A snapshot of business support relevant to retailers. The ARA will keep this post continuously updated.
The following information is current as of 31 March 2022.
Please see the below quick links for relevant information:
- Disaster Flood Relief (for QLD and NSW members)
- Covid-19 Related Business Support
Disaster Flood Relief
Natural disaster assistance is available from the Australian Government and the NSW and Queensland governments to help businesses directly affected by floods.
If your business has been affected by the recent rainfall and floods, there’s a range of support available.
We hope the below information can help you to access support easily and quickly as needed.
Support for businesses in New South WalesNew support package for northern NSW
- $100 million for a Small and Medium-sized Businesses Package in the seven highly impacted local government areas
- Grants of up to $10,000 for eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organisations that have experienced a minimum 40 per cent decline in turnover in March 2022 due to the impacts of flooding.
- Financial assistance grants of up to $200,000 for medium sized businesses, employing more than 20 and up to 200 employees that have been impacted by floods, to assist with clean-up, essential repairs and replacement not covered by insurance.
- New support package for northern NSW
- Additional flood assistance for Northern NSW and rental support applications open
Extra $150 million for QLD and NSW for flood recovery and resilience
- The Australian Government will draw down on the Emergency Response Fund to inject an additional $150 million to flood affected communities in New South Wales and Queensland for recovery and post-disaster resilience initiatives.
- Extra $150 million for QLD and NSW for flood recovery and resilience | National Recovery and Resilience Agency
Apply for the flood recovery rental support payment
- The flood recovery rental support payment helps NSW residents in highly impacted suburbs who are unable to live in their home due to the February and March 2022 storms and floods.
- Applications close 24 June 2022
- Apply for the flood recovery rental support payment | Service NSW
Apply for the February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant
- This disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations.
- Closing date 7 September 2022
- Storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant (February to March 2022) – Application guide | Service NSW
SMALL BUSINESS DEBT HELPLINE – Support is available for small businesses affected by floods.
- We can help you find and apply for grants, concession loans and bill relief to help your business recover.
- We can also help with your insurance – including understanding your policy, making a claim, or dealing with your insurance company.
- Floods – Small Business Debt Helpline (sbdh.org.au)
Bank assistance for flood victims – Financial Assistance For People Affected By The QLD & NSW Floods (canstar.com.au)
- National Australia Bank (NAB)
NAB is also offering $1,000 grants to customers in northern New South Wales who have been affected by the floods and need funds to cover immediate needs in the aftermath of the crisis.
Call NAB Assist on 1300 308 132
- ANZ Bank
ANZ has announced a financial relief package for customers affected by flooding across Northern New South Wales
Short-term payment relief on home loans, credit cards, personal loans and some business loans (the bank says it may still charge interest during this period)
Waiving fees for restructuring business loans
Waiving fees for accessing term deposits early.
ANZ customers affected by flooding are encouraged to contact the bank’s dedicated financial hardship team on 1800 149 549 or visit their website for natural disaster support
- Westpac
Westpac has launched a $2 million fund to help small businesses impacted by the floods in New South Wales
Apply for $3,000 in cash grants per customer group to help with urgent expenses or repairs
Westpac Group announces $2 million fund to support flood impacted small businesses | Westpac
- Export assistance grant
If you are an exporting business, or if you were exporting goods or services before the impacts of COVID-19, bushfires or drought, you may be eligible for an export assistance grant of up to $10,000.
Export assistance grant | Service NSW
- Additional Commonwealth financial assistance made available for flood victims in Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Tweed
An additional two weekly disaster payments – known as Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) Special Supplement
$1,000 per adult and $400 per child. These payments will be made from 22 March
Additional Commonwealth financial assistance made available for flood victims in Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Tweed | Ministers Media Centre (pmc.gov.au)
Support for businesses in Queensland
- Extra $150 million for QLD and NSW for flood recovery and resilience
The Australian Government will draw down on the Emergency Response Fund to inject an additional $150 million to flood affected communities in New South Wales and Queensland for recovery and post-disaster resilience initiatives.
Extra $150 million for QLD and NSW for flood recovery and resilience | National Recovery and Resilience Agency
- If you’ve been affected by the recent New South Wales and Queensland floods you don’t need to worry about tax right now
Flood support | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
Lodge by 28 March 2022
- Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding
Grants of up to $50,000 are available
Applications close 5 September 2022
Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding | Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (qrida.qld.gov.au)
- Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan
Loan amount Maximum of $100,000
Applications close 31 December 2023
Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan | Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (qrida.qld.gov.au)
- Disaster Assistance Loans are available to assist primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations with re-establishing normal operations.
Loan amount Maximum of $250,000
Applications close 31 December 2023
Disaster Assistance Loans | Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (qrida.qld.gov.au)
Bank assistance for flood victims – Financial Assistance For People Affected By The QLD & NSW Floods (canstar.com.au)
- National Australia Bank (NAB)
NAB is offering $1,000 grants to customers in Queensland
$1,000 business grants to help restart or reopen and cover the cost of damaged property
Call NAB Assist on 1300 308 132
- ANZ Bank
ANZ has announced a financial relief package for customers affected by flooding across south east Queensland
Short-term payment relief on home loans, credit cards, personal loans and some business loans (the bank says it may still charge interest during this period)
Waiving fees for restructuring business loans
Waiving fees for accessing term deposits early.
ANZ customers affected by flooding are encouraged to contact the bank’s dedicated financial hardship team on 1800 149 549 or visit their website for natural disaster support
- Westpac
Westpac has launched a $2 million fund to help small businesses impacted by the floods in Queensland
Apply for $3,000 in cash grants per customer group to help with urgent expenses or repairs - Westpac Group announces $2 million fund to support flood impacted small businesses | Westpac
For further advice on the latest news for each area, the ARA recommends you look at the following links:
- Find the latest Queensland community information for your area: Home Page | Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (qfes.qld.gov.au)
- Stay up to date on the latest NSW community advice for your area: Home | NSW State Emergency Service
COVID-19 Business Support
NATIONAL
National support for business
- Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment for people unable to earn an income because you must isolate, quarantine or care for someone with COVID-19: Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – Services Australia
- See the Australian Government’s business support for Indigenous businesses to recover from COVID-19: Indigenous Business Australia – COVID-19 Support | business.gov.au
- The Indigenous Business Australia organisation provides support to Indigenous businesses impacted by COVID-19: Support during COVID-19 EOI – Indigenous Business Australia (iba.gov.au)
- Additional support during COVID-19: Additional support during COVID-19 | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
NEW SOUTH WALES
Support for businesses in NSW
Apply for the 2022 Small Business Support Program
- If you’re a business, sole trader or not-for-profit organisation in NSW and you’ve been impacted by the Omicron wave of COVID-19, you may be eligible for a payment under the 2022 Small Business Support Program
- If you’re an employing business, the payment will be equivalent to 20% of weekly payroll for work performed in NSW:
– minimum payment will be $750 per week
– maximum payment will be $5,000 per week.
- Applications close on 31 March 2022
- Apply for the 2022 Small Business Support Program | Service NSW
Apply for a commercial landlord hardship grant
- small commercial or retail landlord, you may be eligible for a grant under the commercial landlord hardship fund if your main source of income is impacted due to providing rent relief to tenants financially impacted by COVID-19 restrictions
- Grants of up to $3,000 per month (GST inclusive), per property, are available
- Applications close 31 May 2022.
- Apply for a commercial landlord hardship grant | Service NSW
Apply for the small business fees and charges rebate
- Small business fees and charges rebate of $2,000
- The rebate will be available until 30 June 2022
- Apply for the small business fees and charges rebate | Service NSW
Business registration and support for NSW vouchers
- $100 to spend at participating dining, arts and recreation businesses.
- NSW residents can apply for 6 x $25 vouchers, worth $150 in total
- Available until 30 June 2022
- Business registration and support for NSW vouchers | NSW Government
SME Recovery Loan Scheme
- The Government’s SME Recovery Loan Scheme (the Scheme) is designed to support the economic recovery and provide continued assistance to SMEs dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
- Until 30 June 2022
- SME Recovery Loan Scheme | Treasury.gov.au
SME Recovery Loan Scheme
- support the economic recovery and provide continued assistance to SMEs dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis
- Government guarantee of 50%.
- Loans are available until 30 June 2022
- SME Recovery Loan Scheme | Treasury.gov.au
Alfresco Restart rebate
- If you are a small or medium food and beverage business wanting to create or expand your outdoor dining area, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $5,000 under the NSW Government’s Alfresco Restart package.
- Claims must be made by 30 June 2022
- Register for an Alfresco Restart rebate | Service NSW
Funding to help bring city streets back to life
- Local neighbourhoods in the City of Sydney are set for an economic boost thanks to a new $4 million grants program.
- The City of Sydney has developed a new precinct activation program to fund businesses and creatives to work together to revitalise our villages and activate new micro-precincts.
- Applications close at 5pm on Monday 11 April. Projects must take place from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
- Funding to help bring city streets back to life | City of Sydney – News (nsw.gov.au)
- Your say on our proposed precinct activation grant guidelines – City of Sydney (nsw.gov.au)
- Grants, loans and financial assistance | Service NSW
Export assistance grant
- If you are an exporting business, or if you were exporting goods or services before the impacts of COVID-19, bushfires or drought, you may be eligible for an export assistance grant of up to $10,000.
- Export assistance grant | Service NSW
COVID-19 Tax Relief Measures NSW
- Various tax relief measures.
- Currently Open
- COVID-19 Tax Relief Measures NSW | business.gov.au
$1000 SafeWork small business rebate
- Get up to $1000 towards the cost of workplace health and safety items. This rebate was recently doubled from $500.
- $1000 SafeWork small business rebate | NSW Government
VICTORIA
Support for businesses in Victoria
COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program VIC
- This program provides VIC businesses, not-for-profits, community organisations and trader associations with funding to help them reopen in a COVIDSafe way.
- Voucher of $2,000.
- Applications will remain open until the program application quota is filled
- COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program VIC | business.gov.au
Tax relief measures for eligible Victorian businesses impacted by COVID-19
- Various tax relief measures.
- Coronavirus Payroll Tax Relief VIC | business.gov.au
COVIDSafe Deep Cleaning Rebate VIC
- The COVIDSafe Deep Cleaning Rebate provides small and medium-sized businesses with a rebate to help offset the costs of hiring professional cleaning services to conduct a decontamination clean.
- Apply at any time
- COVIDSafe Deep Cleaning Rebate VIC | business.gov.au
Jobs Victoria Fund
- The Jobs Victoria Fund provides businesses, sole traders, social enterprises and organisations with a wage subsidy to take on new, eligible staff.
- Wage subsidies of up to $20,000 over 12 months
- Apply at any time
- Jobs Victoria Fund | business.gov.au
Small Business Digital Adaptation Program
- A $1,200 rebate to access a range of digital business tools to help modernise business operations.
- This program will open on 4 April 2022
- Business Stimulus Package | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)
QUEENSLAND
Support for businesses in Queensland
Support for Tourism Operators and Hospitality Providers QLD
- Relief measures for tourism operators and hospitality providers whose business has been impacted by COVID-19.
- Various fees and charges relief
- Currently open
- Support for Tourism Operators and Hospitality Providers QLD | business.gov.au
Queensland COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate
- The COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate provides small and medium businesses that have been listed as an exposure venue with rebates to help cover professional cleaning expenses.
- Rebates of up to $10,000
- Applications will remain open until all funds are exhausted, or the program closes, whichever occurs first
- Queensland COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate | business.gov.au
Instant asset write-off for eligible businesses
- Eligible businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used or installed ready for use.
- Instant asset write-off | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
Backing business investment – accelerated depreciation
- Eligible businesses, for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 income years, may be able to deduct the cost of new depreciating assets at an accelerated rate using the backing business investment – accelerated depreciation rules.
- Backing business investment – accelerated depreciation | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)
How insurers are helping their customers
- Your insurance company may offer financial relief if your business has been affected by COVID-19. Visit the Insurance Council of Australia, or talk to your insurer, for more advice.
- Impact of COVID – Insurance Council of Australia
Support for customers impacted by COVID-19 – Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland
- Your energy or water provider may offer financial relief if your business has been affected by COVID-19. Visit the Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland, or talk to your provider, for more advice
- Support for customers impacted by COVID-19 | EWOQ
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Support for businesses in Western Australia
Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package to support Western Australian businesses
- The assistance includes a $66.8 million Small Business Hardship Grants Program, $2.8 million of payroll tax relief for large hospitality businesses, and $2.1 million for a COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program.
- The $2.1 million COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program includes a $35,000 rebate per game for venue hire costs until 30 June 2022
- Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package to support Western Australian businesses (www.wa.gov.au)
Small Business Hardship Grants
- Eligible businesses that apply and receive funding from other recent business support programs, including the Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package, are also eligible to receive grants from the Level 2 package. Payments to eligible businesses will be according to business size
- Be able to demonstrate a 50 per cent reduction in revenue for any two-week consecutive period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 202
- COVID-19 Government Grants | Small Business Development Corporation
Tenant Rent Relief Scheme
- The payment of $3,000 excluding GST is intended to offset the financial impact of reduced turnover at Western Australian businesses
- Applications must be received by 4:00pm 30 June 2022
- Tenant Rent Relief Scheme | Small Business Development Corporation
COVID-19 Government Grants: COVID-19 Government Grants | Small Business Development Corporation
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Support for businesses in the Northern Territory
Business Growth Program
- You can apply for up to $10,000 based on a 25/75 co-contribution
- Business Growth Program – NT.GOV.AU
Business Hardship Register
- $3,000 for employing businesses, or $1,000 for sole traders a
- 30% reduction on utility bills from January 2022 until March 2022
- A waiver on payroll tax (payroll below $5 million) from January 2022 to March 2022.
- Business Hardship Register – NT.GOV.AU
COVID-19 Lockdown Payment Program
- An extra small business payment is available if:
– the business is closed for more than 7 days due to the Chief Health Officer directions
– the business is in a lockdown zone and already applied
– the business was approved for the lockdown payment (round 4).
Smarter Business Solutions
- you can get help to reduce day-to-day energy, water, waste and material costs through the Smarter Business Solutions program
- Smarter Business Solutions – NT.GOV.AU
Aboriginal Business Development Program
- The Aboriginal Business Development Program assists Aboriginal people interested in starting or expanding an existing their business in the Northern Territory (NT).
- Aboriginal Business Development Program – NT.GOV.AU
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Support for businesses in the Australian Capital Territory
Business support ACT – Business support – Business Hub (act.gov.au)
The SCREEN Fund
- This grant provides funding to independent cinemas who have had significant declines in revenue due to COVID-19.
- Funding of up to $85,000.
- Closing date: 29 Apr 2022
- The SCREEN Fund | business.gov.au
SME Recovery Loan Scheme
- This program provides small and medium-sized businesses with guaranteed loans to help their business recover from the impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
- Loan of up to $5 million.
- Closing date: 30 Jun 2022
- SME Recovery Loan Scheme | business.gov.au
Indigenous Business Australia – COVID-19 Support
- Indigenous Business Australia – COVID-19 Support provides Indigenous businesses with funding and specialist advice to help them recover from the impact of COVID-19.
- Advice and working capital assistance of up to $200,000.
- Indigenous Business Australia – COVID-19 Support | business.gov.au
Economic Survival Package ACT
- Various economic support measures.
- Economic Survival Package ACT | business.gov.au
Payroll tax exemption – apprentices or trainees
- Wages paid to new employees who are apprentices or trainees employed after 1 August 2020 are exempt from payroll tax from the start of their employment until 30 June 2022.
- COVID-19 economic support for business – Business Hub (act.gov.au)
Utilities concession increase
- From 1 July 2021, the annual utilities concession amount has permanently increased by $50 to $750.
- In the 2021-22 financial year, an additional one-off $50 increase will be provided to the utilities concession in light of the electricity prices increases.
- As a temporary COVID-19 measure, there will be an additional one-off $200 increase in the utilities concession to bring it to $1,000 for 2021-22 to help the most vulnerable in the ACT community with a significant expense throughout the year.
- COVID-19 Assistance | ACT Revenue Office – Website
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Support for businesses in South Australia
COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant SA
- This program provides funding to SA employing and non-employing businesses whose turnover has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
- One-off grants of $2,000 for non-employing businesses and $6,000 for employing businesses.
- Closing date: 31 Mar 2022
- COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant SA | business.gov.au
Support for businesses, jobs & the community impacted by COVID-19: Support for businesses, jobs & the community impacted by COVID-19:
- The South Australian Government has a range of supports for businesses impacted by the health restrictions put in place from 27 December 2021.
- Support for businesses, jobs & the community impacted by COVID-19 | Department of Treasury and Finance
See Payroll Tax Deferral for Tourism, Hospitality and Gyms/Other Businesses:
- Tourism, hospitality, gyms and other eligible businesses impacted by the trading restrictions in place from 27 December 2021 may apply to RevenueSA for a deferral of payroll tax due over the period from January 2022 to June 2022, with these deferred payments due from July 2022.
- Other Support for South Australian Businesses | Department of Treasury and Finance & COVID-19 Relief | RevenueSA
Liquor Licence Fees – Relief
- The South Australian Government provided a waiver of annual liquor licencing fees for 2020-21 for on premises, residential, restaurant & catering, club, liquor production & sales and small venue
- Other Support for South Australian Businesses | Department of Treasury and Finance
See Jobs and Economic Growth Fund
- From 1 July 2021, the Fund will be renamed the Jobs and Economic Growth Fund and will have funding capacity of $200 million over four years to focus on supporting initiatives that create long-term sustainable jobs and economic growth.
- Jobs and Economic Growth Fund | Department of Treasury and Finance
Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant – December 2021
- $3,000 for employing businesses or $1,000 for non‑employing businesses. Additional $1,000 for Adelaide CBD businesses. Additional $7,000 for tourism and hospitality businesses with turnover above $2 million.
- Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant – December 2021 | Department of Treasury and Finance
TASMANIA
Support for businesses in Tasmania
COVID-19 Business Impact Support Program Round 3
- The COVID-19 Business Impact Support Program has been established to support Tasmanian businesses whose business operations have been impacted due to:
– critical staff being required to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19, or
– being forced to close due to a Public Health Direction
– suffered a significant reduction in demand
COVID-19 Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program TAS
- This program provides small businesses with funding to engage an appropriate consultant to provide advice or services that will help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
- Funding of between $750 and $1500
- Closing date: 30 May 2022
- COVID-19 Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance Program TAS | business.gov.au
Business Growth Loan Scheme TAS
- This scheme provides businesses with concessional loans to help them develop and transition to sustainable post-COVID-19 operating models.
- Loans from $20,000 to $3 million.
- Closing date: 14 Sep 2022
- Business Growth Loan Scheme TAS | business.gov.au
Rapid Response Skills Initiative (RRSI) TAS
- Individuals (including sole traders) who have lost work due to COVID-19.
- Funding of up to $3000.
- Rapid Response Skills Initiative (RRSI) TAS | business.gov.au
Business Vehicle Registration Relief Package TAS
- Vehicle registration deferral.
- Business Vehicle Registration Relief Package TAS | business.gov.au
