What Government Grants Are Available Right Now For COVID-impacted SMEs?

Written by Revive Financial | Sep 8, 2021 2:03:40 AM

Are the latest round of COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns losing your business customers and revenue?

To ease the financial and mental strain, a wide range of new and ongoing COVID-19 government support packages are currently in place, many for SMEs. They include both federal and state government grants and assistance programs.

While this is good news, it has been hard to keep up. In fact, calls to the Small Business Debt Helpline have skyrocketed from July, with the most common problem being uncertainty and confusion over what’s available, to whom, and when.

To provide some clarity, we’ve pulled together a September 2021 snapshot of the grants and support available, both nationwide and broken down by state.

National
New South Wales
Western Australia
Queensland
South Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
Victoria
Evidence of Eligibility

Federal government grants available nationwide for SMEs

JobMaker Plan

Includes:

Lower taxes, including instant asset write-off threshold and full expensing of depreciable assets
An additional $14 billion in new and accelerated infrastructure projects
$4 billion JobMaker Credit Hiring Scheme to incentivise businesses to employ additional young job seekers aged 16-35

Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries

Includes:

$110 million initiative to help agricultural and fisheries sector to export produce into key overseas markets, with return flights bringing back medical supplies
12.7 million for small regional businesses (19 employees or less) to access free and confidential financial counselling

Insolvency reforms to support small business

New formal debt restructuring process for small businesses
New simplified liquidation process for SMEs
Additional measures to ensure the insolvency industry can move quickly

$500 million loans for exporters

Targeted COVID-19 loans for established and previously profitable exporters who can’t gain finance from commercial lenders ($250k-$50 million)

Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund

$75k-$2 million grants for arts and entertainment companies to restart, re-imagine or recreate activities (includes festivals, concerts and tours)

Travel support program

One-off grants of $1,500 to $100,000 for travel agents and tour companies under the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program to help pay refunds and credits

SME Recovery Loan Scheme

Continued assistance to businesses that received Job Keeper

NSW commonwealth business tax relief

Tax-free grants, including the new small business payments
Administrative relief to NSW business taxpayers facing hardship, including reduced payment plans and no interest on late payments

New South Wales (NSW) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
JobSaver payments	$1,500 and $100,000 per week for employing businesses based on 40% of NSW payroll $1,000 per week for non-employing businesses
COVID-19 business support grant	Up to $15,000 for businesses, sole traders and NFPs, dependant on COVID-19 drop in revenue
Payroll tax waivers	Payroll tax waivers of 25% for businesses that have experienced a 30% decline in business
Micro business grant	$1,500 per fortnight for small businesses and small traders affected by COVID-19 restrictions
Support for landlords	A capped grant of $1,500 for landlords who reduce rent Land tax relief equal to the value of rent reductions
Deferral of gaming tax assessment	Until 21 December 2021 for clubs Until 21 January 2022 for hotels
Art stimulus package	$75m package for performing arts, NFPs and live music organisations affected by COVID
Workplace mental health projects	Grants of up to $50,000 to fund mental health projects for employees
NSW government’s small business advisory program	$4.6m from Business Connect to engage an additional 30 advisors to support small businesses
NSW export assistance package	50% of eligible expenses up to $10,000
Payroll tax cuts	Permanent increase in the tax-free threshold from $1m to $1.2m Payroll tax rate cut from 5.45% to 4.85% for two years Due date for lodgement extended until 7 October 2021
Jobs Plus program	Payroll tax relief, fast-tracked planning approval, subsidised training, access to spaces for companies who want to support their footprint in NSW
Digital vouchers	Up to $1,500 for the cost of government fees and charges for businesses who don’t pay payroll tax

Visit the Service NSW website for more information and to apply.

Western Australia (WA) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
Small business development corporation hotline	Free business advice hotline regarding the government measures
Grants for commercial landlords	Grants equal to 25% of 2019-20 land tax bill (must provide rent relief equal to 3-months rent and have at least a 30% drop in turnover)
New Industries Fund	$20,000 innovation vouchers for start-ups and SMEs (36 available)
Electricity Credit	$500 for businesses impacted by lockdown in February 2021
Small Business Boost	$3,000 one-off grant for businesses affected by the June/July lockdown periods

Visit the Small Business Development Corporation for more information and to apply.

Queensland (QLD) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
Commercial and Residential Rent Relief	Freeze on evictions 3-month rebate on land tax for 2019-20 3-month deferral on land tax for 2020-21
State land rent referral for tourism operators	Rent deferral for tourism operators on state land for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022
Fee waiver and refunds for commercial tourism daily passenger fees	Those who operate in a national park, conservation park, recreation area or state forest may have fees waived or refunded between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022
Touring Queensland Fund	$20,000 for artists in residency projects $150,000 for up to two tours $200,000 for touring programs of three or more tours
2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants for lockdown-impacted businesses	$10,000 - $30,000 grants for SMEs affected by QLD July-August 2021 lockdowns
COVID-19 Disaster Payment	Sole traders may be eligible for the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment
COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate	A rebate of up to 80% of deep cleaning costs, up to $10,000 incurred in the 2021-22 financial year
Payroll tax relief for tourism and hospitality businesses	Eligible businesses can defer paying their payroll tax liability for July or August 2021 for 6 months
The Local Buying Foundation	B.I.G. Futures Fund

Visit the Business Queensland website for more information and to apply.

South Australia (SA) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
COVID-19 Business Support Grant	Up to $30,000 for businesses affected by restrictions imposed from 20 July 2021
COVID-19 Additional Support Grant	Up to $3,000 for businesses significantly impacted by COVID and other trading restrictions from 28 July 2021
Jobs and Economic Growth Fund	Extra $220m over next four years for projects and initiatives that have broad economic benefits
Tourism Industry Development Fund	Grants of between $20,000 to $50,000 for tourism businesses offering new and improved regional accommodation and quality experiences
Major Events Support Grant	Up to $25,000 for eligible events employing people in SA

Visit the SA Business Information Hub for more information and to apply.

Northern Territory (NT) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
$65m Jobs Rescue and Recovery	No payroll tax payments for 2 years for these employing a Territorian
Jobs, Rescue and Recovery Plan	$20m set aside for new for emergency grants payments of $2,500
JobMaker Booster	Fills in the gaps of the Australian Government’s JobMaker Plan
Not-for-Profit Tourism Attraction Survival Payment	$500,000 available
Small Business Survival Payment	One-off payments of between $2,000 and $20,000

Visit the NT government website for more information and to apply.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
Economic survival package	A range of support packages including rebates, one-off payments and fee waivers

Visit the ACT Government Business Hub for more information or to apply.

Tasmania (TAS) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
Targeted industry assistance: Tourism, hospitality and Fisheries	A range of discounts and fees waivers
Payroll tax	Payroll tax waivers for the entire 2019-2020 year
Second economic package	$1.8m for fishery fees and licence relief for 12 months $1.5m to support the Creative and Cultural Industries $2.6m towards air freight services for time-sensitive freight, including seafood Digital Ready for Business Program boosted to $400,000, designed to assist business take their business online
$150m local government loan scheme	$50m to $150m loans for infrastructure projects
Business growth loan scheme	Low-interest loans between $20,000 and $3m to help businesses adapt, recover and grow
Business vehicle registration relief package	Possibility to apply for a freeze on vehicle registrations (both light and heavy vehicles)
Event Ready Grant	Up to $5,000 in funding to support events up until 30 June 2022
Hire and Drive Reimbursement Program	$1,000 per vehicle to support hire and drive businesses to re-establish their fleets
Minding your Business	Free mental health training for small businesses with up to 19 full-time employees
Technology grants for mental health and drug and alcohol service providers	$450,00 available
Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan	$20m renewable hydrogen fund $20m concessional loans $10m support services (electricity supply, payroll relief)
Rapid Response Skills Matching Service	Designed to help businesses with immediate job needs
Free business advice	Free business advice to help small business owners reach their potential
Free digital coaching	Free two-hour coaching session with a digital expert
Jobs Plan	$5b in funding to be allocated across infrastructure, skills and training and supporting jobs in key industry sectors

Visit the Tasmanian Government website for more information and to apply.

Victoria (VIC) COVID-19 small business government grants

Grant available	Details
Business Continuity Fund	$5,000-$7,000 grants for businesses that remain affected by COVID, including gyms, cafes, restaurants and hairdressers
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021	Grants of up to $22,000 to support licensed venues
Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme and Landlord Hardship Fund	Payments of $5,000 to $20,000 to support hospitality venues
Small Business COVID Hardship Fund	Up to 25% land tax relief for landlords
Alpine Business Support Program	Grants of up to $8,000 for businesses that have faced a 70% or greater reduction in revenue due to COVID-19
Night-time Economy Business Support Initiative	Reimbursement of up to $20,000 per business group for expenses obtaining specialist business and tenancy advice since 29 March 2020 Relief for commercial rent hardship of up to $150,000 per business group Free tenant/landlord remediation
Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring	Up to 4 free two-hour mentoring sessions
Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Small Businesses	Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline 1300 375 330 (9 am to 10 pm weekdays)for small business owners
Victorian Business Growth Fund (VBGF)	$250m over 10 years to support SMEs growth
Economic Survival Package to Support Businesses and Jobs	Payroll tax relief Commercial tenancy relief Business support fund focusing on arts, hospitality, tourism, accommodation and entertainment
Land tax relief program	Tax relief for landlords for tenants in financial distress
Experience Economy Survival Package	$40m for community sport and recreation bodies $16m for national sporting organisations $44m for the Victorian racing industry $32m for creative agencies and initiatives $11m for the tourism industry
Business Adaptation Program – Food Businesses	Range of programs available including Seasonal Harvest Sign-on Bonus ($2,430) and Test Isolation Payment –($450)
Alpine business grants	Up to $20,000 to help businesses pay a service charge to the Alpine Resort Management Board
Business Adaptation Package – digital presence	$20m program to support small businesses up their digital capabilities
Waivers and Deferrals	50% stamp duty discount available for new purchases of regional commercial and industrial properties 25% of the congestion levy has been waived for FY21 Defer payroll tax for businesses with payrolls up to $10m for the full 2020-21 financial year $27m in liquor license fee waivers for 2021
Events Support Package	Up to $250,000 to major event organisers, hosts and suppliers affected by the restrictions since May
Jobs Victoria Fund	Wage subsidies of up to $20,000 available for eligible employers who hire eligible job seekers (up to 20 FT employees)
$60m Manufacturing and Industry Development Fund	Supporting the creation of new jobs in industry
Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring	Business mentoring program to help small businesses navigate the challenges posed by COVID and restrictions
Circuit Breaker Business Support Package	Subsidies to support small businesses most affected by recent COVID restrictions
Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund	Grants of up to $3,000 per tenancy

Visit the Victorian Government coronavirus website for more information and to apply.

As lockdown and other restrictions continue in many parts of the country, these state and federal government grants can help reduce the stress.

In many cases, evidence of eligibility is required, including:

Proof of business registration
Proof of impact or potential impact of COVID-19
Evidence of your business being an SME/employing less than the relevant threshold number of personnel

So make sure you’re prepared before you apply.

Are you struggling to manage your business debt due to the latest COVID-19 restrictions? Get in touch our team of specialists today on 1800 534 534.

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