Federal and State Governments are supporting businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees. There is support available for sole traders, employers and companies. For the building and construction industry the measures include the following.
6/2/22 - Federal government to make rapid antigen tests tax-deductible for individuals and exempt from fringe benefit tax (FBT) for businesses when they are purchased for work-related purposes. The legislation will be in effect from the 2021-22 income years and will be backdated to July 1, 2021. Read media release here.
30/1/22 - $1bn support package for Omicron - The NSW government has announced a $1 billion support package for businesses hit by the economic impact of the Omicron wave. As part of that, the small business fees and charges rebate will increase from $2000 to $3000 in March 2022. Eligible employing businesses will be able to use the rebate to cover half the cost of of rapid antigen tests (RATs). View full Media Release here.
8/01/22 - Changes to Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments. As of Tuesday January 18, people who have lost at least one day of work after testing positive or are caring for someone with COVID19 will be eligible for up to $750. The changes will also allow RAT results to be accepted in addition to PCR results.
30/9/21 - JOBSAVER extension to boost business recovery (NSW) - Treasurer Dominic Perrottet says the NSW Government will go it alone to fund an extension of the JobSaver program to help NSW businesses re-open their doors and get people back in to jobs as the State starts to ease restrictions and enjoy greater freedoms. Read more
2/9/21 - COVID-19 economic support measures extended - The NSW Government has announced an additional $3.9 billion in funding, including $1.5 billion from the Commonwealth, as part of its COVID-19 economic support package. The additional funding will extend the JobSaver program and micro-business grants and continue rent relief incentives. Additional relief for businesses will also be provided with further reductions in payroll tax. Eligible businesses will also be able to defer their payroll tax payments, due from July 2021 through to December 2021, until January 14, 2022, with 12-month interest-free repayment plans to be available.
14/8/21 - Test and Isolate support payment. If you need to self-isolate and are unable to work while waiting for your coronavirus (COVID-19) test result, you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Test and Isolate support payment of $320.
21/7/21 - Support for the Construction Industry summary sheet (PDF) The NSW Government has put together a summary sheet of supports for small to medium businesses in the construction industry. To download in other languages, click here.
19/7/21 COVID-19 business grant: if you’re a business or sole trader impacted by the current Greater Sydney COVID-19 restrictions, you may be able to apply for a grant of up to $15,000.
13/7/21 COVID support package extended to businesses and regional NSW with a boost for employees. The Commonwealth and NSW government have announced a new combined support package that will boost payments for businesses, employees and expand eligiblity to regional NSW.
13/7/21 COVID-19 Fighting Fund was announced today. It is a comprehensive economic support package worth billions of dollars aimed at helping businesses and people right across NSW fight through the current COVID-19 lockdown.
8/7/21 Australian Banking Association package for customers affected by continuing COVID-19 lockdowns
3/7/21 COVID-19 Disaster Payment is a payment to support workers who are unable to work due to a state or territory public health order that imposes restrictions on movement such as a lockdown.
2/7/21 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (PLDP) is a lump sum payment of $1,500 to provide financial support to individuals who cannot work and earn an income because they are directed to self-isolate or quarantine as a result of COVID-19.
29/6/21 NSW COVID-19 support package with grants of between $5000 and $10,000 for small businesses, payroll tax deferrals for all employers
Previous support packages
JobKeeper payment is open to employers to enable them to pay their eligible employee’s salary or wages of $1,500 per fortnight.
$10,000 grants for businesses with 1-19 employees and a turnover of more than $75,000
Cash flow boost for employers between $20,000 and $100,000 as a tax office credit.
50 percent subsidy for wages paid to apprentices (including those working through a Group Training Organisation)
Instant asset write-off up to $150,000 for both new and second-hand assets
Accelerated depreciation deduction arrangements for businesses with aggregated turnover of less than $500 million
Relief for certain tax obligations on a case-by-case basis
Government guarantee of unsecured loans to businesses with a turnover up to $50 million
Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will tailor solutions for owners or directors of businesses that are currently struggling due to the coronavirus, including temporary reduction of payments or deferrals, or withholding enforcement actions including Director Penalty Notices and wind-ups.
NSW Government Support Measures
- Payroll tax waived for businesses with payrolls of up to $10 million for 3 months (the rest of 2019-20). Businesses will save a quarter of their annual payroll tax bill in 2019-20.
- $56 million to bring forward the next round of payroll tax cuts by raising the threshold limit to $1 million in 2020-21.
- $80 million to waive a range of fees and charges for small businesses including builders and tradies
- More than $250 million to bring forward maintenance on public assets including social housing and crown land fencing. $500 million to bring forward capital works and maintenance.
- NSW Government has amended the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to ensure that any development that protects the health, welfare and safety of the community during the pandemic can proceed without the normal development approvals.
- Long Service leave rules have been amended to allow employees to take leave in shorter blocks without the traditional one-month notice period, by agreement with their employer for the until September 2020.