Small business support program

The 2022 Small Business Support Program is for the month of February. Businesses will be able to apply through Service NSW from mid-February.

Includes support for eligible businesses that:

• had an aggregated annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2021; and
• experienced a decline in turnover of 40 per cent or more due to Public Health Orders or the impacts of the Omicron COVID-19 strain during the month of January 2022, compared to January 2021 or January 2020; and
• experienced a decline in turnover of 40 per cent or more due to the impacts of the Omicron COVID-19 strain from 1-14 February 2022, compared to the same fortnight in February in the comparison year used for the above criterion; and
• maintain their employee headcount from the date of the announcement of the scheme.
• Eligible businesses will receive 20 per cent of weekly payroll as a lump sum for the month of February, with a minimum payment of $750 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week. Non-employing businesses will receive $500 per week (paid as a lump sum of $2,000).

Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate

Click here to apply for the small business fee and charge rebate.

• The rebate has been increased from $2,000 to $3,000. In addition, eligible employing small businesses will be able to use the rebate to cover half the cost of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).
• The funds can be used not only to offset the cost of RATs, but also other Government fees and charges such as food authority licences, liquor licences, tradesperson licences, event fees, outdoor seating fees, council rates and road user tolls for business use.
• Already registered businesses will receive an automatic top up of $1,000 and newly registering businesses will receive a rebate of $3,000.

Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant

Click here to apply for a commercial landlord hardship grant.

• The protections under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 (the Regulation) for small retail and commercial tenants will be extended for an additional two months, until 13 March 2022.
• Grants of up to $3,000 per month (GST inclusive), per property, are available for eligible landlords who have provided rental relief waivers to affected tenants.
• Rent relief waived must comprise at least half of any rental reduction provided. o Program is expanded in 2022 to landlords who claimed the 2021 land tax relief.
• The Regulation prohibits certain actions by landlords (such as lock out or eviction) unless they have first renegotiated rent with eligible tenants and attempted mediation.

Free RSA training

There are 5000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol courses across NSW for those aged 17 and above. To find out more, please click here. 

Guidance on how to get your business through the crisis

The NSW Government provides support measures and resources to help businesses across the state impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Coronavirus information and support for businesses
• COVID-19 and mental health at work
• FAQs for small business owners
• COVID-19 resources in different languages

Mobile Business Concierge

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. 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.

To get up-to-date information regarding operating your businesses, refer to the NSW Government Public Health Orders.

Current restrictions for businesses in NSW

From the beginning of Friday, 18 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the current settings:

• No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
• QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs, and for all music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
• Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February;
• The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.

From the beginning of Friday, 25 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the settings:

• Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities, and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people;
• Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer-facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services;
• Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as necessary; and
• The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

To access more information relating to COVID-19 please visit:

• COVID-19 positive workers
• Working from home guidance for employees and employers 
• Returning to work and the workplace 
  

• Register your business as COVID Safe
• Getting a COVID-19 Safety Plan
• Posters and signage

Roadmap to Recovery for Business - hosted by Camden Council and Service NSW for Business, 20 October 2021

Webinars

NSW Treasury

In the webinar below, you'll hear from a range of government agencies on the financial support available to businesses affected by the 2021 COVID-19 restrictions, including grants, JobSaver payments, payroll tax support and tenancy support.

• NSW Government COVID-19 Business support webinar - Show transcript
  

Business Connect

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Advice is tailored to your needs to help you achieve your business goals and tackle immediate and long-term challenges. Advisors are accredited professionals with first-hand experience running their own small business.

You can book webinars and events to help your business achieve its potential and access online resources, including on demand webinars, fact sheets and training videos.

Black Dog Institute - Mental Health and Coronavirus Webinar Series

Black Dog Institute is committed to connecting people to the best possible mental health evidence related to COVID-19. To share these insights and resources, they have launched a new Settling the Mind webinar series. These webinars will highlight resources and support for you whether you need information as a worker, health professional, school or community member.

Business Connect webinars

Business Connect has a range of free webinars regarding general business operations. Click here for a full calendar of workshops and seminars.

AusIndustry webinars

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, such as Starting a small business, GST introduction, Cash flow for small business success, and more.

NSW First Program

Destination NSW delivers the NSW First program to assist tourism businesses around the state to develop, promote and sell their tourism products. It includes online live and on-demand webcasts that offer ‘how-to’ insights on a range of topics for the tourism industry, with events to be added to the calendar throughout the year.

Training

Training Services NSW

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

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.

TAFE NSW free and subsidised online courses 

TAFE NSW is supporting small businesses with free online courses and subsidised training programs to help employers rebuild, re-skill and upskill their workers.

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

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

• Help to develop a business plan

• Personalised mentoring

• NEIS Allowance for up to 39 weeks and NEIS Rental Assistance for up to 26 weeks

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.

Zero Barriers 

Zero Barriers is a free business and service support project that works with businesses to eliminate barriers for workers and customers with a disability. Complete a self-assessment to start your journey towards Zero Barriers.