The NSW Government has announced a business support package to support businesses impacted by the Omicron wave. The Small Business Support Program will be open for applications through Service NSW from mid-February.
The details:
Businesses with an aggregated turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million, for the year ending 30th of June 2021, will be eligible for:
. A payment of up to $5000 per week (20%) of payroll IF they suffered a 40% downturn in January (compared to January 2021 or January 2020) due to Public Health Orders or the impacts of the Omicron COVID-19 strain
. Experienced a decline in turnover of 40% due to the impacts of the Omicron COVID019 strain from the 1st-14th of February 2022, compared to the same fortnight in February in 2021 or 2020
. They are required to maintain their employee headcount from the date of the announcement of the scheme.
. Businesses without employees (sole traders) will receive $500 per week (paid as a lump sum of $2,000)
. The Small Business Fees and Charges rebate program is extended to $3000 and includes 50% of the costs incurred acquiring RAT’s for the workplace
. Commercial landlord relief is extended until the 13th of March.
Business NSW Chief Executive Daniel Hunter said: “Businesses have been crying out for support because of the dramatic impacts that Omicron has had on their operations, especially in what many hoped would be their busiest time.”
Hunter said the government had “done a great job” designing the package, but emphasized the urgency of getting the money to businesses immediately urgently. “Now what’s important is that the money gets out the door and into the hands of those most in need.”
Industry bodies including Business NSW and Aesthetics and Beauty Industry Council have been campaigning for financial support for small businesses for months. As expressed in our “Riding the Omicron Wave” feature, many beauty business owners have felt the Omicron wave was “worse than the lockdowns.” Stay tuned for news from other states.
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