Dear ,
This update focuses on the financial support that has been announced for businesses during this current lockdown.
The NSW and Commonwealth governments have announced a raft of financial support for both businesses and individuals, for those affected by the current lockdowns in NSW.
Importantly, some of these measures are accessible to those whose business has been affected, but are considered “regional” NSW.
These grants include -
COVID-19 Business Grants
Savings Jobs (JobSaver)
How much:
- Employing businesses: 40% of weekly payroll, with a minimum payment of $1,500 per week and a maximum payment of $10,000 per week
- Non-employing business: $1,000 per week
Eligibility:
- A revenue decline of 30% or more
- Turnover between $75,000 and $50 million
Micro Business Grants
A fortnightly payment for businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000
How much:
Eligibility:
- A turnover between $30k and $75k
- A revenue decline of 30% or more
- Businesses that provide the primary income source for a person associated with the business
Accommodation providers
Help will be available for eligible tourism accommodation providers that have lost business during the school holiday period. Assistance will be based on the number of cancelled ‘room nights’.
How much:
- $2,000 for up to 10 room nights
- $5,000 for 11 or more room nights
Eligibility:
- For room nights lost during the 25 June to 11 July period
- Must be able to show evidence of cancellations
More details can be found at HERE.
These grants appear to be available for small businesses and not-for-profits that have had a decline in turnover due to this current lockdown. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the metric that will be used to define what a decline in turnover means and what the comparison period is, has not yet been made available (the website states that “full criteria will be available soon”)
Additionally, the Commonwealth Government is providing a wage subsidy for those workers who have lost hours and therefore pay, during this period. Details of these payments can be found HERE.
I note that the conditions for this wage subsidy have recently been relaxed meaning that it is now far easier for an employee to qualify for this subsidy. It may therefore be possible for an organisation to temporarily reduce a staff members wage entitlement without this staff member being financially disadvantaged.
What is currently allowable?
School Camps:
Currently in the whole of NSW the Department of Education’s guidelines do not allow for school camps or overnight excursions to proceed.
Other Camps:
Greater Sydney
Until Greater Sydney exits the current lockdown, no camps can proceed.
Regional NSW
The current guidelines of the NSW Government’s webpage are somewhat ambiguous for regional NSW for non-school groups. We are seeking urgent clarification as to what is allowable for members located outside of Greater Sydney, acknowledging that currently anyone who is located within Greater Sydney cannot travel outside that “bubble”, unless it is for an designated reason. Attending a camp would not be considered a designated reason.
I will advise of the outcome of my query as soon as possible.
How long before we can have school camps again?
The short answer is, we do not know; but be assured we are working tirelessly to make sure camps can be back as soon as possible.
As stated in previous bulletins, we are working on getting camps allowed for Regional NSW as a first matter of priority, with the belief that any rules that applied to the regions, will be applied to Greater Sydney over time. At this stage, we are not seeing any mood by the NSW Government to be considering any form of restriction easing in the short term, either in Greater Sydney or in the rest of the state.
We are also hearing reports from within the school network (Government, Catholic, Independent sectors) of an expectation that learning from home will be in place for at least 4 weeks (with this week being Week 1). I emphasise that this is NOT official government policy, but rather reflecting the contingency planning that schools are currently engaged in.
Mental Health Support
There is wide-felt disbelieve and despair that we are going through this again (“I thought we were done with lockdowns”) and this is in turn increasing our levels of anxiety.
Whilst a common and widespread feeling, these emotions, if left unaddressed, can be damaging.
Can I strongly recommend that you either/and contact our NSW CVA Chaplains, Gary and Judith Baker on 0411 960 600, or use the resources available at places such as
Blessings to everyone as we continue to navigate this season,
Graeme
