SA Government announces more COVID help for businesses
The South Australian State Government announced late last month a further round of support for businesses that have experienced ongoing difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new tranche of support provided for January 2022 essentially amounts to a doubling the support provided for December 2021. For eligible businesses that experienced a significant downturn, applications for the December payments are still open and available through the Treasury SA website.
The amounts available under the Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant – Additional Round – January 2022 are:
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$6,000 for businesses that employ people and have an annual turnover of less than $2 million;
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$20,000 for employing businesses with an annual turnover above $2 million;
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$2,000 for non-employing businesses; and
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An extra $2,000 for eligible businesses in the CBD.
Other eligibility criteria also apply.
'Eligible' tourism and hospitality businesses, gyms, and those that have been otherwise impacted by density restrictions must be able to demonstrate a reduction in turnover of 30% for the period 10th January to 30th January 2022 when compared to an equivalent previous period (usually the same period for 2019-20 year, except those that commenced after this time).
In a rare but welcome example of reducing red-tape, eligible businesses that successfully applied for the same grant covering the December 2021 period won't need to re-apply for the January instalment. Instead they will automatically receive payment for the additional January round. That is, the application process is only required for eligible businesses seeking this grant for the first time.
The Business Hardship Grant announced for December has also been replicated for January, and will likewise be paid automatically to all eligible businesses that received it in December. The required reduction in turnover is 50% in this case, over the equivalent comparable period, and eligible businesses must have a total Australian annual grouped payroll of less than $10 million for 2019-20 or 2020-21. The amounts available are:
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$6,000 for employing businesses;
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$2,000 for non-employing businesses; and
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An additional $2,000 for eligible businesses in the CBD.
Other eligibility criteria also apply
A number of other business support measures were also announced. These include a deferral of payroll tax for the remainder of 2021-22 for tourism, hospitality and gyms/other businesses impacted by COVID-19 density and trading restrictions, and an extension of the Major Events Grant. This latter measure is for organisers of events that have been cancelled or postponed due to density restrictions. The extension now includes events scheduled to be held up to 31st March 2022.
If you have any questions or would like some help in applying for one of these measures, please contact us.
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