With COVID-19 cases rising and more and more people affected we take a look at financial support available to businesses and individuals.

COVID-19 Financial Support

Support for Businesses

COVIDSafe Deep Cleaning Rebate:

A rebate of up to 80 per cent of cleaning costs up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligibility:

• operate from a worksite or premises in Victoria where a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
• have undertaken a ‘deep clean’ or ‘decontamination clean’ of the affected worksite
• have evidence of the expenditure
• hold an ABN
• have an annual payroll of less than $3 million
• be registered with WorkSafe if employing people.

Closing date: Ongoing/until funds are fully exhausted

Supporting Documentation

• Invoice or payment notice
• Evidence of payment
• WorkSafe Certificate of Currency (if your business employs people OR Proof of identity (if your business does not employ people)
• Evidence of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 Case

Support for Individuals & Employees

COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment:

A $450 payment to support Victorian workers, including parents and guardians, who are required to self-isolate while they wait for results of their polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test. For More Information

COVID-19 Disaster Payment:

A lump sum payment to help workers unable to work or earn income due to a COVID-19 state or territory public health order. This may involve a lockdown, hotspot or movement restrictions. Lump sum payments range from $250-$750. For More Information

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

A one-off payment to help Victorian workers who have been directed to self-isolate or quarantine for 7+ days, or care for someone who has been directed to self-isolate or quarantine. The payment is $750 for 7 days. Alternatively, a positive person who is required to isolate for 10 days, will be able to apply for two payments of $750 each (as the payment is not pro rata). For More Information.

For further support and assistance visit Coronavirus.vic.gov.au

We take a look at the latest financial support available in NSW, given the recent mouse plague and COVID-19 outbreaks that have occurred.

NSW COVID-19 Business Support Grant

Businesses including sole trader or not-for-profit organisation impacted by the current Greater Sydney COVID-19 restrictions, may be able to apply for up to $10,000 in grants from late July 2021.

Grants can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available.

The amount of the grant available depends on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions:

• $5000 for a decline of 30% or more
• $7000 for a decline of 50% or more
• $10,000 for a decline of 70% or more.

The grants will be divided into 2 streams:

• 2021 Small business COVID-19 support grant for businesses and sole traders who had turnover more than $75,000 for the year ending 30 June 2020 and total annual Australian wages below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1.2 million.
  Businesses must have fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees and an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in NSW.
• Hospitality and tourism COVID-19 support grant for tourism or hospitality businesses who had turnover more than $75,000 for the year ending 30 June 2020 and total annual Australian wages below $10 million, as of 1 July 2020. Businesses must have an ABN registered in NSW or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in NSW.

The full eligibility criteria and applications to apply will be available soon.

Mouse Bait Rebates

The NSW government has announced a rebate to help manage the cost of mouse baiting in regional NSW.

The rebate covers households, primary producers and small businesses affected by the mouse plague.

How much can I claim through the rebate?

• Up to $500 per household
• Up to $1,000 for primary producers and small businesses

You can only claim one rebate per address and the baits, traps or cleaning materials must be purchased after 1 February 2021.

Where must I be located to claim?

Your property must be located in the following;

• Central Tablelands
• Central West
• Western
• Northern Tablelands
• North West
• Riverina
• Murray
• Hunter (Upper Hunter, Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs only)
• South East (Hilltops, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs only)

To claim your rebate visit the NSW Government website

Business Costs Assistance

The program provides $2,500 grants for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in sectors most impacted. This includes businesses operating in an industry that cannot operate under the circuit breaker restrictions and which cannot work remotely.

The program will open for applications on Wednesday 2 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

The $40.7 million Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program provides businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3,500 grant per premises.

The program will open for applications on Wednesday 2 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.

Victorian Events Support Package

The $20 million package dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions.

If you would like any more information visit the Business Victoria website 

Small Business Fees & Charges Rebate – NSW

Sole Traders, small business owners and not-for-profit organisations may be eligible for small business fees and charges rebate of $1,500.

This rebate aimed at helping businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19 by reducing the cost of running a business.

Are you eligible for the grant?

To be eligible for the grant you must;

• Have total Australian wages below the payroll tax threshold of $1.2 million
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW and/or have business premises physically located and operating in NSW
• Be registered for goods and services tax (GST)
• Provide a declaration that the business has a turnover of at least $75,000 per year.

How much is the grant?

Businesses will receive a once-off payment of $1,500.

When is the grant available until?

The rebate will be available until 30 June 2022

How can I apply?

• You’ll need to provide invoices and receipts showing payment of eligible fees or charges.
• Two proof of identity documents are required e.g. driver licence, Medicare card, passport, birth certificate

You can apply through the NSW Government website

Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job Grant

The Australian Government has announced this grant to assist jobseekers in taking up a job where relocation is required. Below are the details;

From 1 May 2021, if jobseekers relocate to take up ongoing work, including an apprenticeship, for more than 20 hours a week for more than six months, you may be eligible to receive up to:

• $3,000 if you relocate to a capital city
• $6,000 if you relocate to a regional area
• An extra $3,000 if you relocate with a dependent.

If relocating from one capital city to a capital city with fewer jobs, you may not be able to access relocation assistance.

Employment services providers can use up to $2,000 to provide upfront support to job seekers who need assistance with agreed relocation costs.

How can I apply?

Talk to our local jobactive, Disability Employment Services, ParentsNext, Transition to Work, or Community Development Program provider.

For more information view the factsheet

COVID-19 5-Day Lockdown Grants

Business Costs Assistance Program

The Business Costs Assistance Program makes up $92 of the $143 million Circuit Breaker Action Business Support Package, where the aim is to assist small businesses in hospitality, food wholesaling, tourism, events and retail who were most affected by the Circuit Breaker lockdown.

Are you eligible for the grant?

To be eligible for the grant you must;

• Be located in Victoria.
• Registered as an eligible industry.
• Have incurred costs as a result of the circuit breaker lockdown.
• Have an annual payroll of up to $3 million through 2019-20.
• Registered for GST.
• Hold an ABN.

How much is the grant?

Businesses will receive a once-off payment of $2,000.

What can the grant be used for?

• Loss of perishable goods.
• Cancellation fees and charges.
• Booking cancellations.
• Other costs that could not be avoided as a result of the circuit breaker lockdown.

If you are looking for more information or would like to apply visit the Business Victoria website

Victorian Accommodation Support Program

The Victorian Accommodation Support Program assists accommodation providers who experienced cancellations as a result of the circuit breaker lockdown.

There are 2 tiers of funding depending on the impact to your business, they are;

• Tier 1: Once-off payment of $2,250 for Accommodation with 10 or fewer cancelled nights.
• Tier 2: Once-off payment of $4,500 for Accommodation with 11 or more cancelled nights.

Register for interest via the Business Victoria website.

Further Circuit Breaker Support Package Grants

• Licensed hospitality venues that were previous recipients of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund receive an automatic $3,000 grant. These venues will not be eligible for the Business Costs Assistance Program grants.
• The state government has also launched a new Melbourne Travel Voucher Scheme with 40,000 vouchers, worth $200, to support travel in greater Melbourne.
• An additional 10,000 vouchers have also been added to the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme.

For more information visit the Business Victoria website.

Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Extended

The Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme has been extended until 28 March 2021. The Scheme was introduced to relieve financial hardship faced by tenants and landlords as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Small business tenants seeking rent relief from 1 January 2021 to 28 March 2021 will need to apply to their landlord in writing, with evidence of their eligibility as soon as possible, as a landlord is only required to provide rent relief from the date of application.

For further information about the scheme and for free mediation services for commercial tenants and landlords please refer to the official website.

Small Business Digital Adaption Vouchers

The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program gives businesses the opportunity to trial and subscribe to digital products, tools, and training that can use to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations.

Software available through this program includes websites, e-commerce, and financial tools as well as free digital adaptation training and workshops.

Rebates of $1,200 can be accessed to cover 12 months subscriptions and are available through Business Victoria.

Victorian Government QR Code Service

Victorian Government has released a free QR code service available to all Victorian businesses and venues.

The service provides an effective record keeping system for contact tracing in the event a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) is identified. There are no ongoing costs for businesses, venues, or visitors who implement the software or check-in using this service.

To register your business for the QR service please visit the Victorian Government website

Regional Travel Vouchers Round 2

Round 2 of the Regional Travel Vouchers will be released on the 20th January 2021 to encourage Victorians to experience everything regional Victoria has to offer.

The Regional Travel Voucher Scheme provides Victorians with a $200 voucher to spend on accommodation, tourism attractions, or tours in regional Victoria, the Yarra Ranges, and the Mornington Peninsula, when they spend $400 or more on any of these activities.

Registrations for round 2 open at 10 am on 20 January 2021 and will be available until the 15th April 2021 or until funds are fully exhausted.

Visit the Victorian Government website for more information.