Support for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
The Australian and NSW Governments have announced a number of stimulus packages, initiatives, programs and resources to support businesses through the impacts of COVID-19. Information regarding COVID-19 is constantly evolving, and Council will make every effort to keep this information updated. To ensure that you are receiving the most updated information, we recommend that you go straight to the sources provided.
Camden Business Directory
Camden Council is supporting local businesses in the Camden area by featuring them in an online directory. If you would like to include your business in this directory, register here.
For general assistance regarding support for businesses impacted by COVID-19, contact mail@camden.nsw.gov.au or 4654 7777
On 13 July 2021, the Australian and NSW Governments announced a major economic support package aimed at supporting businesses and individuals through the current COVID-19 lockdown. The commitment of $5.1 billion includes more than $1 billion from the Commonwealth. Key components of the 2021 COVID-19 package for businesses include: 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. A “JobSaver” employee retention scheme providing cashflow support to businesses to help them retain staff. The cash boost will be up to 40% of weekly payroll with a payment of between $1,500 to a maximum of $10,000 per week, provided staffing levels are maintained at the level as of 13 July 2021. Non-employing businesses are eligible for $1,000 per week. 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 $1,500 payment per fortnight of restrictions. Payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages bills 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. Land tax relief equal to the value of rent reductions provided by commercial, retail and residential landlords, up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability. A requirement on landlords to participate in mediation before taking actions to evict or lock out tenants. An increase in the payment amount for stood down workers from $500 to $600 per week for those who lost more than 20 hours, and to $375 for those who lost between 8 and 20 hours, and available to workers outside of the Greater Sydney lockdown areas. 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 $26 million support package for the accommodation sector. Expanded mental health services with programs targeted at young people and CALD communities. Further details on the Government’s support package, including eligibility, will be available at COVID business support 2021. To get up-to-date information regarding this matter, visit the NSW Government Public Health Orders page. Read the latest on what you can do in NSW and see the COVID-19 Safety Plans for businesses, organisations and events. Square Metres Rule For more information on how to apply the square metres rules click here. What you need to know about working from home and where to get help if you need it. See the guidance for employees and for employers. Your COVID-19 Safety Plan must address the matters required by the approved COVID-19 Safety Checklist. The plans set out what businesses and organisations need to do to fulfil their obligations under public health orders and minimise risk of transmission of COVID-19 on their premises. Complete the relevant COVID-19 Safety Plan for your industry. You need to keep a copy of your plan and provide it when asked to an authorised person. Check the COVID-19 Safety Plan that applies to your business for guidance on: If changes have been introduced for your industry since you last prepared a COVID-19 Safety Plan, see the latest version for new requirements. Learn more about electronic recordkeeping if your business or organisation needs to collect customer details. The Business Concierge team at Service NSW provides free, personalised support to small business owners as they start, run and grow their businesses, and as they adapt and recover in times of crisis. If you own a small business in the Camden area, your local Mobile Business Concierge can help you find the support you need. Look out for Julie Lewis from the Service NSW Mobile Business Concierge team, who will hit the road in Camden, offering a range of support in person on all things small business. Julie can help you navigate government requirements at local, state and federal levels, including applying for grants, licences and permits, understanding government regulations and more. Julie is based in our community and brings expert local knowledge and connections across our Council, business chambers and other government agencies to work with you one-on-one. She will continue to offer support and answer any questions as your dedicated case manager. Julie is currently available via phone or email. Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit the Service NSW website to request a call-back.. We will update the business community once face to face meetings resume. 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. Refusing service: find out when you can and cannot refuse service to customers. Mental health and wellbeing support for business. Cyber threats. Taxation for your business. Guide to continuing your business: learn steps you can take to help keep your business running during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. COVID Safe Check for NSW businesses: develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan specific to your industry, and register so customers know your business is COVID Safe. 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 Events and webinars 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? What support is available from banks? 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 do I make my business COVID Safe? I need business advice. Who can I speak to about other issues such as red tape? I need mental health support. Access to free online events and training. Other useful business resources. COVID-19 and mental health at work It’s important for businesses to provide a mentally healthy work environment, ensuring workers stay physically and mentally healthy during this time. Information on this page includes: Workplace mental ill-health during COVID-19 recovery Supporting a changing workplace Working remotely, or from home, during COVID-19 Resources to stay mentally healthy during COVID-19 Resources for staying mentally healthy when you are out of work Self-employment - New Business Assistance with NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) Individuals not in employment, education or training who are interested in running their own business may be eligible for New Business Assistance with NEIS. New Business Assistance can help by providing: Accredited small business training; Personalised mentoring and support form a NEIS provider in the first year of the new business to help the individual put their business idea into practice; and NEIS Allowance for up to 39 weeks and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks (if eligible). 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 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 The NSW Government is supporting industries and communities impacted by COVID-19 through funding various training courses such as: Health & First Aid Job seeking skills Personal services / community services Plan Skills Development Safe work practices Visit this page for information about eligibility, cost and how to apply. Note that some qualifications are fee-free. 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 has a range of free webinars regarding general business operations. Visit the website for full calendar of workshops and seminars. AusIndustry is delivering a 10-part webinar series to help businesses to respond to COVID-19. ATO free small business webinars The ATO is offering a range of webinars to assist small businesses. 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. Steps to become a COVID Safe business 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. These steps include: Complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan Register as a COVID Safe business Show that you're COVID Safe COVID-19 Safety Plans COVID-19 Safety Plans are comprehensive checklists designed by NSW Health and approved by the Chief Health Officer. The plans provide clear directions on how businesses and organisations should fulfil their obligations under Public Health Orders to minimise risk of transmission of COVID-19 on their premises. Guidance for businesses with linked COVID-19 cases This page provides information on what you need to do if a COVID-19 case has been linked to your business or organisation. Information includes: If a business is linked to a COVID-19 case Finding out that a COVID-19 case has been linked to your organisation What you need to do if a confirmed COVID-19 case has been linked to your organisation Cleaning guidance Employees returning to work Related information National guide for safe workplaces This guide is to assist persons conducting a business or undertaking meet their work health and safety duties in relation to COVID-19. This document provides guidance to assist businesses determine how best to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. It provides a framework that complements and links to the Safe Work Australia detailed COVID-19 Information for workplaces. 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 will help you understand your rights and responsibilities at work during the impact of coronavirus. The information on this website provides informaiton on: COVID-19 vaccinations and the workplace When workplaces shut down quickly because of a lockdown Pay, leave and stand downs Returning to work and the workplace Health and safety in the workplace Alternative working arrangements Ending employment and redundancy Former JobKeeper Scheme Changes to workplace laws during coronavirus Tools and help during coronavirus Resolving workplace issues during coronavirus This page includes information to help employers and employees understand and follow Australian workplace laws, including: What you can do to help resolve workplace problems COVID-19 vaccinations and workplace problems Disputes about directions, requests or certificates under the JobKeeper scheme Enforcement of the JobKeeper scheme: what Fair Work Ombudsman can help with 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: Planning the return to work Resolving issues when returning to work Managing the return to work and the workplace Directions to return to work and the workplace Visit the Returning to the workplace – interactive employer tool to help employers get their businesses back up and running during coronavirus. The tool gives tailored information to employers on returning to the workplace, scaling up operations and adapting to workplace changes. It can help to find the information you need when: Transitioning employees back to the workplace, including lifting a stand down Changing employees’ hours, duties or work location Introducing alternative working options for staff Keeping up to date with changes to workplace laws. 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: Small business planning tool 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 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: Complete a COVID Safe Check for your business Working from home guidance for employers Occupational violence and customer aggression Application for the NSW Performing Arts COVID Support Package opened on Friday 23 July 2021. The aim of this package is to provide urgent financial support to performing arts venues, producers and promoters impacted by the cancellation or postponement of performances resulting from the NSW Government COVID-19 Public Health Orders from 26 June 2021. The package is also designed to provide certainty to performing arts venues, producers and promoters of what assistance will be available if further COVID-19 Public Health Orders result in further cancellation of performances or restrictions in audience numbers. Funding will cover performances impacted by NSW Government Public Health Orders from 26 June 2021 to 30 September 2021. For a complete list of support and information during the Covid-19 pandemic for the cultural and creative sector announced in 2021, visit www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update ArtsHub provides up to date information and news about COVID-19 impact on the arts. Here you will find a comprehensive list of available grant programs including detail on the NSW Government $75 million lockdown relief package for NSW performing arts orgs. Open from 23 July 2021, the funding will be available to NSW commercial and not-for-profit performing arts organisations and live music venues impacted by cancellation of shows. Create NSW invests in the success and future of arts, screen and culture in NSW through infrastructure and funding programs. To access information relating to Create NSW and COVID-19 funding by NSW and Federal Government for the arts visit: COVID-19 Industry Advisory Note is intended for NAVA Members and colleagues in the contemporary arts sector across Australia. Providing wellbeing support for musicians and music industry professionals, Support Act is helping artists and music workers facing hardship to get back on their feet when they have hit a tough patch or just need breathing space. Visit the website to find out about crisis relief and COVID-19 grants. Create provides links to resources that may assist you to safely manage specific venues and artforms during COVID-19. Please note, current NSW Public Health Orders prevail over any contradictory/conflicting advice in these resources. Visit Ausdance NSW for support on: Visit Creative Business Plus for information on training and support for those working within the creative and cultural industries, including: To access support for your program and to promote cultural initiatives, register with Fbi radio and list on the In It Together: A COVID-19 Community Relief Directory | FBi Radio. Feeling pressured or challenged you can access the wellbeing helpline https://supportact.org.au/get-help/wellbeing-helpline/
Government business support during the 2021 lockdown
New package to support small business during lockdown
How can my business operate?
Working from home
COVID-19 Safety Plans
I need advice and guidance on how to get my business through the crisis.
Introducing your local Mobile Business Concierge
Webinars & Training
What are my obligations in dealing with COVID-19 in my business?
What support is available for the Cultural and Creative Sector?
New package to support NSW Performing Arts during lockdown
Arts and Culture Funding Opportunities
ArtsHub
Create NSW
NAVA (National Association for Visual Artists)
Support Act
Support Resources and Information Sharing:
Australia Council
Create NSW
Ausdance NSW COVID-19 resources
Creative Business Plus
FBi Radio
Stay Well, SUPPORTACT
Arts and Culture COVID-Safe: