NSW Covid-19 Economic Support Packages

On 13 July 2021, the NSW and Federal Governments announced their COVID-19 economic support package. Outlined below is a summary of the key economic support measures being offered to eligible individuals and businesses within NSW. Note that further reference should be made to the relevant administering body to determine the full eligibility criteria.

1. NSW 2021 business grant
Amongst other eligibility criteria, NSW businesses (including sole traders and not-for-profit organisations) with a turnover of more than $75,000 and up to $50 million, that have a total annual wages bill of below $10 million can claim grants between $7,500 and $15,000 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions (depending on the decline in turnover experienced).

2. Saving Jobs – NSW small and medium business support payments
Eligible NSW businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million* with at least a 30% reduction in turnover (compared to an equivalent two-week period in 2019)
will be entitled to business support payments from week four of the NSW lockdown. Eligible entities will receive 40% of their NSW payroll payments, at a minimum of $1,500 and a
maximum of $10,000* per week throughout the relevant period.

To receive the payment, entities will be required to maintain their applicable staffing level as of 13 July 2021. For non-employing businesses the payment will be set at $1,000 per week.
*Editor: On 28 July 2021, it was announced this measure would be expanded so that eligible entities could receive payments of between $1,500 and $100,000 per week, with the
maximum turnover threshold increased from $50 million to $250 million (to be applicable from the start of the program). Ref: Joint media release of the Prime Minister and Treasurer,
NSW business support package expansion, 28 July 2021

3. Micro business grants
Eligible ‘micro businesses’ (including sole traders) with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 that have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 30% will be eligible for
payments of $1,500 per fortnight of restrictions from late July 2021.

4. NSW Payroll Concessions – administered by Revenue NSW at revenue.nsw.gov.au. NSW payroll tax concessions include payroll tax waivers of 25% for businesses with grouped
Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30% decline in turnover as well as payment deferrals and interest-free repayments.

5. NSW Land tax concessions – administered by Revenue NSW at revenue.nsw.gov.au.
NSW Land tax relief concessions include land tax relief equal to the value of rent reductions provided by commercial, retail and residential landlords to financially distressed tenants is
available for up to 100% of the 2021 NSW land tax year liability. Additionally a capped grant up to $1,500 will be made available for residential landlords who are not liable to pay land tax
who reduce rent for tenants.

6. Short-term eviction moratorium and other tenant safeguards
The NSW Government will introduce a short-term eviction moratorium for rental arrears where a residential tenant suffers loss of income of at least 25% due to COVID-19 and meets
other eligibility criteria. In addition, it will restrict recovery of security bonds, lockouts or evictions of impacted retail and commercial tenants prior to mediation.

7. Targeted industry support
Other targeted industry support measures include:
• The deferral of gaming tax assessments for clubs until 21 December 2021 and hotels until 21 January 2022.
• $75 million package for the performing arts sector (administered by Create NSW).
• $26 million package for the accommodation sector.

8. COVID-19 Disaster Payment – support for individuals
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment was made applicable to all Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspots. As a result, it applied in response to the July NSW lockdown announcement.

Furthermore, from week four of the NSW lockdown, the payment was increased:
• from $500 to $600* each week if a person has lost 20 hrs or more of work a week; or
• from $325 to $375* each week if a person has lost between 8 and less than 20 hrs.

From 18 July 2021, this payment was made available to eligible NSW residents outside Commonwealth-declared hotspots (funded directly by the NSW Government).

Ref: Joint Media Release of the NSW Premier and Treasurer, COVID-19 fighting fund to protect businesses, save jobs and support NSW through lockdown, 13 July 2021 and the Joint Media Statement of the Prime Minister and Treasurer, NSW COVID-19 support package, 13 July 2021.

*Editor: On 28 July 2021, it was announced that for payments processed week commencing 2 August 2021 the $600 weekly payment is to be increased to $750 per week, and the $375 weekly payment increased to $450. Ref: Joint media statement, COVID-19 Disaster Support Payment Boosted, 28 July 2021