Updates to NSW Government COVID-19 support

Posted On September 8, 2021

With information changing rapidly we’ve put together a page to help you navigate the support available. Below you’ll find links to government websites so you can quickly and efficiently source the information relevant to you and your business. 

Whether you’re running a business with or without staff, start by checking Services Australia’s page covering payments, forms, services and information.

The NSW Government has announced an additional $3.9 billion in funding, including $1.5 billion from the Commonwealth, as part of its COVID-19 economic support package providing ongoing assistance to businesses and individuals affected by current lockdown restrictions across the State.

This additional funding will extend the successful JobSaver program and Microbusiness Grant and continue rent relief incentives.

Additional relief for businesses will also be provided with further reductions in payroll tax as well as allowing eligible businesses to defer their payroll tax payments, due from July 2021 through to December 2021, until 14 January 2022 with 12-month interest-free repayment plans to be available.

Extension of JobSaver from 28 August

  • Eligible businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $250 million that continue to experience a minimum 30% decline in turnover due to the Public Health Order will be eligible for payments of up to 40% of their pre-COVID weekly NSW payroll
  • Eligible businesses in the hospitality, tourism, and recreation sectors with a turnover of more than $250 million and up to $1 billion that continue to experience the requisite decline in turnover due to the Public Health Order will be eligible to receive payments of 40% of their pre-COVID weekly NSW payroll, up to $500,000 per week
  • Eligible Not-for-Profit (NFP) organisations in the social support and animal welfare sectors with a turnover between $75,000 and $250 million that show a minimum 15% decline in turnover will be eligible for payments of up to 40% of their pre-COVID weekly NSW payroll. Eligible NFPs will be able to apply from later in September to access backdated payments.

Extension of the COVID-19 Micro-business Grant from 28 August

  • Eligible businesses with a turnover of more than $30,000 and less than $75,000 that continue to experience a minimum 30% decline in turnover due to the Public Health Order will be eligible for a fortnightly payment of $1,500.

Extension of payroll tax deferrals and waivers

  • Businesses eligible for a 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant or JobSaver with payrolls $10 million or less will be eligible for a 50% reduction (waiver) in their 2021-22 payroll tax, up from 25%.
  • All businesses will also be able to further defer payroll tax payments due from July 2021 through to December 2021. The payments will now not be due until 14 January 2022, and 12-month interest-free repayment plans will become available.

Extension of support for commercial, retail, and residential landlords

  • Eligible commercial and retail landlords that provide rental waivers to COVID19 impacted tenants and have not claimed land tax relief, will be eligible for a monthly grant of up to $3,000, and
  • Eligible residential landlords can choose between applying for land tax relief or a further payment of $1,500, taking total assistance to a maximum of $4,500 per tenancy if they agree to reduce the rent for COVID-19 impacted tenants by at least $4,500.

COVID disaster payments

The maximum COVID disaster payment is $750, while the payment for those working less than 20 hours is $450.

Support has also been extended to those who are on welfare payments such as Youth Allowance. They will be able to receive a weekly payment of $200 if they have lost more than eight hours of work a week.

Commercial tenancy protection

Landlords may not be able to take action such as eviction, if the impacted tenant breaches a retail or commercial lease due to the impacts of COVID-19. Tenants and landlords must once again renegotiate the terms of the lease, including rent.  The period of protection has been extended to 13 January 2022.

NSW will introduce a Hardship Fund to provide incentives to landlords making concessions for commercial tenants. A monthly grant of up to $3,000 will be available to eligible small commercial or retail landlords who provide rental waivers of at least the value of the grant and (if eligible) any land tax relief. 

Commercial landowners may apply for up to 100% of their land tax liability for 2021 if they have reduced rent for a tenant by at least the amount being claimed for any period between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021. 

Other support and payments

A one-off support payment of $320 is available to eligible NSW workers who reside in the affected LGAs and are required to test and isolate immediately. The payment is designed to avoid potential transmission of the virus through workplaces when people do not get tested as soon as they are required or fail to follow the isolations rules. Read the guidelines including eligibility criteria and application process.  

If you have any questions in regards to your own circumstances please call our office to discuss your options.