VITAL SUPPORT: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Deputy Premier Paul Toole, announced a major COVID support package of $1 billion for small business this past week in a real boost for the local economy.
Businesses, workers and the performing arts across NSW are all set to benefit from a major financial support package of more than $1 billion to help those that have been hardest hit by the Omicron wave.
The package includes financial support for small businesses to buy rapid antigen tests (RATs) to help keep their workers safe and a new Small Business Support Program to assist businesses to help keep their workers employed. Premier Dominic Perrottet said while case numbers are now declining, the NSW Government is determined to support those businesses that have been most affected during this wave of the pandemic.
“As part of the package, we are introducing the Small Business Support Program to help support businesses that experienced the worst effects of the Omicron wave,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This targeted package provides support for businesses who experienced cash flow issues and the immediate economic
impacts of the Omicron outbreak,” he said.
“NSW is tracking better than expected and confidence is returning. We’ve got the backs of businesses, as we have throughout this entire pandemic.”
The Small Business Support Program provides eligible businesses a lump sum payment of 20 percent of weekly payroll with a minimum payment of $500 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week.
In addition, the existing Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate will be increased by 50% from the current $2,000 limit to $3,000 and employing businesses will be able to use the rebate to obtain RATs. This will support worker availability by helping reduce costs to small businesses and enabling healthy staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, but test negative, to return to work.
For more information on the Small Business Support Program please visit nsw.gov.au.