Businesses and people impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions will be able to access support packages from the NSW government.
Along with the new grant packages of between $5,000 and $10,000 for small businesses, sole traders and not-for-profit, payroll tax for all employers has also been deferred and the Dine and Discover program extended till August 31 – with the ability for people to use the vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centrepiece of the package was the small business support grants which will help businesses by alleviating cashflow constraints while trading is restricted. This can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available.
“We always said we will do whatever it takes to support businesses and keep people in jobs during the pandemic and that is exactly what we are doing,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The current restrictions are in place to protect people and keep the community safe, unfortunately businesses continue to incur costs such as rent, power and lost produce, and this will go some way to lessening that financial pain.”
Three different grant amounts will be available for small businesses:
$10,000 for a 70 per cent decline; $7,000 for a 50 per cent decline, and; $5,000 for a 30 per cent decline.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the new grants would be available across NSW.
“This latest outbreak has coincided with school holidays when a lot of regional areas were counting on more visitors to help boost local economies,” Mr Barilaro said.
“These grants will help many get through the winter, and just like after the bushfires, the floods and the first wave of COVID-19, the regions will lead NSW out the other side.”
Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW from later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the start of major restrictions on June 26.