Restrictions on non-essential activities and businesses are constantly evolving. To get up-to-date information regarding this matter, visit the NSW Government Public Health Orders page.

As of 1 June, for businesses that can open, each business owner can make decisions about what makes the most sense for their situation. Employers must allow employees to work from home where it is reasonably practical to do so.

Bars, pubs, clubs, breweries and casinos - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

Pubs, clubs, small bars, cellar doors, micro-breweries, small distilleries and casinos may open with restrictions.

• Capacity must not exceed 50 customers or one customer per 4 square metres (excluding staff) per existing separate seated food or drink area, whichever is the lesser. Venues may have multiple existing seated areas.

• Bowlers on a bowling green are not be counted in the total number of persons on the premises. There can be no more than 10 bowlers on a bowling green at any one time.

• Maximum of 10 people per booking (except for gatherings for or immediately after a wedding which are permitted to a maximum of 20 guests, or gatherings immediately after a funeral or memorial service which are permitted to a maximum of 50 guests, provided that the venue can accommodate this many people).

• Anyone entering the premises must provide their name and contact details, including a telephone number or email address.

• Operators must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and keep a record of all people entering the premises.

Cafes, restaurants and food courts - OPEN WITH RESTRCTIONS

Cafes and restaurants may open with restrictions.

• Capacity must not exceed 50 customers or one customer per 4 square metres in an existing seated dining area, whichever is the lesser.

• Bookings can only be to a maximum of 10 people.

• Anyone entering the premises must provide their name and contact details, including a telephone number or email address.

• Operators must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and keep a record of all people entering the premises.

Tables and chairs in food courts are not to be used for the consumption of food or drinks.

Beauty, nail, waxing and tanning salons - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

Salons offering nail, waxing, tanning and beauty services may open with restrictions.

• Capacity must not exceed 10 customers or one customer per 4 square metres (including staff members) on the premises, whichever is the lesser.
• Operators must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Caravan parks and camping grounds - OPEN

Caravan and camping grounds may open. There is no limit to the number of customers in the park or grounds however premises must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

If you are visiting someone who is staying at a caravan park or camping ground, limits apply for visitors.

Community Centres - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

• Community centres can only open (with no capacity limitations) to

- provide a service to assist vulnerable members of the public

- as an early education and care facility.

• Community centres can also open for counselling or support group services. Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres including staff members.

Cultural buildings, libraries, galleries and museum - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

Cultural buildings that provide information and education facilities such as libraries, galleries and museums may open with restrictions.

• Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres including staff members.

• Any indoor cinema, theatre or theatrette must be closed.

• Each facility must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

National Trust or Historic Houses Trust properties may open with restrictions.

• Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres including staff members.

• Each property must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Education and childcare - OPEN

Childcare facilities, schools, universities, TAFE and educational colleges may open.

Entertainment and amusement centre - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

• Aquariums, zoos and reptile parks may open with restrictions.

  • Any indoor cinema on the premises must remain closed.
  • Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres excluding animal enclosures.
  • Operators must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. 

• Betting agencies may open with restrictions. Drive-in cinemas may open with no capacity limitation. Operators must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

- Capacity must not exceed 10 customers or one customer per 4 square metres (excluding staff members), whichever is the lesser.

• Any other amusement centre or entertainment facility is CLOSED

Funeral and memorial services - ALLOWED WITH SOME RESTRICTIONS

Up to 50 people may attend a funeral or memorial service.

The limit to the number of people who may attend includes adults and children and excludes the people necessary to conduct the service or assist in the conduct of the service such as the funeral director and their staff.

People attending the service will be required to supply their name and contact details so that they can be used for contact tracing.

Hairdressers and barbers - OPEN

Hairdressing salons and barbers may open with restrictions. Businesses must comply with the 4 square metre rule.

Healthcare - OPEN

Healthcare products and services may open including

• chemists

• dental services

• doctors

• hospitals or medical centres

• physiotherapists

• remedial or therapeutic massage service providers

• other healthcare providers as listed in the NSW Public Health Act including speech therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture services.

Hotels and accommodation - OPEN

Accommodation services are able to be offered without restriction, except holiday rentals which are subject to restrictions.

Legal and justice - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

• Court and tribunal proceedings will be conducted without the need for attending where possible.

• All social visits to NSW prisons, correctional facilities, youth justice centres and other places of custody have been temporarily suspended.

• Arrangements are in place for people reporting to Community Corrections offices

Markets - CLOSED

Excepting food markets

National parks and state forests - OPEN

National parks and state forests in NSW may open with no capacity limitations. 

Personal services - CLOSED

• Massage and tattoo parlours cannot provide services however they can open to sell products and gift vouchers. This applies to any business premises, regardless of whether it operates in a retail outlet or in a private home. Businesses must comply with the 4 square metre rule.

• Strip clubs and sex services premises are closed.

Real estate and auctions - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

Real estate agents and property vendors may hold open house property inspections and on-site auctions. 

To help keep everyone safe,  agents and vendors should follow health guidance for the industry and ensure people with any symptoms of illness do not attend a property.

Auction houses can open with restrictions. 

• The 4 square metre rule applies and the number of persons allowed on premises is restricted to 100 people indoors or 500 people outdoors.
• Auction houses that conduct auctions for goods other than food, livestock, fibre or real estate must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Retail stores - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

Retail stores can open. Businesses must comply with the 4 square metre rule.

Sports and recreation - ACTIVITIES ALLOWED

• Public gatherings of up to 10 people.

• Use of outdoor equipment in public places, with caution.

• Recreational activities such as fishing and hunting.

• Outdoor activities including the use of skate parks and BMX bike tracks.

• Outdoor sporting competitions where no more than 10 people in total are gathered including players, referees/umpires, coaches, spectators or others.

• Golf is permitted where no more than 10 people are gathered. 

• Lawn bowling is allowed providing public health order conditions are met including that:

- there are only 10 people on a bowling green at any one time (excluding staff and game officials)

- physical distancing is maintained

- the licensee records the name and phone number of each player and records are kept for 4 weeks.

Learn more about having picnics, training outdoors and using exercise equipment.

Sports and recreation - ACTIVITIES NOT ALLOWED

• Indoor sporting events.

• Local sporting competitions involving more than 10 people.

 Sports and recreations - CLOSED OR RESTRICTED

• Indoor recreation facilities such as squash courts, gyms, table tennis centres, health studios, bowling alleys and ice rinks are closed.

• Indoor public swimming pools are closed except for squad training in swimming pools that are 25 metres or more long, where there is only one person per lane, and no more than 10 people in the pool at one time. Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres.

• Public outdoor swimming pools may open with restrictions.

- Capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres including staff members.

- No more than 10 people are allowed in the pool at one time.

• Major recreation facilities such as stadiums, theme parks, showgrounds and motor racing tracks are limited to 10 persons on the premises excluding workers. 

Travel, holiday homes and holiday rentals - ALLOWED

• There are no limitations to travelling within NSW. 

• You may travel to regional NSW for a holiday.

• Up to ten people may stay in a holiday home or holiday rental. More than ten people can stay in a holiday home or holiday rental if they are all members of the same household.

Volunteering - ALLOWED

There are no restrictions on volunteering for a charity.

Foodbanks and homeless shelters have not been closed.

Weddings - ALLOWED WITH RESTRICTIONS

In addition to the couple, the people conducting or assisting in the conduct of the wedding, a photographer, videographer, and up to 20 guests (including adults and children) may attend a wedding.

People attending will be required to provide their name and contact details so that they can be used for contact tracing.

Working from home - ALLOWED

Employers must allow employees to work from home where it is reasonably practical to do so.

Worship and religious gatherings - ALLOWED WITH RESTRICTIONS

A maximum of 50 people (adults and children) can attend a religious service at a place of worship, plus the people necessary to conduct or assist in the conduct of, the service.

A maximum of 50 people can attend a place of worship for private worship however the capacity must not exceed 4 square metres per person. The maximum applies to the whole of the venue, even where men and women worship in separate areas. 

Services can be streamed or recorded to enable people to engage in worship.

People attending a religious service at a place of public worship will be required to provide their name and contact details when they enter so that they can be used for contact tracing.

Australian Government coronavirus information and support for business

Find financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the new government support for Australian businesses at this website. Information includes:

• Relief for commercial tenants: the Government has announced a range of measures to help renters, including a mandatory code of conduct for commercial tenancies.
• JobKeeper Payment for employers and employees: businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be able to access a subsidy to continue paying their employees. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee until 27 September 2020.
• JobKeeper Payment for sole traders and other entities: sole traders and self-employed people may be eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment if their turnover has reduced. The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee until 27 September 2020.
• Boosting cash flow for employers: payments to provide cash flow support to businesses and not-for-profit entities that employ staff.
• Supporting apprentices and trainees: if you employ an apprentice or trainee you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50% of their wage.
• Increased and accelerated income support: learn about income support payments and the new time limited Coronavirus Supplement.
• Early access to superannuation.
• Supporting the flow of credit: learn about actions to support the flow of credit in the Australian economy, including for small and medium businesses.
• Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses: learn about changes to bankruptcy law as part of the government's economic response.
• Increasing the instant asset write-off: learn how the threshold has been increased and expanded to include more businesses.
• Backing Business Investment (BBI): read about support for business investment and economic growth by accelerating depreciation deductions.
• International Freight Assistant Mechanism: find out about freight assistance for Australian agriculture and seafood exporters.
• Support for existing government program participants and applicants: existing government program grantees may be eligible for extra time to meet their project obligations.

Australian Taxation Office - support for businesses and employers

Visit this website to find out how the ATO is supporting businesses. Information includes:

• JobKeeper payments

• Boosting cash flow for employers: tax-free cash flow boosts of between $20,000 and $100,000 to eligible businesses, delivered through credits in the activity statement system, when eligible businesses lodge their statements.

• Increasing the instant asset write-off: changes to thresholds and eligibility

• Backing business investment: businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $500 million are able to accelerate their depreciation deductions on the purchase of certain new depreciable assets.

• Additional support during COVID-19, including:

- Who to contact

- Lodgement or payment

- Vary your PAYG instalments

- Change your GST reporting cycle

- Defer GST payments for importers

- Offshore providers of low-value goods, services and digital products

- Statement of tax record

• COVID-19 employers FAQs for:

- Not-for-profit employers and salary packaging

- FBT and working from home

- FBT on accommodation, food and transport

- FBT on benefits to protect employees from COVID-19

- FBT and emergency health care

- FBT and providing the flu vaccination to employees who are working from home

- FBT and providing testing for COVID-19 to employees

- Super guarantee obligations

- Payments and reporting

- Interest and penalties

- Cancelled supplies and events

- International business

- Pausing or ceasing your business

NSW Government financial assistance for business and employers

Visit this website regarding NSW Government help available to businesses, including:

• Grants and loans, including $10,000 small business grants, which can be applied for here.

• Business support updates.

• Taxes, fees, leases and operating hours, including:

- Fee and licence relief

- Tax assistance, including payroll tax, gaming and watering tax deferral, parking space levy deferral, instant asset write offs, depreciation deductions

- Commercial tenancies, including commercial lease assistance, rent relief agreements, request a commercial tenancy rent reduction, negotiate a new commercial tenancy, NSW Government land tax support package

- Opening hours changes

- Financially distressed businesses

NSW Government call for local manufacturing of medical supplies

The NSW Government is calling on local manufacturers to help supply medical equipment and hygiene products to our essential services workers. Critical supplies in demand:

• Hand sanitiser

• Examination gloves

• Disinfection and cleaning products

• Handwash and soap

• Masks

• Eyewear

• Gowns

• Paper products

Go to the website to register your interest. Registration is instant and free.

Coronavirus information and support for businesses

This is a one-stop-shop from the Australian Government, which includes information regarding:

• Restrictions on services: find out which businesses are impacted by the current restrictions on social gatherings.

• Keeping you and your employees safe.

• Coronavirus and mental health.

• Be aware of coronavirus scams: learn how to protect your business from scams.

• Tax support: find out what tax support is available if you or your employees are affected by the coronavirus.

• Pausing or closing your business due to COVID-19.

• Supporting small businesses during coronavirus.

COVID-19 help for small businesses

This is a one-stop-shop by Service NSW for information on support and financial relief for businesses, employees and jobseekers, to help manage the impact of COVID-19. Information includes:

• Personalised business support - request a call from a Business Concierge

• Changes to business trading

• Fee waivers and tax assistance

• Grants, loans and financial assistance

• Your employees and apprentices

• Mental health and general wellbeing

• Training and education

• Information for primary producers

• General business support

• Online events for business owners

• Commercial lease support

• Small business COVID-19 case studies

FAQs for small business owners

The NSW Small Business Commissioner has provided tips and resources to help you manage your small business during the crisis and into the recovery phase. Visit this website if you have the following questions:

• What businesses are restricted from trading?

• My business is experiencing lost trade and cashflow problems – can I get help with my bills?

• What financial support is available from the government?

• I’m struggling with my rent.

• I need advice on consumer rights (e.g. event cancellations, refunds, delayed orders)

• How can I prepare my business if I get sick?

• What are my employer obligations?

• I need advice on managing employee leave.

• How can I protect myself, my employees and my customers?

• I’m having a dispute.

• I need business advice.

• Who can I speak to about other issues such as red tape?

• I need mental health support.

COVID-19 and mental health at work

Health obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 extend to both physical and psychological health, so persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) have a responsibility to support their workers in the uncertain and changing times the COVID-19 pandemic is creating.

It is important for PCBUs/employers to provide, so far as reasonably practicable, a mentally healthy work environment for their workers, ensuring that workers stay both physically and mentally healthy during this time. To stay up-to-date on information and resources to assist with COVID-19, access nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

Information on this page includes:

• Steps a PCBU/employer can take to minimise workplace mental ill-health.

• Providing a mentally healthy work environment with workers working remotely, or from home.

• Resources to use and share to stay mentally healthy.

• Resources to refer to for help through change of employment circumstances and uncertainty.

• If a worker is displaying signs of mental ill-health and needs help right now.

What small businesses can do now

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell talks about some of the things small businesses can do now to help their business stay afloat during this difficult time.

My Business Health

My Business Health is an initiative of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. It provides easy access to tools, templates and tips to manage stress and proactively engage with running your business.

Business Connect

Business Connect is a free service that will provide business advice and support on any matter. Advice is provided in six different languages, including English, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese.

Food Authority advice for food businesses

Webinars & Workshops

Western Sydney Business Centre

The Western Sydney Business Centre has a range of low cost and free online workshops on fundamental topics for running a small business. There are also specific free seminars related to coping with the COVID-19 crisis. Visit the website for a full calendar of workshops and seminars.

Business Connect webinars

Business Connect has a range of free webinars regarding general business operations, as well as a special series regarding the COVID-19 crisis. These webinar topics include:

• Business disruption - retail

• Business disruption - advanced manufacturing

• Business disruption - adapting your business

• A post-COVID-19 plan for multicultural businesses

• NDIS future proofing for financial sustainability

• Agritourism 2020

• Cash flow essentials

• How to sell your business customers

• Shifting from physical to digital retail

• Brand building for small business

• Winning new business from your existing and new customers

• How to start your own business

• Employment during business disruption

• COVID-19 business support for multicultural businesses

Visit the website for full calendar of workshops and seminars.

ATO free small business webinars

The ATO is offering a range of webinars to assist small businesses. Some topics include:

• Digital options

• myGovID: your small business digital identity

• Tax support for small business

• Introduction to business records

• Cash flow for small business success

• Budgeting for your commitments

• Recording income and expenses (GST)

• Starting a small business

• Becoming an employer

• Ride-sourcing: income, expenses and GST

• An introduction to tax basics

• Home-based business

• Activity statement essentials

COVID-19 Support: Fee-free Courses from TAFE NSW

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAFE NSW is offering a number of fee-free* short courses that can be completed in just days or weeks, offering practical skills and experiences across a range of industries. Fee-free online courses currently available are:

• Develop Administration Skills

• Enhance Your Digital Impact

• Grow Health and Medical Knowledge

• Improve Leadership Performance

• Practical Business Skills

*Eligibility criteria apply - check the website.

Webinar: Reinvent your business in troubled times

A free webinar, supported by the NSW Department of Industry, that looks at how to build the right Digital Marketing Infrastructure that delivers business results in times of crisis and in years to come.

COVID-19 Infection Control Training

This 30-minute online training module is for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19.

Resources

Prepare your business for disasters in five simple steps

This guide from the NSW Small Business Commissioner outlines a five-step plan to prepare your business for disasters.

Get back to business: a guide for recovering from disaster

This guide from the NSW Small Business Commissioner contains five phases of disaster recovery you would generally expect - from the moment the disaster has hit, to the actions you could take over the days, weeks and months ahead.

As a business owner and employer, you have obligations to keep your place of business, employees and yourself safe during the COVID-19 crisis.

Industry guidelines for COVID Safe workplaces

To keep workers, visitors and customers safe, and to give them the confidence to keep coming back, businesses and organisations will need to follow health and hygiene requirements designed to keep COVID-19 out of workplaces.

If you are eligible to reopen or increase your operations from 1 June, visit this website to find advice for your industry, including:

• Beauty, ail, waxing, tanning and hairdressing salons
• Betting agencies
• Caravan parks and camping grounds
• Libraries
• Museums and galleries
• Places of workshop
• Pubs, clubs, bars and breweries
• Restaurants and cafes
• Zoos, reptile parks and aquariaums

National COVID-19 safe workplace principles

To keep our workplaces healthy and safe businesses should consult with workers and their representatives to

• assess the way they work to identify, understand and quantify risks, and

• implement and review control measures to address those risks.

Safe Work Australia has established 10 guiding principles to help businesses and workers maintain safe working environments through the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information for employers

This website contains an information sheet which answers the following FAQs:

• What employers should do to reduce the risk of COVID-19

• Vulnerable employees

• Precautions for cleaning staff

• Can food and water spread coronavirus?

• How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

• Can staff go to work?

• Return to work following quarantine

• Return to work following recovery from COVID-19

• Reducing stigma in the workplace

• Planning considerations

• Support for small business

Coronavirus and Australian workplace law

Fair Work Australia answers frequently asked questions about workplace obligations and entitlements for both employers and employees. It includes information about:

• JobKeeper changes to the Fair Work Act

• Unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave flexibility in awards: on 8 April the Fair Work Commission made determinations varying 99 awards to provide flexible leave options during the pandemic. Read more here

• Health and safety in the workplace

• Arranging flexible work hours

• Using paid leave

• Using unpaid leave

• Standing down employees and business closures

• Ending employment

• Business bankruptcy and insolvency

• Resolving workplace issues during coronavirus

Returning to work and the workplace

As coronavirus restrictions start easing, a number of industries and businesses are starting to operate again. This means that many employers and employees are planning their return to work or to the workplace. Visit this page for information about:

• Changes to restrictions

• Planning the return to work

• Managing the return to work

• Directing employees to return to their workplace

• Resolving issues when returning to work

Health and safety in the workplace during coronavirus

Employers and workers need to follow the rules about health and safety in the workplace. Visit this page for information about:

• Workplace health and safety resources

• Safe Work Australia online toolkit

• COVIDSafe app

• Beyond Blue

• Going to work during coronavirus

• Protecting employees and customers during coronavirus

• Work-related travel during coronavirus

Safe Work Australia COVID-19 business resource kit

This website includes a range or resources for business to download and display in their workplaces, including checklists and infographics. The page also includes fact sheets regarding:

• How to keep workers safe

• Workplace checklist

• Working from home: workstation setup guide

• Physical distancing checklist

• Cleaning checklist

• How to clean and disinfect your workplace

• Health, hygiene and facilities checklist

Coronavirus advice and guidance for NSW workplaces

This guide is to help businesses comply with their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This website includes information about:

• Assess the risk

• Notify SafeWork NSW

• Fee waivers during COVID-19: SafeWork NSW is waiving fees for a range of 12-month licences and permits, as well as reducing the cost of three and five year ones.

• Managing occupational violence

• Converting production lines

• Managing COVID-19 in different workplaces

• Pandemic planning advice

• Working from home during COVID-19

• Mental health at work during COVID-19

Getting back to work in a COVID safe way

Guidance from the NSW government for businesses, employers and workers to make their workplaces safe. Information includes:

• Services open for business
• What you can and can't do under the rules
• Fee and licence relief
• How to make your business COVID safe
• Working from home guidance for employers
• Occupational violence and customer aggression

NSW Government flexible long service leave changes

On 25 March 2020, the NSW Parliament passed changes to long service leave, which will create greater flexibility for employers and employees to access leave during the COVID-19 crisis. The legislation will have effect for six months, with the possibility of an extension to one year. Key amendments are:

• waiving the one-month notice period for taking leave (by mutual agreement between employee and employer)

• greater flexibility for employees to take this leave in shorter blocks if they wish (rather than traditional monthly blocks)

Consumer and business rights

Some consumer and business rights have changed under COVID-19. Visit this NSW Fair Trading website to find out about consumer and business rights relating to:

• Fee waivers

• Renting and property

• Strata and community schemes

• Event and travel cancellations

• Shopping and subscription services

• Weddings

• Retirement villages and residential land lease communities

• Associations and co-operatives

ArtsHub

ArtsHub is providing up to date information and news about COVID-19 and its impact on the arts. Visit this website to find out about:

• Non-member access to resources
• Relevant podcasts
• Creative solutions to maintain your business whilst social distancing.

Australia Council

Australia Council has announced a $5 million Resilience Fund for artists and arts organisations to support their livelihoods, practice and operations during COVID-19 pandemic. Visit this website to find out about:

• Quick response funding
• Changes to grant conditions
• Webinars 
• Arts and creative industry: digital support 
• Contribute to surveys capturing COVID-19 impact data for performers, crew, venues, events, visual artists and organisations, CALD creatives, the literature sector, media and entertainment, and dance. 

Create NSW

Create NSW is providing updates in relation to funding and related COVID 19 news. Visit this website to find out about:

• Removing requirements to meet audience KPIs
• Varying the purpose and outcomes of funding
• Extending timelines for projects
• Allowing grants to be repurposed to pay essential bills such as rent, wages or utilities

Creative Business Plus

Creative Business Plus is providing information, training and support for those working within the creative and cultural industries. Visit this website to find out about:

• A range of free resources
• Advice sessions
• Workshops

FBi Radio

FBi Radio is providing support to the Creative and Cultural Sector through establishment of the In-It-Together Community Relief Directory, promoting cultural initiatives. Visit this website to register and find out more.

Support Act

Support Act is providing wellbeing support for musicians and music industry professionals. Visit this website to find out about:

• Crisis relief for those directly affected in the arts and music industry.
• Wellbeing Helpline
• Assistance

I Lost My Gig Survey

Bushfires and Coronavirus have led to the cancellation and postponement of hundreds of concerts, conferences, events and festivals across Australia and the rest of the world - with many more events still vulnerable. Many performers, businesses and contractors have lost vital income. The Australian Music Industry Network and the Australian Festival Association have joined with industry partners to tally the impact of these impacts on Australians - and hear your stories. Take the survey to share your experience and contribute to valuable data-gathering regarding the impacts of these disasters.