On 27 April 2022, the WA Government expanded the small business hardship grants program, making it more easily accessible by reducing the decrease in turnover percentage required. The WA government wants to help as many businesses as possible. There are a total of 14 grants available, which are listed below.
- Small business hardship grants (Expanded Program) Eligibility: To be eligible for the Small Business Hardship Grants, businesses must:
-Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
-Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
-Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000, excluding GST.
-Be able to demonstrate a reduction in turnover for any consecutive two-week period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021*:
- For the 40 per cent tier, a reduction of at least 40 per cent.
- For the 30 per cent tier, a reduction of at least 30 per cent.
Eligible applicants will receive a tiered grant payment, dependent on the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees of the business. For the purpose of this calculation, the business owner is excluded from the FTE calculation. The following grant tiers are available:
|
Number of FTEs
|
New tier
30% decrease
|
Revised tier
40% decrease
|
|
Sole traders (Business owner, no additional employees)
|
$3,750
|
$5,000
|
|
Micro businesses (business owner, plus 1-5 employees)
|
$7,500
|
$10,000
|
|
Small businesses (business owner, plus 6-19 employees)
|
$15,000
|
$20,000
|
|
Medium businesses (business owner, plus 20+ employees)
|
$37,500
|
$50,000
|
Applications close at 4pm AWST on Thursday 30 June 2022
- Tenant Rent Relief Scheme
Small business tenants can apply for rental relief grants of $3,000.
Eligibility: To be eligible for the Rent Relief small business must meet the following criteria:
-Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000.
-Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
-Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
-Be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive time frame between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent 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' financial situation.
-Provide proof of tenancy (lease) in WA (excluding Government tenants).
Applications close at 4pm AWST on Thursday 30 June 2022
Other COVID-19 Business Grants available
- Payroll tax waiver Applications are now open
- Landlord Rent Relief Incentive
- Tenant Rental Credit Scheme (Government tenants)
- Small Business Assistance Grant
Other Hospitality and Event Grants
- Alfresco support package
Small businesses in the hospitality sector may be eligible for up to $5,000 reimbursement of eligible costs associated with creating and expanding an alfresco area to meet the requirements of public health and social measures.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 17 June 2022
- Waiver of Liquor Licensing fees
Liquor licence renewal fees for 2022 will be waived and refunds provided for businesses that have already paid. Fees will be waived for new permit applications or variations to existing permits to enable extended alfresco trading.
One-off fees for variations to liquor licensing to enable alfresco services will also be waived, and fees for a COVID-19 occasional permit will be waived to permit the sale of take-away alcohol as part of a take-away meal.
- Nightclub Assistance Program
The Nightclub Assistance Program will provide payments of up to $50,000 for eligible nightclubs impacted by capacity limits and social distancing.
Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 30 June 2022
- Independent Performing Arts, Theatres and Cinemas Assistance Program
This program will provide payments of up to $50,000 to provide cash flow assistance to a range of larger, indoor entertainment venues that are particularly affected by capacity constraints.
Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 30 June 2022
- Event Suppliers Support Program
The Event Suppliers Support Program will provide payments of up to $50,000 for eligible event suppliers impacted by delay to full border reopening of the Western Australian border or capacity constraints introduced to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Payments will be based on the size of the event supplier business.
Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 30 June 2022
- City Events Grants Program
A $4 million event grants program will offer funding of up to $100,000 for eligible businesses, property owners and not-for-profits to run a wide range of events in city venues
Safe Transition Industry Support package
On 10 February 2022, the Premier announced a $77 million support package to provide financial assistance to small and medium sized businesses in the following industries:
- International Education
- Tourism
- Aviation
- Event suppliers
School Camp providers
This program provides financial support to third-party camp providers who have experienced financial loss as a result of cancellations of school camps from public, private and independent schools. It is administered by the Department of Education.
For more information, visit https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/coronavirus/grants
If you would like us to analyse if your business meets the eligibility criteria, please get in touch.