Small businesses and non-profit organisations
The NSW Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant of up to $10,000 is available to eligible NSW small business owners and non-profit organisations. The application form is now live, as of Tuesday April 14, 2020.
Small businesses highly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak
This grant supports the ongoing operations of small businesses highly impacted from the COVID-19 pandemic following the NSW Public Health Order of 31 March 2020. Funds may only be used for unavoidable business expenses that are not supported by other government funding. These expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Utilities
- Council rates
- Telecommunication charges
- Insurance payments
- Professional advice
- Wages for an employee not eligible for JobKeeper payments
- Franchise fees
- Paying creditors, if your business is closing
If you need to apply for the grant, please use the online form on the Service NSW website.
Businesses please note: You will not be able to save and resume your application, therefore you should be prepared with the required documentation, including proof of identification, before launching the online form.
Is your small business eligible for the Covid-19 Support Grant?
To be eligible for this grant, you must:
- Be based in NSW
- Be a small business (see guidelines)
- Be registered with an ABN as at 1 March 2020
- Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (a Business Activity Statement 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 2019-2020 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 employ 1-19 full-time workers as at 1 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 the subject of other NSW and Commonwealth Government financial assistance measures
If your business is not in one of the highly impacted industries (as listed in the guidelines) but you can demonstrate a significant disruption to your business resulting in a 75% reduction in turnover as a result of the Public Health Order 2020, you may be eligible for this grant. You will require a letter from your accountant confirming you meet a number of criteria (refer to the guidelines).
If you are a sole trader and you do not employ staff, you are not eligible for this assistance. Please visit our information on JobSeeker payments.
How to apply for the Support Grant
What you need:
- A MyServiceNSW Account
- Your proof of identity
- Your valid ABN/ACN number
- Your business banking details for payment
- Latest Business Activity Statement (BAS)
In addition, you will need to provide a declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria, including at least a 75% decline in turnover compared to the same 2-week period in 2019.
Auditing requirements
Following receipt of funds, eligible applicants may be required to demonstrate the decline in turnover was a result of COVID-19. Evidence could be in the form of, but not limited to:
- Letter from your business accountant
- Proof of reduced customer numbers
- Proof of changes to business operations due to implementation of social distancing rules
- Proof of increased costs associated with public health protection measures
You may be audited in the future, so you will need to keep all documentary evidence related to your application, and assistance provided under the scheme, for a minimum of 5 years.
As part of an audit, you may be required to provide evidence (for example, official receipts) that you have used funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of this grant.
It is a criminal offence to deliberately provide false information. Applicants who receive funds for which they are ineligible will be subject to recovery by Revenue NSW.