An update of the government assistance packages due to the COVID 19 outbreak
State by State guide for COVID-19 support packages due to lockdown restrictions during June/July 2021
[Updated: 21 July 2021]
With approximately half of Australians experiencing extended lockdown restrictions during late June ~ July 2021, both the state and federal governments have jointly provided support packages to both affected individual workers and eligible small & medium businesses. The following is what is known as of 21 July 2021.
SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS
COVID-19 Disaster Payments
State governments have reached an agreement with the federal government to fund income support payments to individual workers from day one of the lockdown. Also the liquid assets test of having more than $10,000 has been removed from the eligibility criteria to receive the payments.
(UPDATED INFO) Although it has not been confirmed by Services Australia, in recent days it has been stated in the media that sole traders that are not registered for GST may also be eligible for this COVID-19 Disaster Payment. Unfortunately, we are unable to clarify your eligibility and we refer you to Services Australia to further discuss.
Eligibility
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the person has to reside or work in a COVID-19 national hotspot and/or location subject to a state or territory restricted movement order
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must be unable to attend work due to the COVID restrictions & have exhausted all other available leave entitlements (exclude annual leave entitlements)
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must be older than 17
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be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent resident or a visa holder who are permitted to work in Australia
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cannot be receiving another form of income or pandemic support
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Some difference in eligibility criterias on whether you live or work in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia
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(not confirmed) may include sole traders not registered for GST
Amounts
For the Greater Sydney and parts of Sydney lockdown restrictions, amounts that may be received for the initial two lockdown weeks will be,
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$500 to workers that lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown
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$325 to workers that lose less than 20 hours of work during the period of the lockdown
Other than the above, for people in NSW and in Victoria, if eligible could receive the following amounts,
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$750 to workers that lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown
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$450 to workers that lose either between 8-20 hours of work or a full day of your usual work hours per week during the period of the lockdown
The above will be provided for people from the restricted lockdown locations for the relevant periods commencing from the following claim dates,
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in parts of Sydney: 15 July 2021
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in Greater Sydney: 18 July 2021
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in other areas in NSW: 18 July 2021
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in Victoria: 23 July 2021
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in South Australia: expected from 28 July 2021
Further details on eligibility and applications can be made through Services Australia.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES IN NSW
2021 COVID-19 Business Grant
Eligible businesses in NSW could receive a one off cash grant (including sole traders and non employing businesses) based on the following criterias.
Eligibility
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have an active ABN
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have a business operating in NSW as at 01 June 2021
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turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million for the year ended 30 June 2020
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have an annual Australian payroll of less than $10 million as at 01 July 2020
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be able to demonstrate their staffing levels have remained the same as of July 13 2021
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Meet a reduction in turnover experienced over a minimum 2-week period from 26 June 2021 to 17 July 2021 to the same period last year(see below)
Amounts
Businesses that have seen a reduction of more than the following in turnover will be eligible for the following grants,
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70 % or more are eligible for a cash deposit of $15,000
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50 % or more are eligible for a cash deposit of $10,500
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30 % or more are eligible for a cash deposit of $ 7,500
Some supporting documents (which may include a letter from an accountant) may be required and therefore, please refer to the guideline from Service NSW for further information.
Applications are open now until 11:59 pm on 13 September 2021.
Micro Business Support program
It is also expected that on Monday, 26 July 2021, a further grant will open for application for smaller micro businesses in NSW.
Eligibility
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businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000
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had decline in turnover of 30% or more
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must not have applied for either the 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant or JobSaver
Amounts
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$1,500 per fortnight
Applications are open now until 11:59 pm on 18 October 2021.
JobSaver
This saving jobs support program will give cashflow support to sole traders as well as small and medium businesses affected by the current NSW restrictions.
Eligibility
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have an active ABN
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have a business operating in NSW as at 01 June 2021
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turnover of between $75,000 and $250 million for the year ended 30 June 2020
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be able to demonstrate their staffing levels have remained the same as of July 13 2021
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meet a reduction in turnover experienced over a minimum 2-week period (commenced 26 June 2021 & due to end 30 July 2021) to the same period last year
Amounts
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[Employing business] to cover 40% of their payroll costs (to a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $100,000)
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[Non employing business] weekly payments of $1,000.
Some supporting documents (which may include a letter from an accountant) may be required and therefore, please refer to the guideline from Service NSW for further information.
Applications are open now until 11:59 pm on 18 October 2021.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES IN VICTORIA
July 2021 Top-Up Payments
The Victorian Government will provide additional cash grants for businesses affected by the short lockdown. Around 90,000 eligible businesses including restaurants, cafes bars, event suppliers, tourism and accommodation providers and non-essential retailers that received support payments during the May-June lockdown will automatically receive the new support payments.
(UPDATED INFO) The Premier’s office has just confirmed that businesses that did not receive the support payments during the May/June lockdown or were ineligible but are now eligible will be able to apply for the July lockdown support payments. It is expected that this will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process.
Eligibility
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Businesses that received grants as listed below during the May - June 2021 Victorian lockdowns will automatically receive the Top-Up Payment.
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Businesses that did not receive the grants during the May - June 2021 but are eligible (SEE eligibility) can apply outside of the automatic top-up process.
Amounts
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Recipients of Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two: $2,000 (initial) + $2,800 (after lockdown extension) = $4,800
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Recipients of Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021: $3,000 (initial) + $4,200 (after lockdown extension) = $7,200
Support payments if not already provided in full are expected to shortly and may be increased if the lockdown is extended.
Further information is available from here.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
COVID-19 Business Support Grant
Following the announcement by the South Australian government to commence a seven-day lockdown, eligible businesses may be able to receive a one off cash grant (including sole traders and non employing businesses) based on the following criterias.
Eligibility
Amounts
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[Employing business] One-off grant of $3,000
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[Non employing business] One-off grant of $1,000
Applications are yet to open (expected within the next two weeks and will close 11:59 pm on 30 September 2021) but an interest can be registered from here.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants (Round two)
Applications are now open to small businesses that were affected by the recent restrictions in Perth, Peel and regional Western Australia. The grant is provided for the lockdown between 29 June and 2 July 2021 and the associated restrictions that continued to 6 July 2021.
Eligibility
Amounts
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One-off grant of $3,000
Applications are open now until 11:59 pm on 31 August 2021.
(Updated 21 July 2021)
Disclaimer:
Information based on facts we have summarised to the above updated date. We have not considered your personal circumstances and should you wish to consider it, please seek professional advice.