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In these trying times, the NSW government is supporting small businesses in NSW with a couple of targeted grants, such as:

• $500 to $3,000 cash grant for eligible expenses to assist NSW businesses that have experienced significant decline in turnover; and
• Up to $500 cash rebate for businesses that have implemented an “eligible safety solution” as recognised by SafeWork NSW.

Below are further details on the grants and information on how to apply.

Small business COVID-19 recovery grant (NSW)

If your small business has experienced a decline in turnover as a result of COVID-19, you may be eligible for a small business recovery grant of between $500 and $3000.

This grant helps small businesses meet the costs of safely reopening or up-scaling operations. Examples of eligible expenses include:

• fit-out changes and temporary physical changes (for example, plastic barriers at checkouts)
• staff training and counselling
• business advice and continuity planning
• cleaning products and additional cleaning services
• additional equipment necessary to comply with social distancing or other public health measures
• marketing, communications and advertising
• digital solutions (for example, e-commerce or business websites).

This grant can only be used for purchases of eligible expenses made from 1 July 2020, and only where no other government support is available.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this grant, you must as at 1 March 2020:

• be a small business based in NSW 
• have an ABN registered in NSW (make sure all your business details are up to date on the Australian Business Register - this is used to determine eligibility)
• 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 less than 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff (non-employing businesses can apply)
• be able to report a payroll below the NSW 2019-2020 payroll tax threshold of $900,000
• be in a highly impacted industry by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 (see guidelines)
• have experienced at least 30% decline in turnover from March to July 2020 compared to the equivalent period (of at least 2 weeks) in 2019
• have costs associated with safely reopening or up-scaling your business from 1 July 2020.

How to apply

Before applying, please ensure that your business is eligible to receive the grant. Applications can be made directly online at this link.

$500 small business rebate – SafeWork NSW

The rebate provides up to $500 to small business owners and sole traders in NSW who buy and install equipment to make their workplace safer.

Eligibility criteria

• you are the owner of a small business or sole trader who employs less than 50 people (equivalent full time)
• you haven’t previously received a small business rebate from SafeWork or WorkCover NSW
• you’re conducting a commercial business producing goods or providing services in NSW
• your business is registered in NSW and comes within the scope of the work health and safety legislation in NSW

To claim the rebate

1. Engage with SafeWork NSW by attending an online webinar, arranging a free advisory visit from a SafeWork NSW officer, or joining an eligible event
2. Identify hazards in the workplace that require attention
3. Purchase an eligible safety item, such as:
   * Portable hand sanitiser stations
   * Fixed hand sanitiser stations
   * Fixed disinfectant wipes dispenser
   * Safety signs for COVID-19 workplace arrangements e.g. fixed hand sanitiser  stations and disinfectant wipes stations
   * Bins with hands free lid operation (foot pedal or sensor)
   * Sneeze/cough guards
   * Roller cleaning buckets
   Chemical storage
4. Within 12 months of attending an eligible event, claim the rebate of up to $500 online at this link.

Before applying, please ensure that your business is eligible to receive the grant.

We fully understand that the quantity of information regarding special COVID-19 relief measures can be overwhelming. WLM is here to help. If you have any questions or need support, please contact us.

To find out more about WLM Financial Services, click here.