FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
The following details are extracts from information provided by Services Australia. Full details of this package, and other assistance available, can be found here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
COVID-19 Disaster Payment
Federally funded support for areas recognised a hotspot for Commonwealth support.
The period of support depends on when the area in question was recognised as a hotspot for Commonwealth support and when it stopped being recognised as such.
Amount of support:
Loss of less than 20 hours of work per week or a full day of work: $450 for each relevant period.
Loss of 20 hours or more of work per week: $750for each relevant period.
A full day of usual work is what the person was scheduled to work but could not because of restricted movement order. This includes not being able to attend a full time, part-time or casual shift of less than 8 hours.
Support amounts have increased since this payment was introduced. Care should be taken to determine the support amount applicable to the claim period.
Eligibility
General rules:
The applicant is an Australian resident or holds an eligible working visa.
The applicant is 17 years or older.
The applicant is not getting an income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Dad and Partner Pay or Parental Leave Pay.
The applicant is not getting the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment for the same period.
The applicant lost income and doesn’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements.
The applicant lives in, works from or has visited a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot that is subject to a state restricted movement order.
The applicant was unable to earn their usual income of 8 hours or more or a full day’s work because they were in the COVID-19 hotspot and are subject to restricted movement.
Specific rules will also apply to each recognised hotspot, particularly around eligibility periods.
Eligibility criteria are subject to change through negotiations between the Federal and State Governments and should be reconfirmed before applications are lodged.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
Available in all States and territories to residents who cannot work because they are required to self-isolate, or they are in quarantine.
Residents are eligible for $1,500 for each 14 day period they are required to self-isolate or quarantine.
More details can be found here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment
VICTORIAN ASSISTANCE
The following details are extracts from statements made by the Victorian Premier and information provided by Business Victoria. Full details of these packages, and other assistance available, can be found here: https://business.vic.gov.au/
Eligible Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two
Previously successful recipients of the Program will receive an additional $2800. These payments will be processed automatically in July 2021. Recipients will receive $2,800, taking total payment to $4,800.
Businesses that had chosen not to apply for these support programs in relation to the May/ June lockdown or had been ineligible to apply but are now eligible, will be welcome to apply for July lockdown support payments and will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process (applications will re-open “by the end of July”).
Business Continuity Fund
Grants of $5,000 to twenty-four eligible sectors.
An additional $2,000 for businesses located in the CBD.
Applicants must have been eligible for the Business Cost Assistance Package.
Small Business COVID Hardship Fund
Grants of up to $5,000 to support for small businesses that have not been eligible under existing business support funds.
Small businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million.
Business must have experienced a 70% or greater reduction in revenue.
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
Grants of up to $20,000 to support licensed venues.
An additional $2,000 for businesses located in the CBD.
Applicants must have been eligible for the previous iteration of this Fund.
Alpine Business Support
Grants of between $5,000and $20,000 to support alpine based businesses, including alpine resort operators and management boards.
Public events and public events suppliers
Eligible public events and public events suppliers affected by the lockdown will receive the support of up to $25,000 and $10,000respectively through an extension of the Impacted Public Events Support Program.
Live Performance Support programs
A new round of the Live Performance Support programs will provide up to $7,000 for presenters and up to $2,000 for suppliers.
Sporting Clubs Grants Program
The Sporting Clubs Grants Program will provide$2,000 grants for community sport and active recreation organisations for events unable to proceed.
Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme
The Victorian Government has reintroduced the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme to provide rent relief for eligible tenants, while also supporting landlords who do the right thing by their tenants.
The reintroduced scheme will make it a requirement for landlords to help eligible businesses that have endured a serious trading downturn due to no fault of their own.
The Scheme will be available to businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million and have suffered a decline in turnover of at least 30 per cent due to coronavirus.
Landlords will be required to provide proportional rent relief in line with a business’s reduction in turnover. For example, a business with a turnover of 40% of pre-pandemic levels can only be charged 40% of its rent. Of the balance, at least half must be waived, with the remainder to be deferred.
A mediation service for tenants and landlords will further support fair tenancy negotiations.
The legislation will be introduced to enact the Scheme, which will apply from 28th July 2021.
Other Assistance
Various other assistance packages are also available. Details are available on the website noted above.
Need support or advice?
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Disclaimer
While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material above, POINTAX, its employees or any of its representatives will not bear any responsibility or liability for action taken by any person based on the information contained in this blog.
The content is for information purposes only. It is recommended that no person make an investment decision until their individual need, desires and risk profile have been assessed by a qualified professional.