WA Government Covid-19 Grant Applications

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The Western Australian Government has announced a range of targeted Small Business Grants to assist small businesses that were directly financially impacted by the Chief Health Officer’s COVID Restrictions (Directions). The information contained below is correct as at 23 March 2022.

Small Business Hardship Grant

The WA Government will provide businesses that have experienced a 50 per cent or greater reduction in turnover for any consecutive four-week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022 relative to the same period in 2021.

Eligible businesses will receive:
• $3,000 for sole traders (no employees)
• $7,500 for businesses with one to five employees
• $20,000 for businesses with six to 19 employees
• $50,000 for businesses with 20 or more employees and with an annual payroll of up to $4 million.

Hospitality businesses with an annual payroll of between $4 million to $20 million will receive a three-month payroll tax waiver. Such businesses must have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 50 per cent for any four-week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022 relative to the same period in 2021.

An alternative period in 2021 may be used if the business did not operate at that time or it provides an inaccurate representation of the business’s financial situation. Applications will close 30 June 2022.

Small Business Rental Relief Package [updated]

The WA Government will provide commercial tenants grants of up to $3000 where they:
• have an annual turnover of more than $50,000 and an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million, and
• be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent or higher reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021.

The WA Government will also provide commercial landlords who voluntary match the Government’s $3000 Tenant Rent Relief payment with a $1500 incentive payment. Eligibility criteria include:
the landlord provides rent relief of $3000 to small business tenants that:

  • experience a 30 per cent or higher reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021;
  • have a tenanted premises in WA.
  • An alternative period in 2021 may be used if the business did not operate at that time or it provides an inaccurate representation of the business’ financial situation.

 

Applications close 30 June 2022. Find out more here.

Outdoor Dining and Entertainment Support Package

The WA Government will provide the following assistance to the hospitality sector:
• Alfresco Support Program to reimburse small businesses in the hospitality sector up to $5000 for eligible costs associated with creating and expanding an alfresco area
• 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
• Nightclub Assistance Program payments of up to $50,000 for eligible nightclubs impacted by capacity limits and social distancing
• Performing Arts, Theatres and Cinemas Assistance Program, providing payments of up to $50,000 to a range of larger, indoor entertainment venues that are particularly affected by capacity constraints.

Applications open soon.

Small Business Assistance Grant

Some small businesses directly impacted by public health measures from 23 December 2021 to 4 January 2022 can apply for a grant of up to $12,500 for employing businesses ($1130 for each impacted day). Eligible sole traders will receive up to $4,400 ($400 for each impacted day). The grant payment will be based upon the number of days that a business was impacted during the above period.

To be eligible, the business must be located within the Perth, Peel or Rottnest regions, have an annual turnover of more than $50,000 and have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million in the 2020-21 financial year. The business must also be able to demonstrate a reduction in turnover of at least 30 per cent compared to the same period in the prior year and that the decline is directly linked to the restricted trading conditions.

Importantly, the grant is restricted to businesses in the hospitality sector, the music events industry or the creative and performing arts sectors. Nightclubs forced to close will be eligible for a $20,000 grant.

Applications close 31 March 2022. Find out more here.

Safe Transition Industry Support

The WA Government has announced nine support programs for the international education, tourism, aviation and events sectors.
It includes:
• grants of $50,000 and $100,000 to assist eligible small and medium-sized education providers impacted by the closure of international borders. Find out more here.
• payments of $10,000 to sole traders and $20,000 to employing tourism businesses to offset expenses incurred preparing for the delayed full border opening of 5 February. Applications close 31 March 2022. Find out more here.
• assistance of up to $50,000 to eligible tourism businesses that have refunded deposits from some cancelled interstate and international bookings. Applications close 31 March 2022. Find out more here.
• grants of up to $10,000 for eligible home-based travel agent businesses and $20,000 for other eligible travel agent businesses. Find out more here.
• payments to eligible event suppliers for ticketed events with $10,000 grants for sole traders, $20,000 for small businesses and $50,000 for large businesses with pre-COVID annual turnover of more than $1 million. Applications close 30 June 2022. Find out more here.

If you need help navigating the grant application process, please contact us here.