The NSW Government is gradually lifting the restrictions on movement and business operations that were aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. This is enabling small businesses to reopen or scale-up their operations. In doing so, small businesses may need to make changes to ensure they provide a safe environment for their staff and the public.
Many small businesses and not-for-profits have experienced a decline in turnover due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Small Business Recovery Grant (“the Grant”) will help these small businesses and not-for-profits meet the costs of safely reopening or scaling up operations.
Applications will open on 1 July 2020 and close at 11:59pm Sunday 16 August 2020.
Available funding
Businesses and not-for-profits will be eligible for a one-off grant of between $500 to $3000 via one application.
Eligibility criteria
Businesses and not-for-profits will be eligible for the grant if they:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN) as at 1 March 2020 registered in NSW;
- have total Australian wages below the NSW Government 2019-20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000 as at 1 March 2020;
- have fewer than 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff (including non-employing businesses) as at 1 March 2020;
- have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 as at 1 March 2020;
- have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 30 per cent from March to July 2020 compared to the equivalent period (of at least 2 weeks) in 2019;
- are in a highly impacted industry (see Attachment A) as at 1 March 2020. These industries were impacted by the COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement Order 2020;
- have costs from 1 July 2020 associated with safely reopening or scaling up their business.
How funding may be used
The Small Business Recovery Grant will provide eligible small businesses and not-for-profits with a grant of between $500 to $3000 to support them to safely reopen or scale up operations. Grant funds can, for example, be used on:
- fit-out changes and temporary physical changes (for example, plastic barriers at checkouts);
- staff training and counselling (for example, health & safety risks and mitigation strategies);
- business advice and continuity planning;
- cleaning products and additional cleaning services;
- additional equipment necessary to comply with social distancing or other public health measures;
- marketing, communications and advertising (for example, to let the community know the business is operating again); and
- digital solutions (for example, e-commerce or business websites).
Please see the following link which outlines in greater detail all the relevant guidelines about the grant https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/small-business-covid-19-recovery-grant-guidelines
There are also other grants, loans and financial assistance on offer from the NSW Government that you can access via https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses/grants-loans-and-financial-assistance
