COVID-19 :: Federal & State Government Support
Last Updated: 15/3/2022
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain it have the potential to significantly impact your business. To assist we have created this web hub page to provide access to information updates and useful resources for your business.
Both the Australia Commonwealth Government and State Governments are releasing support measures designed to provide financial relief to businesses and households. The situation is very fluid and it is important that you open and read all of the communications that we send out to you so you can stay informed.
We are encouraging you to gather information, develop a documented plan for your farm business using the tools that are available, and clearly communicate that plan to your staff, customers and supply chain partners.
COVID-19 :: Federal Government Support
Main Resource Pages
Commonwealth Government – https://www.australia.gov.au/
Treasury – the Economic Response – https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present new challenges and the Government’s economic support continues to evolve.
The 2021-22 Budget committed an additional $41 billion in direct economic support, bringing total support since the beginning of the pandemic to $291 billion as of May 2021.
Building on that support, the Government is working with states and territories to provide further financial assistance to workers and businesses affected by lockdowns and restrictions in COVID-19 hotspots.
Links to each state response can be found HERE
COVID-19 :: WA Government Support
Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package to support Western Australian businesses
The Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package has been announced for businesses most impacted by Level 2 public health and social measures.
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 Small Business Hardship Grants Program will provide tiered grants to businesses that have a 50 per cent or greater reduction in turnover for any four week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022, relative to the same period last year. This will include:
- $3,000 grant for sole traders (no employees);
- $7,500 grant for micro businesses (those with one to five employees);
- $20,000 grant for small businesses (those with six to 19 employees); and
- $50,000 for medium-sized businesses (those with 20 or more employees and with an annual payroll of up to $4 million).
This program will provide support to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria, including the hospitality, arts and events industries.
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.
Large hospitality businesses with payrolls of between $4 million and $20 million will receive a three month payroll tax waiver if they have experienced at least a 50 per cent drop in turnover over any four week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022, comparable to the same period last year.
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, for commercial sporting franchises, such as the Perth Glory, Perth Wildcats, Perth Lynx and the Western Force.
This program also includes the waiver of public transport charges for home games for these teams in March, and a 50 per cent concession on public transport costs for events in April.
This waiver of public transport charges will also benefit a number of upcoming live music events.
Visit the Small Business Development Corporation website (external) for more information.
Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package
A $67 million COVID-19 Business Assistance Package will support businesses adversely affected by increasing cases and the necessary implementation of Level 1 public health and social measures.
This package, which includes eight tailored programs, is in addition to the recently announced $77 million Safe Transition Support Package.
The Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package includes:
Small Business Rental Relief Package
- $42 million Tenant Rent Relief Scheme providing grants of $3,000 to eligible small business tenants;
- $10.7 million Landlord Rent Relief Incentive supporting eligible landlords with $1,500 – who voluntary match the Government’s Tenant Rent Relief payments; and
- $1.5 million Tenant Rental Credit Scheme providing a rental waiver or credit of $6,000 for eligible small business tenants of Government-owned buildings.
Outdoor Dining and Entertainment Support Package
- $5 million Alfresco Support Program to reimburse small businesses in the hospitality sector with up to $5,000 for eligible costs associated with creating and expanding an alfresco area to meet the requirements of public health and social measures;
- $3.5 million Waiver of Liquor Licencing fees. Liquor licence renewal fees for 2022 will be waived and refunds provided for businesses that have already paid. One-off fees for variations to liquor licencing to enable alfresco services will also be waived, and fees for a COVID-19 occasional permit will be waived to permit the sale of take-away alcohol as part of a take-away meal;
- $1.8 million Nightclub Assistance Program payments of up to $50,000 for eligible nightclubs impacted by capacity limits and social distancing; and
- $1.3 million Performing Arts, Theatres and Cinemas Assistance Program, providing payments of up to $50,000 to provide cash flow assistance to a range of larger, indoor entertainment venues that are particularly affected by capacity constraints.
Other business support
- $1 million Small Business Financial Counselling and Advisory Services funding to expand small business support services administered by the Department of Communities.
More information:
- COVID-19 Business Assistance Package
- Visit the Small Business Development Corporation website (external) for more information.
COVID-19 :: VIC Government Support
Seasonal Workers Support Package
The $17 million Seasonal Workforce Support Package is helping address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are also tens of thousands of jobseekers ready to work on the Victorian Government’s Jobs Victoria online hub. If you are a farmer or other employer in the agriculture sector, register your workforce needs now on the hub.
Information and details on how to register for seasonal workforce support is available via the Big Victorian Harvest.
COVID-19 :: Accessing Assistance with Exports
The International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) is a temporary, targeted, emergency support measure put in place by the Australian Government to keep global air links open in response to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 27 August 2021, the Australian Government announced a further $260.9 million in funding to extend IFAM to mid-2022, giving Australian businesses reliant on airfreight extra time to adapt to the new international trade environment.
IFAM maintains global air connections and protects hard fought market share, while targeting support where it is needed most and buying Australian businesses time to align their operating models to ‘new-look’ supply chains.
