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COVID-19 - Further Assistance available 15 April 2020

COVID-19 - Further Assistance available 15 April 2020


Aegis Business Services is here to support you!  

 

Today we wanted to change it up and give you a checklist to ensure you have investigated all areas of assistance available to businesses during this unprecedented time.  We have collated a checklist that pulls resources at both National and State level.  

 

National Level 

 

  • Commercial Tenancies – Mandatory Code of Conduct to allow Landlords and Tenants to work together and follow a set of good faith leasing principles. 

https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures-070420 

 

  • Export Market Development Grants – Increase in funding for Exporters and Tourism Businesses to get additional reimbursement for costs incurred in marketing their products and services around the world. 

https://www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-Grants 

 

 

State Level 

 

Queensland 

 

  • Landlord Land Tax Relief – Possibility of Land Tax Reduction, Waiver or Defferal from the Queensland State Government 

https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/tax/covid-19 

 

  • Jobs Support Loans – Low interest loans up to $250,000 to assist business to continue to trade.  Applications open online at:  

http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/current-programs/covid-19-business-support/queensland-covid19-jobs-support-scheme 

 

  • Automatic Electricity Rebate - $500 rebate applied to the business electricity bill if as a business less that 100,000 kilowatt hours are consumed.  

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/energy-business 

 

  • Manufacturers Supply Matching - Support for businesses and manufacturers who are finding it difficult to obtain vital materials and supplies to remain open – Register your business online  

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/manufacturing-retail/manufacturing 

 

  • Queensland Arts Sector Support and Assistance – Increase in funding available in this sector 

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/science-it-creative/creative-industries 

 

  • Payroll Tax Relief – Eligible businesses can apply for a deferral until end of 2020 and a payroll tax holiday for 3 months. 

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/payroll-tax/lodging/coronavirus-tax-relief 

 

These Queensland State Government Support Opportunities come from https://www.business.qld.gov.au/covid-assistance - there are more that what is mentioned above so please visit this site for further information. 

 

New South Wales 

 

  • Payroll Tax Assistance – Deferral of all payroll tax payments for 6 months 

https://preview.nsw.gov.au/news/nsw-businesses-to-benefit-from-today-as-payroll-tax-measures-take-effect 

  • $10,000 Small Business Grant – Applications are now open for eligible businesses will receive a grant up to $10,000  

https://preview.nsw.gov.au/news/10000-grants-to-provide-fast-relief-for-nsw-small-businesses-battling-covid-19 

  • Support for business to help fill the medical supply chain – Register interest online 

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses/opportunity-nsw-businesses-help-fill-medical-supply-chain 

  • Energy networks across New South Wales, Victoria & South Australia confirmed that small businesses that are mothballed, electricity and gas network charges will not be applied from the start of April to the end of June 2020. 

https://www.energynetworks.com.au/news/media-releases/2020-media-releases/energy-network-relief-package-announced/ 

 

These New South Wales State Government Support Opportunities come from https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses - there are more than what is mentioned above so please visit this site for further information. 

 

 

Victoria 

 

  • Business Support Fund - Eligible businesses can apply for a one-off $10,000 grant which can be used towards costs such as utilities, rent and salaries, and activities to support business continuity planning.  

https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-fund 

 

  • Payroll Tax – Businesses with annual taxable wages up to $3 million will have their payroll tax for the 2019-20 financial year waived.  Deferral of 2020-21 for the first quarter is also available. 

https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/payroll-tax/covid-19-payroll-tax-relief-claim-reimbursement 

 

  • Energy networks across New South Wales, Victoria & South Australia confirmed that small businesses that are mothballed, electricity and gas network charges will not be applied from the start of April to the end of June 2020. 

https://www.energynetworks.com.au/news/media-releases/2020-media-releases/energy-network-relief-package-announced/ 

 

These Victoria State Government Support Opportunities come from https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/illness-and-business-management-plan/coronavirus-business-support  there are more than what is mentioned above so please visit this site for further information. 

 

South Australia 

 

  • Jobs Rescue Package includes one off emergency cash grants of $10,000 for small businesses that have suffered a significant loss of income or been forced to close as a result of necessary coronavirus-related restrictions.  

https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/stimulus-measures-to-support-businesses-and-the-community-impacted-by-covid-19 

  • Payroll Tax Relief – Eligible businesses will receive a six month payroll tax waiver   

https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/grants-and-concessions/covid19-relief 

 

These South Australia State Government Support Opportunities come from https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/stimulus-measures-to-support-businesses-and-the-community-impacted-by-covid-19 there are more than what is mentioned above so please visit this site for further information. 

 

 

Tasmania 

 

  • Small Business Emergency Support Grant - $2,500 grant are available as a one off emergency support payment to eligible businesses. 

https://www.business.tas.gov.au/covid-19_business_support_packages/small_business_emergency_support_grant 

  • Small Business Hardship Grant - $15 000 grants will be available for eligible businesses that employ fewer than 50 FTEs. 

https://www.business.tas.gov.au/covid-19_business_support_packages/small_business_hardship_grant 

  • Business Support Loan Scheme - Loans from $20 000 up to $250 000 are available to assist eligible businesses for the purpose of supporting business continuity, viability and sustainability during the Coronavirus period.  

https://www.business.tas.gov.au/covid-19_business_support_packages/business_support_loan_scheme 

  • Payroll Tax Relief – Waiver of all Payroll Toax for the 2019-20 year for eligible businesses 

https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/payroll-tax 

  • Business Vehicle Registration Relief Package - Small businesses looking to suspend activity due to the COVID-19 can apply to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to freeze their business vehicle registrations for both light and heavy vehicles 

https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/227908/TasGov_COVID19_Factsheet_Business_vehicle_registration_relief_package.pdf 

 

 Western Australia

  • One-off $2,500 credit on electricity bills for small businesses that consume less than 50MWh per annum. For more information read the statements on the Synergy and Horizon Power websites.
  • Power and water disconnections will not occur and interest will not be charged on deferred payments until 30 September for small businesses facing financial difficulty due to COVID-19. Please note: This applies to Synergy and Horizon Power customers.
  • Payroll tax will be waived for four months for businesses with annual wages under $7.5 million (NB: this replaces the previous payroll deferral measure which was announced).
  • Affected businesses can apply for interest free payment arrangements and for late payment penalties to be waved for a range of taxes and duties, including payroll tax, transfer duty, landholder duty, vehicle licence duty or land tax.
  • A range of business licence fees have been waived, including liquor licence renewal fees for 2020, which will be waived and refunds given to businesses that have already paid.
  • Payroll Grant Payments - Grants of $17,500 will automatically be paid by cheque to eligible businesses from July, however you should log in to Revenue Online to ensure your postal address is up to date. There may be delays for those whose tax status changed in 2018-19 or liability for payroll tax changed in 2018-19 or 2019-20.
  • Reflief package for on-demand transport industry - The WA Government has announced a $9 million relief package to support the taxi and on-demand transport industry during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes:
    • $4.7 million regional taxi industry assistance package, with payments expected to be made in July
    • $2,500 cash payments to on-demand booking services
    • waiving booking services and passenger transport vehicle authorisation fees for one year
    • postponing the deadline for taxis to install camera surveillance units by one year.
  • Rent Relief for WA government commercial tenants - The WA Government will waive rental payments for small businesses and not-for-profit groups in State Government-owned buildings for six months to help these lease holders respond to the impacts of COVID-19. The plan will benefit businesses such as convenience stores in train stations, cafés in government buildings, and restaurants in tourism precincts, such as Elizabeth Quay and Yagan Square. It will also benefit eligible small businesses leasing land from the State, such as caravan park and eco-tourism operators.

For more information please visit - https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/blog/wa-coronavirus-relief-package

ACT

  • Business Liason Team - A business liaison phone line has been created to assist businesses understand the support available to them through the ACT Economic Survival Package and practical advice for businesses operating through changed arrangements due to COVID-19.

    The number businesses can call is: (02) 6205 0900

  • Food Business registration, outdoor dining and liquor licensing - Off licenced venues with gross liquor purchase value of below $3 million per annum and licenced venues will receive a 12-month waiver of their food business registration and liquor licencing fees from 1 April 2020. Outdoor dining fees for 2020-2021 will also be waived.In cases where food business registration has been prepaid for more than one year in advance, an additional 12 months will be added to the license.

    Businesses do not need to contact Access Canberra or the Health Protection Service for this waiver to occur. This support will be applied automatically as part of the normal annual fee licencing process.

  • Other Business Fee waivers - The government will waive fees for 12 months from 1 April 2020 for businesses that require an infection control licence such as beauty therapists, nail salons, tattoo parlours and dentists.You do not need to contact Health Protection Services, this will automatically happen as part of the normal licencing process.

  • Support for the construction industry - Businesses in the construction industry can defer their payroll tax liability for the six months from April to September 2020 to provide cashflow assistance to help them retain workers. No interest will be charged on deferred amounts until 1 September 2020, at which point the Government will assess the impacts of COVID‑19 AND determine if a further deferral period is required. To access the deferral, Businesses will need to complete a simple online application form on the ACT Revenue Office website.The government will also continue to fast track development application approvals to allow work to continue in the ACT’s construction sector. The ACT Government is focussed on keeping as many people employed as possible, and has been working closely with the local construction sector to ensure existing projects progress and new ones are brought online, while also ensuring appropriate protection for workers

  • Six month waiver on payroll tax - All businesses whose operations are directly affected by the prohibited activites list such as gyms and indoor sporting venues, cinemas, beauty therapists and nail salons will be eligible to receive a six-month waiver of payroll tax from April to September 2020.Businesses will need to complete a simple online application form on the ACT Revenue Office website to confirm their eligibility.

    • For those who lodge their payroll tax return monthly, the first waiver will be applied to the March payroll tax return, which is usually payable by 7 April.
    • For those who lodge their payroll tax return annually, the first waiver will be applied to their account when their return is received at the end of the 2019-20 financial year.
  • Payroll tax deferral - All ACT businesses with Australia-wide wages of up to $10 million can defer their 2020-21 payroll tax, interest free until 1 July 2022. Businesses will need to confirm their eligibility by visiting the payroll tax page on the  ACT Revenue Office website .

    Eligible businesses will need to lodge their payroll tax returns as normal but will not be required to make the associated payment at the usual time. If the deferred amount is paid before 1 July 2022, no interest will be charged. Interest will be applied to any outstanding deferred amounts from 1 July 2022.

    • For those who lodge their payroll tax assessment monthly, deferral can commence for their July 2020 payroll tax liability, which is usually payable by 7 August.
    • For those who lodge their payroll tax assessment annually, they can defer payment of their full 2020-21 payroll tax liability, which is usually payable in July 2021.


For further information about the ACT please visit - https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/economic-support/economic-survival-package/supporting-local-businesses-and-the-economy


We will continue to send through relevant updates as received but please remember we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding your specific circumstances. 


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