QLD & NSW COVID SUPPORT – 10 August 2021

Please find below a summary of various Qld & NSW COVID support measures announced as at 10 August 2021. The below list is not exhaustive. We encourage you to monitor State & Federal Government websites and media releases for changes and/or new measures. Contact us at Accorti Accountants + Advisors for more information

Queensland Support

Outlined below is a summary of government support to help Queensland businesses during the COVID-19 lockdown announced on 31 July 2021.

Measure

Summary

Resources / Link

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

As South East Queensland has been declared a Commonwealth hotspot, eligible Queensland workers who are impacted by the lockdown can apply for the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-19 Disaster payment of:

  • $750 pw for individuals who lose 20 or more hours of work during the period of the lockdown; and
  • $450 pw for individuals who lose between 8 and 20 hours of work, or a full day of work, during the period of the lockdown.

There is no liquid assets test to receive these payments. 

The payments will be available from day one of the lockdown, with claims made from day eight in arrears, and a weekly payment then made for the duration of the Commonwealth hotspot declaration.

Applications can be made from the Services Australia website shortly.

Apply at Services Australia

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant

The Queensland Government has announced 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants of $5,000 for small and medium businesses affected by the COVID-19 lockdown in South East Queensland and lockdowns in other states. 

Eligibility requirements:

  • turnover of more than $75,000p.a.
  • annual payroll in Queensland up to $10 million
  • 30% or more turnover reduction as a result of the lockdown

Grants are also available for eligible large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector operating in the 11 local government areas in the lockdown.

Applications open in mid-August.

The Business Queensland website will be updated shortly with further information on how to apply. 

Subscribe to the Queensland Government’s Small Business Connect newsletter to stay up to date with the latest information.

Information & Apply (Mid-August)

Subscribe: Small Business Connect newsletter

Other

For other potential COVID resources 

Business Qld COVID support

New South Wales Support

Outlined below is a summary of government support measures introduced to help New South Wales businesses during the July 2021 COVID-19 lockdown across Greater Sydney, announced in July and extended until Saturday 28 August 2021 at 12.01am.

Measure

Summary

Resources / Link

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

Under a new combined Commonwealth and NSW Government support package, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be further expanded and increased. From week four of a lockdown because of a Commonwealth Government declared hotspot, the Payment will increase to $750 pw (up from $600 pw) if a person has lost 20 or more hours of work a week or $450 pw (up from $375 pw) if a person has lost between 8 and less than 20 hours of work a week or a full day of work.

The new national payment rate will commence in the week of 2 August and will be automatically updated for existing recipients. 

It will be available from day one of any lockdown in the future, with claims made from day eight in arrears, with a weekly payment then made for the duration of the Commonwealth hotspot declaration.

No liquid assets test will apply.

Apply at Services Australia

2021 COVID-19 Business Grant

A one off, tax free grant depending on decline in turnover experienced over a minimum 2-week period from 26 June 2021 to 17 July 2021, compared to 2019:

  1. $7,500 (30%+ decline), or
  2. $10,500 (50%+ decline), or
  3. $15,000 (70%+ decline).

* Please note the revised timeframes for calculating decline in turnover for the 2021 Covid-19 business grant.

For businesses (and not for profits) with:

  • total annual Australian wages of $10 million or less at 1 July 2020; and
  • aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million for the year ended 30 June 2020,

Employee headcount retention condition applies.

Applications open: 19 July 2021.

Applications close: 13 September 2021

Apply at Service NSW

Guidelines (overview)

Detailed terms and conditions

2021 JobSaver Payment

Tax free fortnightly payments between $1,000 and $100,000 a week for the period from 18 July 2021 to eligible employers and sole traders (including not for profits) with aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $250 million (up from $50 million):

  • Employing businesses: payments will be 40% of the weekly payroll for work performed in NSW with a minimum of $1,500 and maximum of $100,000 (up from $10,000)
  • Non-employing business: $1,000 a week

30% turnover decline test and employee headcount retention conditions apply.

For sole traders, the business must be their primary income source

Applications open: 26 July 2021

Applications close: 18 October 2021

Apply at Service NSW

Guidelines (Overview)

Detailed terms and conditions

2021 COVID-19 Micro Business Grant

Tax free fortnightly payment of $1,500 to businesses (including not for profits) with annual turnover between $30,000 and $75,000.

  • 30% turnover decline test and employee headcount retention conditions apply.
  • Applies to business costs for which no other government support is available.
  • You must not have applied for either the 2021 COVID-19 Business rant or the JobSaver payment
  • The business must be your primary income source, if you’re a non-employing business such as a sole trader.

Applications open: 26 July 2021

Applications close: 18 October 2021

Apply at Service NSW 

Guidelines (Overview)

Detailed terms and conditions

Hospitality and tourism COVID-19 support grant

Payment to tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an annual Australian wages bill of below $10 million, as at 1 July 2020.

Register your interest with Service NSW

Payroll tax relief

2021/22 payroll tax waivers of 25% for businesses with Australian payrolls between $1.2M and $10M that have experienced a 30% decline in turnover, as well as payroll tax deferrals and interest free repayment plans.

NSW businesses with a payroll tax liability have the option to defer lodgement and payment of their 2020/21 annual reconciliation until 7 October 2021.

Customers required to lodge monthly returns have the option to defer their returns due in August and September until 7 October 2021.

All payroll tax customers that defer their payments are eligible for an interest free payment plan of up to 12 months.

NSW Treasurer’s media release 22 July 2021

NSW Premier & Treasurer’s media release 13 July 2021

Revenue NSW media release 13 July 2021 

Land tax relief

 

Commercial, retail and residential landlords eligible for land tax relief equal to the rent reductions granted to financially distressed tenants up to 100% of their 2021 land tax liability.

Available for rent reductions made from now until 31 December 2021.

NSW government support for residential and commercial tenants

Residential landlord grant

 

Residential landlords not subject to land tax can apply for either:

  • a $1500 grant to residential landowners to pass onto their tenants, or
  • a concession of up to 100% of 2021 land tax

Eligibility:

  • for landlords who provide at least that much rental relief
  • tenants must have lost 25% or more of their income
  • available for rent reductions made from now until 31 December 2021

NSW government support for residential and commercial tenants

Fair Trading NSW guidance

Small business fees and charges rebate

 

Sole traders, owners of a small businesses and not-for-profits may be eligible for a fees and charges rebate of $1500 to offset the costs of eligible NSW and local government charges due and paid from 1 March 2021.

The rebate is available until 30 June 2022.

Apply to Service NSW

Assistance for not-for-profit and commercial performing arts organisations and music venues

A $75 million support package to continue paying staff and performers and provide support for loss of box office income due to COVID restrictions.

Applications open: 23 July 2021

Create NSW website

At Accorti Accountants + Advisors we specialise in helping clients through difficult times.  If you have any questions Contact us now

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