New COVID-19 Support Packages

The Australian and NSW Governments have announced new support packages for businesses and employees suffering impacts of Covid-19 restrictions in Greater Sydney. Support will include:

• An increase to the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment. From week four of a lockdown because of a Commonwealth Government declared hotspot, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will increase to $600 if a person has lost 20 or more hours of work a week or $375 if a person has lost between 8 and less than 20 hours of work a week.
  From 18 July 2021 the COVID-19 Commonwealth Disaster Payment will be available to those outside Commonwealth declared hotspots in NSW that meet the criteria for the payment. The Greater Sydney lockdown began on 26 June 2021.
  Find out more via the Services Australia website.

• An extension to the previously announced business grants program. This means eligible businesses with Australian wages below $10 million can claim grants between $7,500 and $15,000 to cover the first three-weeks of restrictions, and takes the potential size of the program to $2.1 billion.
  Applications will open on 19 July 2021. Business can register their interest from today via the Service NSW website.
   
• Up to $2 billion committed to the scheme to provide cashflow support to businesses to help them retain staff, to be delivered together with the Commonwealth.
   
• There will be payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover, as well as payroll tax deferrals and interest free repayment plans.
   
• A new grants program for micro businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 which experience a decline in turnover of 30 per cent. The businesses will be eligible for a $1500 payment per fortnight of restrictions.
   
• Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium and residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants can apply for a grant of up to $1,500 or land tax reductions depending on their circumstances. 
   
• Commercial and retail landlords will need to attempt mediation before recovering a security bond, or locking out or evicting a tenant impacted by the Public Health Order. Commercial, retail and residential landlords liable for land tax will be eligible for a land tax concession where they reduce the rent of their tenant.

• Deferral of gaming tax assessments for clubs until 21 December 2021 and hotels until 21 January 2021
   
• A $75 million support package for the performing arts sector to be administered by Create NSW
   
• A support package for the accommodation sector worth $26 million
   
• $12 million in additional funding for temporary accommodation for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness
   
• $5.1 million in NSW funding to support mental health (combined support package of $17.35 million to be delivered with the Commonwealth) for services through Lifeline, headspace and Kid’s Helpline.

• Media Release: NSW COVID-19 support package announced 
• Media Release: COVID-19 fighting fund to protect businesses, save jobs and support NSW through lockdown 
• COVID-19 business support grants

Restrictions for Greater Sydney and Regional NSW

Mandatory COVID-19 Check-In
Since last Monday 12 July 2021, use of the Service NSW QR code is mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses for customers, staff and visitors such as contractors. 
This expanded mandate gives NSW Health contact tracers real-time access to QR code data from a greater number of venues including supermarkets, retail stores, gyms and offices.  The amended Public Health Order commenced on Monday and requires any person to check-in using the Service NSW app when they enter most premises in NSW, and the owner or occupier of the premises to take reasonable steps to ensure a person checks in when they enter. 

For the full list of premises where QR check-ins are required, and to understand the rules and responsibilities for occupiers of premises, visit the NSW Government website. 

Clarification on record keeping

Where a person is unable to check-in to premises using the Service NSW QR code check-in tool and instead provide their details to the occupier of the premises, the occupier is required to:

• keep, for at least 28 days, a record of the contact details in a way that ensures the record is readily accessible and in an appropriate form to provide to the Chief Health Officer, and
• provide the record in electronic form as soon as possible, but within 4 hours, to NSW Health upon request, 7 days a week.

• ​Persons who live in or are staying in the Fairfield LGA, but who work outside this area, (‘affected worker’) must have a COVID-19 test once every 72 hours (3 days) in order to be allowed to enter a workplace. They must also have evidence of the test available for inspection on request by an employer or occupier of the premises or a police officer.
  ​Occupiers of premises, other than residential premises, also have an obligation not to allow an affected worker to enter or remain at the premises unless the affected worker has complied their obligation to get tested.
   
• Persons who live in or are staying in Greater Sydney (‘Greater Sydney worker’) must have a COVID-19 test in the 7 days before working if their workplace is 50km or more outside Greater Sydney. They must have evidence of the test available for inspection on request by an employer or occupier of the premises or a police officer.
  ​Occupiers of premises, other than residential premises, have an obligation not to allow a Greater Sydney worker to enter or remain at the premises unless the Greater Sydney worker has complied their obligation to get tested.

• Restrictions for Greater Sydney
• Restrictions for regional and rural NSW
• Obligations for businesses collecting patron and staff details
• COVID-19 tests for Greater Sydney workers
• Public health orders and restrictions

Need assistance?

The team at Destination Sydney Surrounds South is available to assist, please reach out to us if you have any questions about industry support and programs.