STATE AND TERRITORY SUPPORT FOR CORONAVIRUS

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

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A Public Health Emergency has been declared in the ACT in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

NEW SOUTH WALES

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The NSW Government has announced a $2.3 billion health boost and economic stimulus package to protect the community and help protect jobs in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. The package has two key components. Key elements include the following:

Business support and jobs

• $450 million for the waiver of payroll tax for businesses with payrolls of up to $10 million for three months (the rest of 2019-20). This means these businesses will save a quarter of their annual payroll tax bill in 2019-20.
• $56 million to bring forward the next round of payroll tax cuts by raising the threshold limit to $1 million in 2020-21.
• $80 million to waive a range of fees and charges for small businesses including bars, cafes, restaurants and tradies.
• $250 million to employ additional cleaners of public infrastructure such as transport assets, schools and other public buildings.
• More than $250 million to bring forward maintenance on public assets including social housing and crown land fencing.
• $500 million to bring forward capital works and maintenance.

Health boost

• In addition, there is a $700 million extra funding for NSW Health. This will assist in doubling intensive care unit capacity, preparing for additional coronavirus testing, purchasing additional ventilators and medical equipment, establishing acute respiratory clinics and bringing forward elective surgeries to private hospitals.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

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Tourism Resilience Plan

The Northern Territory Government is working to deliver a $2 million Tourism Resilience Plan that will help minimise the impacts of the Australian bushfires and coronavirus on the Territory’s tourism industry and the communities it supports.

Jobs Rescue and Recovery Plan

The Northern Territory Government announced a $65 million Jobs Rescue & Recovery Plan which is about keeping shops open, cash flowing and Territorians working. The $20 million Business Improvement Scheme works by:

• Providing all eligible businesses with $10,000;
• If the recipient also wants to put in their own $10,000, they will then get an additional $10,000 from the Government, creating a $30,000 value;
• The upgrades and purchases have to be from another Territory business. This could include buying new equipment, new shop fit-outs and physical changes to attract customers.

Find out more here. 

Existing programs

The Northern Territory Government also has a range of programs that support local businesses, including those impacted by coronavirus.

• The Department of Trade, Business and Innovation’s Small Business Champions team are on the ground to meet with businesses and provide support as required. Contact the Small Business Champions team on 1800 193 111.
• The Business Enterprise Centre NT assists businesses in developing sound business strategies to meet their business needs. Practical business advice is provided for free and covers business planning, strategic market development, technology adoption and enhancement, financial management practices, human resource management and business health diagnostics. Contact the Business Enterprise Centre on 1800 229 500.

QUEENSLAND

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Recovery package

The Queensland Government announced a $27.5 million package in February 2020 which included:

• $7 million for international marketing
• $4.8 million for Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the Gold Coast
• Waiving of liquor licencing fees
• Deferment of tourism lease payments

Find out more here.

Loans for small businesses

On 17 March, the Queensland Government also announced a $500 million scheme for interest free loans of up to $250,000 for small businesses. Find out more here.

Support for the Arts

On 18 March, the Queensland Government announced support for small to medium sized Arts organisations through funding extensions, changes to funding application timeframes and rent relief for tenants based in Queensland Government Arts infrastructure. Find out more here. 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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The South Australian Government has announced a $350 million package focused on driving the economy and securing jobs through work-ready major infrastructure maintenance projects, including road and hospital upgrades as well as tourism infrastructure. This will complement the suite of federally funded initiatives. 

TASMANIA

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The Tasmanian Government has announced a number of initiatives for tourism and hospitality businesses including:

• $20 million in interest free loans over three years to tourism and hospitality businesses with a turnover of less than $5 million.
• Waive payroll tax for the last four months of this financial year.
• A 50 per cent discount on liquor licensing fees and application fees waived for 2020 – backdated to the start of the year.
• $50,000 each to the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TCT) and Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) for tourism and hospitality training and support.
• The Government will waive tourism operator lease, license and entry fees for tourism businesses operating in the Parks network for the fourth quarter of 2019-20.
• $2.1 million for one-off $5,000 grants for businesses that hire an apprentice or trainee.
• A youth employment payroll tax rebate scheme for businesses employing people under the age of 24.
• $50 million in interest free loans over 3 years to encourage local governments to upgrade, renovate and to do necessary maintenance to improve tourism assets.
• There is also a range of other business support and community measures available. 

Victoria

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• The Victorian Government has announced a $1.7 billion economic survival and jobs package, which complements the work of the Federal Government. Find out more about the package here.
• The Business Victoria dedicated hotline (13 22 15), website (business.vic.gov.au) and fortnightly newsletter updates will help businesses of all sizes get the facts and connect them with support services.

Western Australia

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The Western Australian Government has announced $114 million in measures to support small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. The three measures announced for small business include:

• $17,500 grants for small businesses with a payroll between $1 million and $4 million.
• The $1 million payroll tax threshold will be brought forward by six months to 1 July 2020.
• Businesses impacted by coronavirus can apply now to defer payment of their 2019-20 payroll tax until 21 July 2020.