Michael Ferguson,Minister for Finance
The Tasmanian Government is providing businesses with the certainty and confidence they need as our State continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we look to 2021, a range of initiatives from the 2020-21 State Budget will officially take effect from tomorrow that will help our businesses grow, invest, and employ more Tasmanians.
These initiatives include:
- Extending the current payroll tax rebate for all youth employees for a further 18 months;
- Extending the current payroll tax rebate for apprentices and trainees for a further 12 months;
- Extending both rebates to all industry sectors; and
- Extending the Targeted Apprentice and Trainee Grant for Small Business to any small business who employs an apprentice or trainee until 30 June 2022.
These initiatives will provide for 4000 new apprentices and trainees supported by this Government, which will not only help young people gain employment, but will also create a supply of skilled young people for the future.
Additionally, from tomorrow, businesses can take advantage of four hours of free one-on-one coaching support – double the current amount- through the Government's expansion to the Digital Ready for Business program.
This will ensure small businesses continue to receive tailored and targeted support assistance at no charge, with the expansion of the Program following feedback from the over 700 businesses that accessed the scheme in 2020.
We will continue to do all we can to back our businesses and provide the certainty and confidence they need in 2021 as we continue to bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19.
