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.

Global Gateway Program

The Victorian Government’s $15.7 million Export recovery package is aimed to help Victorian exporters recover from challenges provided by COVID-19.

Eligible Victorian businesses can apply for a once-off $50,000 grant to engage professional services that will deliver project activities to support their export recovery.

Business must make a co-contribution of at least 20 percent of the project.

Who is eligible for the funding?

• Located in Victoria.
• Hold an ABN.
• Demonstrate an annual export revenue of at least $2 million in either the 2018/19 or 2019/20 financial years.
• Meet all industrial relations obligations as an employer.

When does the grant close?

Grant applications are now open and will close at 11.59 pm on Sunday 17 January 2021.

Business Recovery Energy Efficiency Fund (BREEF)

Capital Works

The Capital Works Grant program supports the installation of energy efficiency equipment and technologies by businesses to reduce their energy bills.

Specifically funding will be provided to projects that involve:

• purchase and installation of energy efficiency equipment
• replacement of emissions-intensive equipment with low-emissions alternatives
• purchase of communications and monitoring technology

Energy Demand Management

The Energy Demand Management Grant program will support the installation of energy management systems, energy assessments, and demand management solutions for businesses looking to reduce their energy bills.

Funding will be provided to projects that involve:

• capital investment in technology needed to enable demand response, including communications and control technology
• professional advice to support the uptake of demand-side opportunities
• feasibility studies
• energy audits
• cost-benefit analysis
• implementing steps under/or formal accreditation to the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems framework.

Who is eligible for the funding?

For both of the BREEF applications the requirements are as follows:

• Use in excess of 40 Megawatts of electricity or 1 Terajoule of gas per year.
• Operate in Victoria.
• Hold an ABN.

When do the grants close?

Applications for both of the BREEF grant programs close on the following dates:

• Phase 1: 2 pm, Thursday 31 December 2020
• Phase 2: 2 pm, Sunday 31 January 2021.

What is the program?

The Small Business Digital Adaption Program allows businesses to receive access to digital tools and training while also receiving a $1,200 rebate for purchasing one of the below selected business management tools to help build their digital capacity in day-today operations.

Registrations are now open and will remain open until 28th February 2022 or until funds are fully exhausted, whichever is earlier.

What’s involved in the program?

Through the program businesses can trial selected digital products, which are;

• Mr Yum – food and beverage
• MYOB – business management
• Shopify – business management
• Square – end-to-end retail
• Squarespace – website creation
• Xero – business management

To view more information on the products, visit the Victorian Government webpage.

You can either subscribe to these software or upgrade your existing software or websites such as transferring to an e-commerce site.

Who can apply?

The program is aimed at small businesses and sole traders. To be eligible to apply for the program you must:

• Operate a business located in Victoria
• Hold an ABN from 13th September 2019
• Be registered for GST from 13th September 2020

How can you apply?

Complete the online registration form to confirm eligibility and participate in product trials and workshops.
Sign up for and purchase the suitable product from one of the available listed.
Apply for the purchase rebate of $1,200 to cover 12 months access.

What’s available in the workshops and training?

The workshops and training are delivered free and completely online, you may also complete an unlimited number of them.

The workshops available include:

• Business planning essentials
• Finance fundamentals
• Marketing your business
• Taking your business online
• Cut through on a budget: Social media marketing
• Developing a strategic plan
• Enabling IT in your business
• From bricks and mortar to online
• Get a business online
• Get strategic with eCommerce
• Make sure customers find you online
• Marketing your hospitality business in 2020
• Mental wellbeing: Support yourself and small businesses
• Start smart with online customer experience

For more information visit the Victorian Goverment webpage