Small businesses throughout Western Australia will soon be able to apply for a $3,000 grant to provide cash flow support to assist with some of the costs incurred as a direct result of the recent four-day lockdown.
A new round of the Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants program is being opened to provide some support to small businesses that incurred direct costs or lost more than 30 per cent of revenues due to the restrictions.
The one-off grants are for the lockdown between June 29, 2021 and July 2, 2021 and the associated restriction period from July 3, 2021 to July 6, 2021. The program is also available to eligible small businesses in regional Western Australia that were most likely to have been impacted during this period.
The State Government has committed $41.5 million for the new grants, which are open to eligible businesses that have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million and are registered for GST purposes.
More than 15,400 businesses in Perth and Peel and 2,300 businesses in regional WA could be eligible for the program - including hospitality, catering, fitness, hair and beauty, and creative and performing arts, among others.
Businesses must be able to prove losses incurred for perishable goods, cancellations or other unforeseen costs or demonstrate at least a 30 per cent reduction in revenues as a result of the lockdown.
Small businesses can apply from July 19 online at https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au with grant payments expected to commence by the end of the month.
The grants add to the more than $1.3 billion of assistance the McGowan Government has provided to Western Australian businesses - which has included electricity bill relief, payroll tax and business licence fee waivers, grants and other industry specific measures.
The Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants for the Anzac Day weekend lockdown received 10,653 applications by the closing date of June 30, 2021.
To date, 7,000 applications have been approved with more than $13 million already paid. All remaining applications for this round are expected to be processed in the coming weeks.
For the full list of eligible businesses, including those in regional WA, visit the Small Business Development Corporation website.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The State Government's management of COVID-19 has kept Western Australians safe and resulted in WA having one of the strongest economies in the world.
"There is no doubt that the strong and necessary restrictions introduced to protect Western Australians during lockdown have required some small businesses to make significant sacrifices.
"In recognition of these sacrifices, the State Government will provide $3,000 grants to deliver cash flow support to eligible small businesses impacted by the recent four-day lockdown and interim restrictions.
"I have also written to the Prime Minister to request workers in the Perth and Peel regions receive the Australian Government COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
"Through that program, workers in Perth and Peel could be eligible for up to $500, which would be of great assistance to many who lost hours during the four-day lockdown and don't have leave entitlements.
"I'd like to again thank the business sector and all Western Australians for playing their part to keep WA one of the safest places on the planet."
As stated by Small Business Minister Reece Whitby:
"The McGowan Government recognises this four-day lockdown had an impact beyond Perth and Peel - with some regional businesses losing trade just as they were heading into the busy school holiday period.
"Expanding the grants program into regional Western Australia will provide a helping hand for eligible businesses outside Perth and Peel who lost bookings as a result of the lockdown.
"The restrictions, while difficult, were necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 and avoid a longer lockdown which would have had a devastating impact on the economy.
"The COVID-19 threat is constantly evolving and I would like to thank small businesses right across the State for their understanding as we tackle the challenges, together."
