Small businesses in Perth and Peel that were directly impacted by the ANZAC Day long weekend lockdown can now apply for $2,000 grants to assist with costs incurred.
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Businesses affected by the restrictions are now able to apply on the Small Business Development Corporation's website http://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au, with the first payments expected next month.
About 15,000 businesses are expected to qualify, including hospitality, catering and staging, fitness, hair and beauty, and creative and performing arts.
Since the assistance program was announced earlier this month the Small Business Development Corporation has received more than 7,500 expressions of interest.
All businesses that have expressed their interest will be contacted and provided with a link to begin their application.
The Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants program, estimated to cost $31.8 million, will provide targeted support to small businesses to cover some direct costs and lost bookings due to cancellations and closures.
The one-off $2,000 payment will provide assistance to eligible businesses with an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million that have a valid ABN and are registered for GST purposes, with a turnover of more than $75,000.
Businesses must have incurred losses of perishable goods, cancellations, or other unforeseen costs as a result of the lockdown. Upon request, businesses must be able to demonstrate losses and retain relevant records for at least 12 months.
Sectors eligible to apply for Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants include:
- cafés and restaurants;
- catering services;
- pubs, taverns, bars and nightclubs;
- accommodation and sightseeing;
- health and fitness centres and gyms;
- sport and physical recreation (instruction);
- hairdressing and beauty services;
- florists;
- cinemas;
- bakeries;
- clubs (hospitality);
- specialised food retail;
- food wholesalers;
- creative industries and performing arts venues; and
- event equipment hire.
The grants add to the more than $1.3 billion of assistance the state 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.
Premier Mark McGowan said the first payments expected next month.
"The restrictions were necessary to stop the spread of COVID, however the State Government has moved quickly to establish a targeted grants program to provide necessary relief to small businesses," Mr McGowan said.
Daniela Cooper
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
