The Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package has expanded to provide more support for local businesses.
Support for small businesses affected by public health and safety measures will be delivered sooner than expected, with eligibility criteria updated
The Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package has been announced for businesses most impacted by Level 2 public health and social measures.
The assistance includes a $66.8 million Small Business Hardship Grants Program, $2.8 million of payroll tax relief for large hospitality businesses, and $2.1 million for a COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program.
The Small Business Hardship Grants Program will provide tiered grants to businesses that have a 50 per cent or greater reduction in turnover for any four week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022, relative to the same period last year. This will include:
- $3,000 grant for sole traders (no employees);
- $7,500 grant for micro businesses (those with one to five employees);
- $20,000 grant for small businesses (those with six to 19 employees); and
- $50,000 for medium-sized businesses (those with 20 or more employees and with an annual payroll of up to $4 million).
This program will provide support to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria, including the hospitality, arts and events industries.
Eligible businesses that apply and receive funding from other recent business support programs, including the Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package, are also eligible to receive grants from the Level 2 package. Visit the Small Business Development Corporation website (external) for more information.
Large hospitality businesses with payrolls of between $4 million and $20 million will receive a three month payroll tax waiver if they have experienced at least a 50 per cent drop in turnover over any four week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022, comparable to the same period last year.
The $2.1 million COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program includes up to a $35,000 rebate per game for venue hire costs until 30 June 2022, for commercial sporting franchises, such as the Perth Glory, Perth Wildcats, Perth Lynx and the Western Force. Please note, this scheme is administered by VenuesWest and eligible franchises have been contacted.
This program also includes the waiver of public transport charges for home games for these teams in March, and a 50 per cent concession on public transport costs for events in April.
This waiver of public transport charges will also benefit a number of upcoming live music events.
