Covid-19

State Government Covid-19 Relief

RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES & SOLE TRADERS

JobSaver – COVID-19 Business Support Payments

Applications for the JobSaver payment are now closed. Applications for hardship review and for eligible not-for-profit organisations with a turnover decline of 15% to 30% closed on 15 November at 11:59pm.

Micro Business Grant – COVID-19

Applications for the COVID-19 micro-business grant are now closed. Applications for hardship review closed on 15 November at 11:59pm. Note: Service NSW is experiencing delays in progressing grant payments already submitted.

Payroll Tax – Deferrals & Waivers

If your business has been impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a 50% reduction in 2021–22 payroll tax liability.

Eligibility

Your business must:

  • have been eligible for a 2021 COVID-19 business grant or JobSaver payments
  • have experienced a decline in revenue of at least 30%
  • have grouped Australian wages of $10 million.

For more information, visit Revenue NSW.

Performing Arts COVID Support Package

If you’re a performing arts venue, producer or promoter impacted by the cancellation or postponement of performances resulting from the NSW Government COVID-19 Public Health Orders from 26 June 2021, you may be eligible for funding.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the application form, email sector.support@create.nsw.gov.au

Applications opened 23 July 2021. Funding will cover performances impacted by NSW Government Public Health Orders from 26 June 2021 to 30 September 2021.

For support that covers eligible performances for 19 September to 31 December 2021, view the Guidelines for the Performing Arts Relaunch Package. This package is an extension of the original package (above) and is aimed at relaunch the performing arts sector in line with the NSW Government roadmap to recovery.

Create NSW $86M Funding Package 

If you’re an artist, musician, theatre, venue, festival or cultural organisation in NSW, you may be able to access funding from the NSW Government. This funding is designed to support individuals and businesses to bounce back quickly and reignite the economy through cultural offerings. The funding will be delivered by Create NSW through the following programs:

  • $50 million for the Performing Arts Relaunch package – to assist the sector to relaunch by providing certainty and confidence for arts companies as audiences return to theatres and other performance venues (as above). Refer to Guidelines here, and Apply here. Submissions close 9 May 2022.
  • $5 million Theatre and Film Strategy – for the development of a film studio and theatre infrastructure strategy that will help secure international productions.
  • $5 million for Culture Up Late – to extend the successful evening program across some of Sydney’s vibrant Cultural Institutions, providing more opportunities for audiences to experience museums and galleries and helping to reignite the city after dark.
  • $1 million for Film Festivals – to support the delivery of local and international Film Festivals across Sydney, Western Sydney and South Western Sydney in independent and commercial cinemas and outdoors where possible.

Event Saver Fund

The NSW Government has established an Event Saver Fund to provide immediate support to organisers if major festivals and/or events are cancelled or disrupted by any public health orders during the 2021-22 summer.

More information can be found here.

CBDs Revitalisation Program

The NSW Government is investing $50 million in the CBDs Revitalisation Program to encourage people back into CBDs and urban centres across Greater Sydney and surrounds. Funding will be open to councils, businesses and cultural institutions. Eligibility criteria will be published soon and applications will open soon. Priority will be given to co-ordinated and collaborative bids.

Small Business Fees & Charges Rebate

If you’re a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $3,000.

This rebate helps businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and encourages growth by reducing the cost of running a business. Eligible businesses or not-for-profits only need to apply for the rebate once, but can submit multiple claims until the full value of $3,000 is reached.

Funds can be used to offset the costs of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges due and paid from 1 March 2021. These include, but are not limited to:

  • food authority licences
  • liquor licences
  • tradesperson licences
  • event fees
  • outdoor seating fees
  • council rates
  • road user tolls for business use.

View the full list of eligible fees and charges.

COVID-19 Mental Health at Work Resource Kit

The NSW Government has free coaching, training and resources available to support businesses manage and look after the wellbeing of their employees.
Sign up here, it’s FREE.

NSW Government’s Business Concierge Service 

This service is available Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm on 13 77 88 or book a call for later.

NSW Government’s Business Connect Program 

If you’re a small or medium businesses affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions, you can seek free advice from this NSW Government business advisory service. Business Connect advisors offer advice tailored to your needs to help you achieve your business goals and tackle immediate and long-term challenges.
Sign up here.

RELIEF FOR INDIVIDUALS

Test and Isolate Support Payment

If you’re an eligible NSW worker who is unable to work while in self-isolation when waiting for a COVID-19 test result, you may be eligible for this $320 payment. Applications are now open for tests taken on or after 13 August 2021. You must apply online for the payment within 7 days of having the test.

Dine & Discover Vouchers

If you’re a NSW resident aged 18 and over, you can apply for 6 x $25 vouchers for:
(a) takeaway meals and dining in restaurants, cafes, bars, wineries, pubs and clubs; and
(b) entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues.

Vouchers are valid until Tuesday 30 June 2022. The program has been extended to allow more time to support local businesses.

Stay & Rediscover Vouchers

If you’re a NSW resident aged 18 and over, from March 2022 you can apply for 1 x $50 voucher to use towards the cost of accommodation bookings.

Vouchers are not currently available.

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance

If you’re having difficulty paying your household energy bill because of a short-term financial crisis or emergency, such as reduced income due to COVID-19, you could be eligible for $50 vouchers.