Check back here regularly as this page will be updated with new information & announcements as they occur
Last updated : 23 September 2021
A new business support payment, JobSaver, has been introduced to provide cashflow support to businesses impacted by the significant restrictions facing New South Wales to help them maintain their employee headcount.
For more information see the Service NSW Website.
Note: JobSaver payments will now be available to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $250 million, up from $50 million, which have experienced a revenue decline of 30 per cent or more.
The maximum weekly payment has also been substantially increased, with employing businesses that maintain their employee headcount now able receive between $1,500 and $100,000 per week, up from $10,000, with payments based on 40 per cent of their weekly NSW payroll.
Small businesses, sole traders, or not-for-profit organisations with aggregated annual turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions may be eligible to apply for a fortnightly payment of $1,500 to cover business expenses for the duration of the Greater Sydney lockdown.
👉 Reconfirmation Process
If your business currently receives payments under the NSW JobSaver or Micro-business Grant schemes, you will now need to reconfirm your eligibility each fortnight to continue receiving payments.What needs to be confirmed?
Each fortnight, your business will need to reconfirm that it:
- Continues to experience a decline in turnover of 30% or more; and
- Has maintained employee headcount stated in the application. Note that if your headcount changes, you are obliged to notify Service NSW.
Measuring decline in Turnover
There are two main approaches to validate your decline in turnover depending on whether the business has traded during the relevant fortnight:
- If your business was not trading during the relevant fortnight
There is no requirement to perform a decline in turnover calculation. You can simply select ‘yes’ on the confirmation screen to indicate that your business has continued to experience a decline in turnover of at least 30%.
- If your business was trading during the relevant fortnight
You will need to determine if your business continues to meet the 30% or more decline in turnover eligibility criteria. There are three potential methods you can use but whichever method you use, you will need to use the same method for each subsequent fortnight.
Method 1 – 2019 or 2020 comparison period using testing period fortnight
If your initial comparison period was in 2019 or 2020, then you can use the same year but adjust the comparison period to match the current fortnight being tested.
For example, if you initially compared the period of 26 July to 8 August 2021 to 26 July to 8 August 2019, and you are now reconfirming your eligibility for the period of 13 September to 26 September 2021, then your comparison period is 13 September to 26 September 2019.
Test period Comparison period Application 26 July – 8 Aug 2021 26 July – 8 Aug 2019 Retesting 13 Sept – 26 Sept 2021 13 Sept – 26 Sept 2019 You cannot use 13 September to 26 September 2020 as your comparison period in this example.
Method 2 – 2019 or 2020 comparison period using original testing period
If the initial comparison period was in 2019 or 2020, then you can use the same year and comparison period that you used in your original application.
For example, if you initially compared the period of 26 July to 8 August 2021 to 26 July to 8 August 2019, and you are now reconfirming your eligibility for the period of 13 September to 26 September 2021, then your comparison period remains 26 July to 8 August 2019. This comparison period will remain fixed for all future periods.
Test period Comparison period Application 26 July – 8 Aug 2021 26 July – 8 Aug 2019 Retesting 13 Sept – 26 Sept 2021 26 July – 8 Aug 2019 Method 3 – 12 June to 25 June 2021 comparison period
If 12 June to 25 June 2021 was used as your initial comparison period, then you must use the same period as your initial application when reconfirming eligibility.
For example, if you initially compared the period of 26 July to 8 August 2021 to 12 June to 25 June 2021, and you are now reconfirming your eligibility for the period of 13 September to 26 September 2021, then your comparison period remains 12 June to 25 June 2021. This comparison period will remain fixed for all future periods.
Test period Comparison period Application 26 July – 8 Aug 2021 12 June – 25 June 2021 Retesting 13 Sept – 26 Sept 2021 12 June – 25 June 2021 No further documentation required
Service NSW states that you will not need to provide any additional evidence or attach any documentation when reconfirming your eligibility. However, it is essential that you maintain adequate records to show evidence of your eligibility in the event of an audit.
Comparison period FAQs
I had a three week comparison period. How do I do the comparison?
If the comparison period used in your initial application was more than 2 weeks (for example, a 3 week period), the turnover amount for the comparison period must be converted to a fortnightly amount for comparison purposes to the current turnover by dividing by the number of days in the period and multiplying by 14.
What happens if the business is ineligible one fortnight but eligible the next?
The reconfirmation only tests the relevant fortnight. Becoming ineligible for one fortnight does not disqualify your business from becoming eligible again in a future. Some businesses may be eligible one fortnight and not eligible the next if their decline in turnover decreases again.
Can I delay confirming eligibility?
Yes, but your business will not receive payment until confirmation of eligibility has been received. Some businesses might prefer to wait until month-end accounting records are finalised to confirm eligibility. Service NSW states that payments will be made within 5 days of your business reconfirming its eligibility.
Reconfirming headcount
Your employee headcount was noted on your original application. This was the number of people you employed in NSW including full time, part time and long-term casuals that had been employed by the business for more than 12 months at the time of the application.
JobSaver requires your business to maintain this same headcount to qualify to receive payments unless the employee is no longer employed due to circumstances outside of your control, such as resignation, death or where you have fairly terminated the employee because of misconduct.
If your full time, part time or long-term casual employees, have been stood down, they are still included in the headcount. During a stand down the employment relationship remains (their role has not been terminated), the employee is not paid (unless they are taking paid leave), and they continue to accrue annual leave. See the FairWork website to clarify how and when an employer can stand down employees and the documentation requirements.
Payment amounts
JobSaver
40% of the weekly payroll for work performed in NSW:
Per week Non-employing entity $1,000 Minimum $1,500 Maximum $100,00
For large tourism, hospitality and recreation businesses:
Aggregated annual turnover Per week* More than $250m to $500m $300k More than $500 to $1bn $500k *maximum per week
Micro-business Grant
Payments of $1,500 per fortnight are made to those eligible for the Micro-business Grant.
How to reconfirm your eligibility
You can reconfirm the eligibility of your business for JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant by logging into your Service NSW business profile.
You should also receive reminders from Service NSW to confirm the eligibility of your business. For security, it is best to go straight to your business profiles rather than clicking on any email links.
What do I do if I no longer need assistance?
Log into your Service NSW business profile and request a withdrawal.
NSW Government has announced a deferral of payroll tax until 7th October 2021, and 25 per cent reduction in payroll tax for the 2021/22 financial year for eligible customers. More information on tax relief is available at Service NSW.
Commercial landlords liable for land tax will be eligible for a land tax concession of up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability where they reduce the rent of financially distressed tenants. More information on commercial lease support is available at Service NSW.
One-off payment of $7,500, $10,500 or $15,000 to help eligible businesses affected during first 3 weeks of lockdown.
Three different grant amounts will be available depending on the decline in turnover experienced over a minimum 2-week period from 26th June 2021 to 17th July 2021, compared to the same period in 2019:
Eligibility criteria
All business that received payments through the Business Cost assistance program round two or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will receive $2,800 or $4,200. These payments will be processed automatically.
Businesses that did not apply through previous rounds of these payments may still be eligible for the 21st July Top-Up Payment.
For more information see the Business Victoria website.
A $156 million Business Continuity Fund will be established to deliver $5,000 grants to up to around 30,000 businesses that remain impacted by capacity limits placed on businesses by necessary public health restrictions.
Twenty-four eligible sectors are covered by the fund for businesses including gyms, cafes, restaurants, catering services and hairdressers.
Recognising businesses located in the CBD will continue to be impacted due to restrictions on the number of staff allowed in office buildings, they will be eligible to receive an additional $2,000.
To receive this funding, businesses must have received or be eligible for the Business Cost Assistance Program Round Two.
The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will receive a $70 million boost, with grants of up to $20,000 to support licensed venues as their operations continue to be impacted by current restrictions.
These grants recognise that larger venues depend more on dine-in and have higher operating costs, so need more support than smaller operations. An additional $2,000 will also be made available to the business if it is located within the CBD.
To receive this funding, venues will need to have received or been eligible for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.
The reintroduced Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme will ease pressure by providing rent relief for eligible tenants, while separate support will be provided to landlords who do the right thing by their tenants.
The Scheme, fully funded by the Victorian Government, will be available to businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million and have suffered a decline in turnover of at least 30 per cent due to coronavirus.
Landlords will be required to provide proportional rent relief in line with a business’s reduction in turnover. A mediation service for tenants and landlords will further support fair tenancy negotiations.
Tenants and landlords will be encouraged to enter negotiations directly, with the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) available to provide mediation if parties cannot reach satisfactory agreement. Landlords will not be able to lock out or evict tenants without a determination from the VSBC.
Legislation will shortly be introduced to enact the Scheme, which will be applied from today to ensure rent relief can start immediately.
An $80 million hardship fund for landlords who provide rent relief to eligible tenants will be created, with further details to be confirmed in due course.
Tenants and landlords can contact the Victorian Small Business Commission for further information on 13 87 22 or visit vsbc.vic.gov.au.
A new $85 million fund will be established to support small businesses who have not been eligible under existing business support funds.
Small businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million who have experienced a 70 per cent or greater reduction in revenue will be eligible for grants of up to $5,000.
Alpine Business Support will receive a further $9.8 million to deliver grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 to 430 Alpine-based businesses in recognition of restricted inter and intra-state travel during the peak winter season.
The funding also includes an additional $5 million support to alpine resort operators and management boards.
One-off emergency cash grant to assist businesses during current lockdown:
Eligibility Criteria
Be located within South Australia
Have an annual turnover of $75,000 or more in 2020 21 or 2019 20, and be registered for GST
Employ people in South Australia
Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $10 million in 2019–20
Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
Experienced at least a 30 per cent reduction (compared to the week prior) in turnover due to the restricted trading conditions
For more information at the SA Treasury website.
Government has announced on the 28th of July that any future lockdowns, the payments will be increased to $750 for people who lost more than 20 hours work and $450 if lost between 8 and 20 hours. As well, people on welfare who have lost more than 8 hours of work a week will get a special disaster supplement of $200 a week.
COVID-19 Disaster Payment is available for people in the states currently experiencing lockdowns (NSW, South Australia, and Victoria).
Services Australia is delivering the payment. The easiest way to claim is through the myGov website. Eligible visa holders should call Services Australia on 180 22 66. More information can be found on the Services Australia website.
People who have been subject to lockdown restrictions in a Commonwealth-declared hotspot for the last few weeks are already able to claim the payment.
People in the rest of the state whose paid work has been impacted by the restrictions, are able to apply for the payment from 18th July through myGov.
The Payment is available for the period of the Victorian lockdown. The Payment is available retrospectively from 23rd July.
The Payment will be available for the period of the South Australian lockdown. The Payment will be made available retrospectively from 28th July.
To be eligible for the payment an individual must either:
Live or work in a local government area subject to lockdown in New South Wales, South Australia or Victoria and be unable to work and earn their usual income, OR
Have been in a local government area subject to lockdown in New South Wales, South Australia or Victoria and have now travelled elsewhere and are subject to restrictions in that area and are unable to work and earn their usual income, OR
Live or work anywhere in New South Wales, South Australia or Victoria and are unable to earn their usual income because of the lockdown in other parts of the state.
Unable to work and earn includes being stood down, not being assigned any shifts for the week of restrictions and being unable to work from home.
Sole traders may apply for COVID-19 Disaster Payment if they are unable to operate their business from home.
Individuals must also meet additional criteria, including:
Be an Australia citizen, resident or holder of a visa permitted to work in Australia.
Be at least 17 years old.
Not receiving an income support payment.
Not receiving COVID-19-related paid leave, Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment or state/territory based pandemic payment for individuals or businesses.
Not have access to appropriate paid leave entitlements.
👉 Join MAD Matters for the latest updates, practical guides, resources, tips & tricks + more dropped to your inbox