COVID-19 and NSW Government Support Updated
Last Updated 3 June 2020
As an update to the NSW Government Support Grant posted on 7 April 2020, the NSW Government are offering an extension to the application deadline to 11:59pm Tuesday 30 June 2020.
COVID-19 and Government Three-Step Plan
Last Updated 26 May 2020
The Federal Government has laid out a three-step plan to reopen the Australian economy as a COVID-safe economy and society.
Step One
Restaurants, cafes, retail shops, auctions and open homes have been given the green light to open with 10 patrons at a time. Small venues must follow the four-square metre per person rule. Local and regional travel restrictions have been lifted. Children will also be back in the classrooms and some organised sport will resume.
Step Two
Step two allows for 20 people to gather in circumstances mentioned in step one.
20 people will be allowed to take part in all outdoor sport, cinemas, galleries, stadiums, zoos, beauty therapy, massage therapy and tattoo parlours will all open and be allowed up to 20 patrons at a time.
Step Three
Non-work gatherings of up to 100 people will be allowed. Although businesses must follow the four-square metres per person rule. Interstate travel will resume, and cross-Tasman travel is being considered.
22nd May 2020 Update
NSW pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants can have up to 50 customers, subject to the one person per four square metre rule from 1st June 2020.
Read more from the Australia Government Department of Health
City of Sydney Small Business Grant
Last updated 21st April 2020
The City of Sydney is offering eligible businesses a grant of $10,000 to invest in: a change in the operating model; e-commerce; training; and / or capital works.
What is available
The City of Sydney has offered the chance for eligible businesses to apply for a $10,000 small business grant. Applications closed on 27th April 2020.
Successful Applicants
Successful applicants who receive the small business grant may use the funds for:
- Operating model change – new packaging, purchasing or leasing equipment, marketing costs or investment into new resources
- Online and e-commerce – e-commerce platforms, online content development or digital marketing
- Training and professional development – training in online and e-commerce activates, training courses, seminars, workshops or conferences when in person gathering are permitted or in-house courses delivered by an external provider
- Capital works – costs associated with purchasing and installing new equipment and alterations to an existing building.
NSW Land Tax Break
Last updated 17th April 2020
NSW landlords will be able to apply for a concession of up to 25% of their 2020 land tax liability on relevant properties, but it must be passed on to tenants through a rent reduction.
What is available
The NSW Land Tax Break scheme offers a reduction of up to 25% of the land tax payable on a parcel of land in the 2020 land tax year.
Eligibility Criteria
The NSW Land Tax Break is available when:
- Your land is used for business or residential purposes
- You’re leasing the property to a residential or commercial tenant (turnover up to $50 million) who can demonstrate financial destress from the COVID-19 outbreak
- You reduce the rent of the affected tenant by at least as much as the reduction
How to apply
The NSW Government are currently streamlining the application process to make it easy to apply for this reduction. Applications are not currently being taken.
We will notify you as soon as the application process becomes available.
NSW Small Business Grant
Last updated 7th April 2020
The NSW Government will allow eligible small businesses to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help them through these uncertain economic times.
What is available
The NSW small business COVID-19 support grant of up to $10,000 is available to eligible NSW small business owners. Businesses have until 1st June 2020 to apply for the grant.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, businesses will need to;
- Have between 1-19 employees and a turnover of more than $75,000
- Report a payroll below the 2019/20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000
- Have an Australian Business Number as at 1st March 2020
- Be based in NSW, employ staff as at 1st March 2020, be highly impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Order 2020 issued on 31st March 2020
- Have experienced at least a 75% decline in turnover compared to the same two-week period in 2019 as a result of COVID-19
Highly Impacted Industries
This small business grant is aimed at helping businesses in highly impacted industries that have been subject to closure or are highly impacted by NSW Government health directions in relation to COVID-19 and include:
- Retail trade
- Hospitality, accommodation and food services
- Rental, hiring and real estate services
- Administrative and support services
- Arts and recreation services
Please find more information on these impacted industries at the NSW Service website.
Businesses which are not in the highly impacted industries, but can demonstrate significant disruption resulting in turnover reduction of 75% due to the Public Health Order 2020, may be eligible for this grant and will require a letter from their accountant confirming that the criteria has been met.
How to apply
Eligible businesses may apply for the NSW small business COVID-19 support grant through the Service NSW website and will require the following to apply:
- MyServiceNSW Account
- Proof of identity
- Valid ABN/ACN number
- Latest Business Activity Statement (BAS)
In addition, applicants will need to provide a declaration that they meet the eligibility criteria, including at least 75% decline turnover compared to the same 2-week period in 2019.
NSW Payroll Tax Waiver
Last updated 2nd April 2020
NSW Payroll tax customers will have their annual tax liability reduced by 25% when they lodge their annual reconciliation for 2019/20 (by 28th July 2020). If you pay monthly, you will not be required to make payroll tax payments for the three months April to June 2020.
What is available
NSW payroll tax customers have the option of deferring payroll tax payments until October 2020, although they are still required to lodge the annual reconciliation by the due date.
Customers will have the option of paying their outstanding liability in full or entering into an instalment plan after October 2020.
NSW payroll tax customers whose total grouped Australian wages are no more than $10 million will have their annual tax liability reduced by 25% when they lodge their 2019/20 annual reconciliation.
The NSW Government have increased the tax-free threshold from $900,000 to $1 million for the financial year commencing 1st July 2020.
Eligibility Criteria
This discount applies to payroll tax customers whose total grouped Australian wages are no more than $10 million for the 2019/20 financial year.
How to apply
You are not required to register or apply for the discount. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the discount will be automatically applied to your tax liability when you lodge your annual reconciliation.
