The NSW Government has recently announced their latest round of COVID Business Support packages targeting business, workers and the performing arts with applications open from mid-February. Summarised below are the key items and details from the announcement:

2022 Small Business Support Program

Eligible business will receive 20% of weekly payroll with a minimum as a lump sum for the month of February, with a minimum payment of $750 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week. Non-employing businesses won’t miss out either receiving $500 per week in the form of a $2,000 lump sum payment.

Eligibility for the grant is summarised as per below with applications open mid February:

  • had an aggregated annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2021; and
  • experienced a decline in turnover of 40 per cent or more due to Public Health Orders or the impacts of the Omicron COVID-19 strain during the month of January 2022, compared to January 2021 or January 2020; and
  • experienced a decline in turnover of 40 per cent or more due to the impacts of the Omicron COVID-19 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 the date of the announcement of the scheme.

Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate

The existing RAT rebate has been increased to $3000 with employing small businesses being able to use the rebate to cover half the cost of the Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs). Note, these funds can be used to offset other government fees and charges such as licences, event fees, council rates and road tolls. If you are already registered, no need to worry as you will receive an automatic top-up to $3000.

Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant

The existing protections for small retail and commercial tenants will be extended under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 until 13 March 2022. To assist eligible landlords, grants of $3,000 (GST inclusive) per property are available for each month that they provided rental relief waivers to tenants. Please be aware that rent relief waived must comprise at least half of the amount granted to the landlord.

Landlords who have claimed the 2021 land tax relief are also included in the Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant program. Note, landlords under the above regulation are unable to evict or lockout their tenants until they have attempted mediation or renegotiation of rent if the tenants are eligible.

Performing Arts Package

The NSW Government is looking to provide additional financial support for the performing arts sector. To gain access to government supported funding applicants must be one of the following:

  • An eligible venue (list published by Create NSW)
  • A producer of an eligible performance scheduled to perform at one of the eligible venues
  • A promoter of an eligible performance scheduled to perform at one of the eligible venues.

The NSW Government has also provided clarification over what defines each applicant:

Eligible Venue: List created and maintained by Create NSW from their own assessment

Eligible Performance: Requires evidence of the performance through marketing, and ticket sales must be managed through a ticketing system listed by Create NSW.

Once eligibility is determined funding will be provided between 19 September 2021 and 20 April 2022. The total funding is calculated as per below:

Funding = Average Ticket Price x Number of Tickets on Sale x Agreed Percentage.

The agreed percentage is determined by the below table, and with different venues receiving different funding amounts.

Note, NSW Government will cap funding at 10,000 tickets (e.g. no funding for the 10,001 tickets).

Nsw Covid Support

If you’d like further support to explore the NSW COVID business support packages on offer, don’t hesitate to contact a member of the MGI SQ team.