WA Covid Support Packages (updated 27 April 2022)

With borders re-opening after two years, and new restrictions coming into place, there have been new assistance packages announced to support business in Western Australia.

Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package

Note: the decline in turnover was revised on 27 April 2022 from 50 per to 40 per cent, and a new tier was added for businesses with a 30 per cent decline or more.

A new COVID-19 Business Assistance Package has been announced for Western Australian businesses who have experienced a 50 per cent decrease in business for any two-week period since 1 January 2022. This program will provide support to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria.

Small Business Hardship Grants

To be eligible for the Small Business Hardship Grants, businesses must:

Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
Be able to demonstrate a reduction in revenue for any two-week consecutive period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021.
Revised decline in turnover tiers as of 27 April 2022
- A revised tier for businesses that experienced a decline in business turnover of 40 per cent (reduced from the original 50 per cent decline) or more.
- A new tier for businesses that experienced a decline in business turnover of 30 per cent or more.

Eligible businesses that apply and receive funding from other recent business support programs, including the Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package, are also eligible to receive grants from the Level 2 package. Payments to eligible businesses will be according to business size and 30 per cent of 40 per cent decline:

Sole traders (non employing businesses) will be eligible for payments of $3,750 or $5,000
Micro businesses, with one to five employees, will be eligible for payments of $7,500 or $10,000
Small businesses, with six to 19 employees, will be eligible for payments of $15,000 or $20,000
Medium sized businesses employing 20 people or more, will be eligible for payments of $37,500 or $50,000

This program is open to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria – including the hospitality, arts and events industries.

Applications will be managed by the Small Business Development Corporation. Click here to apply and for more information.

Payroll tax waiver

Larger hospitality businesses that have a turnover of between $4 million and $20 million will be eligible for a three-month payroll tax waiver if they have experienced at least a 40 per cent (previously 50 per cent) drop in turnover over any four week period between January 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022, comparable to the same period last year.

Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package

Small business rental relief package

Tenant Rent Relief Scheme

Small business tenants can apply for rental relief grants of $3,000.

To be eligible for the Rent Relief small business must meet the following criteria:

Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000.
Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
Be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021. Contact our office if you need help identifying the eligible periods
Provide proof of tenancy (lease) in WA (excluding Government tenants).

Applications will be managed by the Small Business Development Corporation. Click here to apply and for more information.

Landlord Rent Relief Incentive

Landlords who voluntarily match the Government’s Tenant Rent Relief payments of $3,000 per tenant will be eligible for an incentive payment of $1,500. Eligibility criteria includes:

Landlords have provided rent relief of $3,000 to small business tenants that:
- experience a 30 per cent reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive time frame between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021; Contact our office if you need help identifying the eligible periods
- with the tenanted premises located in WA.
- Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
- Have a tenanted premises located in WA.

Applications will be managed by the Small Business Development Corporation. Click here to apply and for more information.

Tenant Rental Credit Scheme (Government tenants)

Business tenants of Government buildings (including Government Trading Enterprises) will be offered rent relief of $6,000 provided they meet the following criteria:

Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000.
Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
Be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent reduction in revenue for any six-week consecutive time frame between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021.
Provide proof of tenancy (lease) of a WA Government-owned building in WA.

Relevant agencies will deliver this grant directly to tenants through a rental waiver/credit process. No application is necessary.

Outdoor dining and entertainment support package

Alfresco support package

Small businesses in the hospitality sector may be eligible for up to $5,000 reimbursement of eligible costs associated with creating and expanding an alfresco area to meet the requirements of public health and social measures.

Eligibility criteria include:

Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000.
Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
Operate in the food and beverage industry.
Have a local government approved alfresco plan.

Applications will be managed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and more details will be available soon.

Next Steps

With the current assistance packages having a two and four week test period, it may not be easy to identify the eligible periods using standard reports in Xero or your chosen accounting program.

If you need assistance with the application, or to see if you business is eligible, please contact our office on 08 6118 6111 or hello@prescottsolutions.com.au