The South Australian government has announced a new round of grants as part of its $4 billion in economic stimulus to help protect thousands of local jobs.
The state is also offering $3,000 cash grants to eligible businesses that do not employ staff, including sole traders and partnerships, operating from a commercial premise and suffering financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
The measures are part of the state budget and are expected to assist up to 10,000 small businesses and not-for-profits, including sporting and community organisations, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers.
Premier Steven Marshall said over $186 million in cash grants have already been paid to over 18,700 recipients in the first round of stimulus — supporting more than 100,000 jobs.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our state’s economy and we are determined to do everything in our power to help keep their lights on, their doors open and their hardworking people in jobs,” Premier Marshall said.
“While many local businesses have started the recovery process as COVID-19 restrictions have started to ease, we know there are still many others who continue to be negatively impacted by the pandemic.
“That’s why we’re introducing a second round of $10,000 cash grants to support those small businesses and not-for-profits who continue to do it tough — which brings to $20,000 the total direct and targeted cash support for employers.”
The funds are expected to help ease the cash flow burden on businesses by helping cover ongoing and outstanding operating costs, such as rent, power bills, supplier and raw materials costs.
Applications for the grant open on Monday, 9 November, and will be available until midnight on 14 December 2020.
Eligibility for businesses that don’t employ
- Have an Australian business number (ABN) and were carrying on the operation of a business in South Australia on 30 September 2020
- Did not employ people in South Australia as at 30 September 2020
- Are operating from a commercial premise
- Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (excluding GST) in either 2018–19 or 2019–20
- Are a participant in the Commonwealth government’s extended JobKeeper payment scheme from 28 September 2020
Eligibility for small businesses and not-for-profits that employ
- Have an Australian business number (ABN) and were carrying on the operation of a business in South Australia on 30 September 2020
- Employ people in South Australia as at 30 September 2020
- Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (excluding GST) in either 2018–19 or 2019–20
- Have total Australian payroll of less than $1.5 million in either 2018–19 or 2019–20, and not be entitled to a payroll tax waiver or deferral under COVID-19 support measures introduced by the South Australian government
- Are a participant in the Commonwealth government’s extended JobKeeper payment scheme from 28 September 2020
