As we move through the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACT Government is providing a range of support measures to assist small businesses and local industry. See below for available support schemes.
The ACT COVID-19 Business Support Grants will deliver support of up to $10,000 for employing businesses and up to $4,000 for non-employing businesses over the three-week lockdown period where those businesses' turnover has declined by 30 per cent or more as a result of the COVID-19 health restrictions. This program is jointly funded by the ACT and Australian Governments.
Eligibility will include:
Eligible small businesses will soon be able to apply to the ACT Government to receive credits for payroll tax, utility charges, rates and other selected fees and charges up to a maximum of $10,000 per operator. To be eligible for credits the applicant must be able to demonstrate 30 per cent loss in revenue.
This scheme is for small businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $10 million per annum.
Small businesses can apply for up to $10,000 of support in the form of credit.
Employees who are unable to earn an income during the lockdown may be able to access the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
Payment amounts will vary from $200 to up to $750 depending on the hours of work lost during the lockdown and other eligibility criteria.
More information about the scheme and how to apply is available on the Services Australia website.
Accommodation providers and private tourism venue operators who have experienced a 30 per cent reduction in revenue in July 2021 compared to April 2021, can receive a full rebate on their fixed water and sewerage charges for the first two quarters of 2021-22.
For more information and eligibility, please read the Accommodation and Tourism Venue Operator Support Program factsheet (PDF 281KB) or (DOC 169KB).
Applications are now open. Please read this factsheet and then submit your application via this online form.
If you need assistance or have a question, please email CMTEDDCOVID19-WaterandSewerageRebate@act.gov.au.
Applications close at 5pm on 17 September 2021
Small tourism operators and operators likely to receive less than $15,000 under the Accommodation and Tourism Venue Operator support program will be contacted to apply for the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment.
Eligible businesses can apply for reimbursement of up to $15,000 per ABN for eligible expenses incurred in June and July 2021.
To be eligible for the rebate the applicant must be able to demonstrate 30 per cent loss of revenue in July 2021 compared to April 2021.
Eligibility requirements are set out in three categories:
A range of expense types including ACT Government rates, fees and charges, fuel and mortgage repayments and perishable goods are eligible for reimbursement of up to $15,000 plus GST depending on the category.
Full payment parameters, eligibility requirements and supporting documentation are set out in the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment Guidelines (DOC 227KB) or (PDF 971KB).
Please submit your application and supporting documentation via SmartyGrants portal.
Template for accountant or agent letter can be downloaded here.
You can find guidance on how to use Smart Grants here.
If you need assistance or have a question please email COVID-19business@act.gov.au.
Applications close at 5pm on 17 September 2021.
Current vehicle registration fees waivers for hire cars and charter buses registered in the ACT has now been extended to 31 March 2022. Vehicle registration fees will be waived for hire cars and charter buses registered in the ACT, providing further relief to tourism businesses. This is in addition to the hire car annual licence fees that were waived for 12 months as part of the assistance package announced in early April 2020.
Please see the Rego Fees Waiver Hire Car and Charter Bus Factsheet for more information.
To receive the waiver, contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
The Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund (TCMF) will be brought forward in 2021/22. It is designed to encourage Canberra-based organisations or businesses to collaborate on innovative marketing campaigns that increase awareness of Canberra and region as a leisure destination.
Funding of $500,000 will be available to applications from two or more entities in two categories. A focus of the Fund will be to encourage collaboration with accommodation providers.
More information on the Fund will be available on the Visit Canberra Corporate website soon and will open once restrictions are eased.
The 2021/22 COVID Safe Tourism Co-investment program will be brought forward and will offer $750,000 in funding to encourage the development of new experiences to attract overnight visitors to Canberra. More information on the Fund will be available on the Visit Canberra Corporate website soon and will open for applications once restrictions are eased.
A range of licence and fee waivers are available:
Businesses do not need to contact the ACT Government for these waivers. They will be applied automatically as part of the normal annual fee licencing process.
On 1 July 2021, the Government announced that "on liquor" licensees will be able to sell takeaway alcohol and offer it for home delivery until 31 August 2021.
A similar measure was implemented for a short period in 2020 to enable businesses to continue to trade and diversify services as part of the ACT Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Micro-producers will receive a 90 per cent reduction off their application fee in the first year of their off licence from 22 May 2020 if they produce and sell up to $100,000 of liquor on their licenced premises.
To qualify for the initiative, you must:
Visit the Access Canberra website to apply.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
If you require further information about the COVID-19 lockdown and grants available, please contact your Gillespie Advisory adviser to find out more in relation to these measures.