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NSW Government COVID-19 economic support

NSW Government COVID-19 response measures to help businesses, organisations and individuals

The NSW Government has announced COVID-19 economic stimulus packages that complement the Federal Government’s measures.

COVID-19 Micro-Business Grant

Applications close at 11:59pm on 18 October 2021

If you’re a micro-business (small business, sole trader or not-for-profit organisation with aggregated annual turnover between $30,000 and $75,000) impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions, you may be eligible to apply for a fortnightly payment of $1,500 to cover business expenses for the duration of the Greater Sydney lockdown.

The 2021 COVID-19 micro-business grant provides cash flow support for micro-businesses in New South Wales who have had their work impacted by the restrictions while continuing to incur business costs.

Eligible applicants can use the grant for business costs incurred from 1 June 2021 and for which no other government support is available, including:

  • salaries and wages
  • utilities and rent
  • financial, legal or other advice
  • marketing and communications
  • perishable goods
  • other business costs

Jobsaver Payment

Applications close at 11:59pm on 18 October 2021

If you’re a business, sole trader or not-for-profit organisation in NSW and you’ve been impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions, you may be eligible for the 2021 COVID-19 JobSaver payment.

JobSaver will provide cash flow support to impacted businesses to help maintain their NSW employee headcount on 13 July 2021.

Eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations with employees will receive fortnightly payments backdated to cover costs incurred from week 4 of the Greater Sydney lockdown (from 18 July 2021 onwards).

The payment will be equivalent to 40% of the weekly payroll for work performed in NSW:

  • minimum payment will be $1,500 per week
  • maximum payment will be $10,000 per week

Weekly payroll should generally be determined by referring to the most recent Business Activity Statement (BAS) provided to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) before 26 June 2021 for the 2020-21 financial year.

If you’re a non-employing business, such as a sole trader, you may be eligible to receive a payment of $1,000 per week.

Eligible businesses can use JobSaver to cover business costs incurred from 18 July 2021. These costs may include:

  • salaries and wages
  • utilities and rent
  • financial, legal or other advice
  • marketing and communications
  • perishable goods
  • other business costs.

Payroll Assistance

Tax assistance is available to help businesses impacted by COVID-19. This includes, but is not limited to: Payroll tax deferrals, payroll tax concessions, instant asset write-off, boosting cash flow for employers, backing business incentives, and adjustments to toll payments.

Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate

Rebate available until 30 June 2022

If you are a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $1500.

This rebate helps businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and encourages growth by reducing the cost of running a business. Eligible businesses or not-for-profits only need to apply for the rebate once, but can submit multiple claims until the full value of $1500 is reached.

Funds can be used to offset the costs of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges due and paid from 1 March 2021. These include, but are not limited to:

  • food authority licences
  • liquor licences
  • tradesperson licences
  • event fees
  • outdoor seating fees
  • council rates.

The rebate cannot be used for fines or penalties, fees and charges that have the key purpose of discouraging behaviours or inducing behaviour changes, Commonwealth government charges, rent on government premises, or taxes.

See guidelines for more information.

Jobs Plus Program

The Jobs Plus program offers support from the NSW Government to Australian and international companies who are looking to start or expand business operations in New South Wales.

If you want to enter or expand your business in NSW by starting a project that will create jobs, Jobs Plus could help reduce the costs and financial risks for your company, while strengthening the local economy.

Jobs Plus is open to businesses who create at least a net growth of 30 new full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs as part of a business project in NSW before 30 June 2024. One FTE job is equal to a ‘standard working week’ of 35 hours for ongoing roles. Full time roles can claim 1 FTE and part-time roles can claim a proportion of 1 FTE on a pro-rata basis.

Companies must apply for Jobs Plus and start hiring new staff before 30 June 2022. All new staff must also live, and be paid, in NSW.

Business Concierge service

Service NSW provides a business Concierge’ service, that can provide you with guidance if your business has been impacted by COVID-19 or NSW bushfires, by connecting you with support and advice.

Page updated 28 September 2021. Please check the relevant NSW Government websites for updates on these initiatives.

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