Grants to support Australian businesses through COVID-19

With the fluctuation of lockdowns and restrictions across all Australian states and territories within the past few weeks, we have collated a list of open grants per state and territory to help businesses stay afloat during these tough times.

We understand there can be a maze of rules and criteria to navigate to apply for grants and support packages. The National Retail Association has a dedicated team who can help you write and apply for specific grants (marked with an asterisk* below) for a small fee should you require assistance. We have the expertise to support you with breaking down the eligibility, providing training options (if relevant) and completing a competitive submission. Contact us on training@nra.net.au or on 1800 732 066.

 

NATIONAL

JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme

The JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme is an incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers aged 16–35 years. Eligible employers can access the JobMaker Hiring Credit for each eligible additional employee they hire between 7 October 2020 and 6 October 2021.

 

QUEENSLAND

Business Boost Grants Program*

The Business Boost grants program provides support to businesses to advance improvements in their efficiency and productivity. You may be eligible to receive a grant payment of $15,000 (excluding GST) on completing your proposed project. Applications will close when enough applications are received for competitive assessment, and eligibility criteria applies.

Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program*

The objective of this program is to support small businesses subject to closure or highly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown restrictions announced by the Queensland Government, to adapt and sustain their operations, and build resilience. Applications have closed for South East Queensland, however, remains open for regional Queensland.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

This is a lump sum payment to help workers unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 state public health order. This may involve a lockdown, hotspot or movement restrictions.

COVID-19 Business Grants*

A one-off payment to help businesses with cashflow support for the first 3 weeks of lockdown between $7,500 to $15,000 depending on the decline in turnover.

JobSaver

Fortnightly payments to help maintain employee headcount (as at 13 July) and provide cashflow support to businesses.

• Employing businesses: 40% of weekly payroll, with a minimum payment of $1,500 per week and a maximum payment of $10,000 per week
• Non-employing business: $1,000 per week

COVID-19 Micro Business Grants*

A fortnightly payment of $1,500 for businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000.

Micro Business Support Grants

Small businesses, sole traders or not-for-profit organisations with aggregated annual turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions may be eligible to apply for a fortnightly payment of $1,500 to cover business expenses for the duration of the Greater Sydney lockdown.

Deferral of payroll tax

NSW Government has announced a deferral of payroll tax until 7 October 2021, and 25 per cent reduction in payroll tax for the 2021/22 financial year for eligible customers. More information on tax relief is available at ServiceNSW.

Commercial landlords liable for land tax will be eligible for a land tax concession of up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability where they reduce the rent of financially distressed tenants. More information on commercial lease support is available at ServiceNSW.

 

VICTORIA

21 July 2021 Top-Up Payment

All business that received payments through the Business Cost assistance program round two or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will receive $2800 or $4200. These payments will be processed automatically.

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

This is a lump sum payment to help workers unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 state public health order. This may involve a lockdown, hotspot or movement restrictions.

Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two

The Victorian Government’s Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two (BCAP2) assists eligible small to medium businesses in sectors most affected by the May-June 2021 COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria.

The program offers grants of up to $7000 to eligible businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses, depending on their industry sector, location and the number of weeks they closed.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

The Victorian Government’s $70 million Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 supports eligible licensed hospitality venues. Grants of $3,500 per premises in regional Victoria and $7,000 per premises in metropolitan Melbourne are available to eligible liquor licensees operating a restaurant, hotel, café, pub, bar, club, or reception centre that is registered to serve food and alcohol.

Victorian Events Support Package

The Victorian Events Support Package delivers five streams of support including the Sustainable Event Business Program, the Impacted Public Events Support Program, the Independent Cinema Support Program, the Live Performance Support Program (presenters), and the Live Performance Support Program (suppliers).

Business Continuity Fund

A $156 million Business Continuity Fund will be established to deliver $5,000 grants to up to around 30,000 businesses that remain impacted by capacity limits placed on businesses by necessary public health restrictions.

Twenty-four eligible sectors are covered by the fund including gyms, cafes, restaurants, catering services and hairdressers. All recipients must have received or been eligible for the previous Business Cost Assistance Program.

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme and Landlord Hardship Fund

The package, to be fully funded by the Victorian Government, will deliver $80 million to provide support to landlords that provide rent relief to their tenants.

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund

A new $85 million fund will be established to support small businesses who have not been eligible under existing business support funds.

Small businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million who have experienced a 70 per cent or greater
reduction in revenue will be eligible for grants of up to $5,000.

Alpine Business Support Program

Alpine Business Support will receive a further $9.8 million to deliver grants of between $5,000 and
$20,000 to 430 Alpine based businesses in recognition of restricted inter and intra-state travel during the peak winter season.

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Landlord and tenant support

Landlords who provide tenants impacted by COVID-19 with rent relief may be eligible for a 25% reduction on the land tax payable on a parcel of land in the 2019-20 land tax year.

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Territory Business Lockdown Payment Program