Small Business Grants

To be eligible for this grant, you must:

• be based in NSW
• be a small business
• be registered with an ABN as at 1 March 2020
• Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (a BAS must be provided as evidence)

Where a small business does not submit a BAS to the Australian Tax Office, and meets all other criteria, the small business should contact Service NSW to discuss further. In these cases, an income tax declaration may be accepted as evidence of an annual turnover of $75,000.

• employ 1 – 19 full-time workers as at 1 March 2020
• be able to report a payroll below the NSW 2019/20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000
• have been highly impacted by Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 effective on 31 March 2020
• Have experienced at least 75% decline in turnover compared to the same two-week period in 2019, as a result of COVID-19 (for businesses that have been in operation for less than 12 months, refer to the guidelines)
• Have unavoidable business costs not otherwise subject of other NSW and Commonwealth Government financial assistance measures.

Many small businesses in various sectors have been the most impacted by NSW Government directions to either close their premises or significantly change how they operate to help contain the spread of COVID-19 through the community. We expect that a number of small businesses in the retail trade, accommodation and food services, rental hiring and real estate services, administration and support services, arts and recreations sectors will be among the applicants.

Small businesses will need to demonstrate how they have been impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gatherings and Movement) Order 2020 issued on 30 March 2020 and that they have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 75% compared to the equivalent period (of at least 2 weeks) in 2019.

As long as the eligibility criteria is met, the business can apply for the grant. The Small Business Support Fund will provide funding to small businesses that have between 1-19 employees with a minimum annual turnover of $75,000.

Small businesses will be able to apply online through Service NSW. Apart from meeting the criteria on impacts the small business will need to provide a Business Activity Statement, or bank statement and other supporting documents when they lodge their application. Small businesses receiving the grant will also need to retain receipts and tax invoices for up to 5 years to demonstrate that they have used their grant in line with the Fund rules and may be subject to a further audit. 

Yes. Small businesses receiving a grant under this program may also be eligible to apply for the JobKeeper Payments. This program is designed to complement other Commonwealth and State schemes with targeted assistance to the most highly impacted small businesses. 

Yes, if they meet the eligibility criteria of both grant schemes. If a business has been significantly impacted bu bushfires and is now highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, then of course they are eligible for both grants.