A new jointly-funded package from the Commonwealth and SA Governments will give local small and medium businesses impacted by ongoing density and other trading restrictions further financial support as they continue to recover from the recent lockdown.
The new South Australian COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant - will deliver about an extra $40 million in support to an estimated 19,000 local businesses in eligible industries – such as hospitality, performing art venues, artists and performers, tourism, gyms, and transport.
The package will be split on a 50/50 basis between the Commonwealth and the South Australian Governments, with the state government to administer the program.
The new package includes:
- $3,000 cash grants for employing businesses and $1,000 for non-employing businesses (eg sole traders) in eligible industry sectors that have experienced a decline in turnover of 30 per cent or more over a two-week period as a result of the COVID-19 trading restrictions introduced from July 28, 2021
- An additional CBD grant of $1,000 will be available for eligible businesses (both employing and non-employing) with a commercial premise in the Adelaide CBD (postcode 5000), in recognition of the increased impact on city businesses as a result of people working from home.
In addition, a new Major Events Support Grant of up to $25,000 for eligible events that were either cancelled, or suffered a significant financial loss, as a result of having to be cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 lock down in July or further restrictions to 4 August will be funded by the South Australian Government.
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth and South Australian governments would continue to do what is necessary to support South Australian businesses deal with the evolving challenges of COVID-19.
"We are stepping up to provide more support to South Australian businesses that have been impacted by on-going COVID-19 restrictions that are keeping the state safe," the Prime Minister said.
"Already we have provided more than $40 million to South Australian workers through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment and now we are ramping up our business payments."
"We need to protect jobs and support South Australian businesses to get through this difficult time so they can help drive our economic recovery as we plan our way out of this pandemic."
"Our support has never been set and forget and we will continue to work with the Marshall Government to ensure our funding reaches those small and medium businesses that need it."
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the additional supports were part of a robust and agile plan to keep our community safe and our economy strong amidst the COVID-19 threat.
"South Australia has recently been recognised as the most liveable state in the nation and our COVID recovery plan is focussed on standing shoulder-to-shoulder with small businesses as we navigate our way out of the global pandemic," Premier Marshall said.
"South Australians have done an incredible job of working together and now is the time to continue to pull together to support our hardworking small businesses who are the backbone of the state's economy."
The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Morrison Government supported South Australians during the crisis and will continue to support them to the end of this crisis.
"The Morrison Government recognises that despite the lockdown having ended, ongoing health restrictions continue to have a significant impact on businesses right across the state," the Treasurer said.
"We will continue to work with the Marshall Government to ensure the South Australian economy bounces back from its most recent lockdown."
"Since the start of the pandemic the Morrison Government has delivered more than $9.4 billion to South Australian families and businesses to support them in their time of need."
South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas said the Marshall Liberal Government was doing everything in its power to save as many businesses and local jobs as possible.
"We recognise the significant impact the ongoing restrictions are having on businesses throughout the state, but particularly those in the Adelaide CBD and in certain industry sectors such as hospitality, tourism and events," said Treasurer Lucas.
"This new support package will provide extra cash grants for those businesses that continue to do it tough, to help them cover operating costs such as rent, wages and utilities and help them continue to trade through this period. Our support package is modelled on the Victorian Government model targeted at eligible businesses in identified ANZSIC industry classes.
"The new jointly funded support is in addition to the $100 million Business Support Package, announced during the state's recent 7-day lockdown.
"Already more than $26 million in cash grants has been paid to 9036 businesses through this package – from bakeries, butchers and hairdressers to beauty salons, gyms and automotive repairers - as we work to get the money out the door and into the pockets of hardworking businesses as quickly as possible."
Under the combined packages, an eligible CBD business that employs staff, including a pub, café or restaurant, would receive $7,000 in cash grants ($3,000 + $3,000 + $1,000 CBD grant) to support their ongoing COVID recovery.
Applications will open August 13 and will close on 17 October 2021.
