Where to apply: Service NSW (applications not yet open)
GRANT FOR RESIDENTIAL LANDLORDS
Residential landlords who are not liable for land tax but reduce rent for tenants will be eligible for a grant capped at $1,500.
Residential tenants who have lost 25% or more of their income due to COVID-19 will have a moratorium on eviction for 60 days.
Where to apply: It is expected that applications will be made through Service NSW.
COVID-19 DISASTER PAYMENT
From week 4 of a lockdown, the COVID disaster payment for eligible individuals will increase.
An eligible individual who has lost between 8-20 hours of work a week will receive $475 (up from $375).
An eligible individual who has lost more than 20 hours of work a week will receive $750 (up from $600).
Where to apply: Services Australia (employees to apply).