What is the COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant?
The COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant is a program to support SA employing and non-employing businesses whose turnover has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
Background
The South Australian Government has introduced a further support package for businesses and organisations impacted by the health restrictions that have been in place since 27 December 2021.
The grants in this support package are in ADDITION to both rounds of the Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant and Business Hardship Grant that were announced in December 2021 and January 2022.
On 19 February 2022, the Government of South Australia established the Business Hardship Grant – February 2022 to provide additional assistance to those businesses that continue to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 related trading restrictions.
Funding
Grants of $6,000 for employing businesses and $2,000 for non-employing businesses will be available for businesses that have experienced a decline in turnover of 50% or more as a result of the COVID-19 health trading restrictions introduced from 27 December 2021.
A further grant of $2,000 will be available for eligible businesses (both employing and non-employing) with a commercial premises in the Adelaide CBD. This recognises the increased number of employees working from home (in line with health advice) and the impact this has on CBD businesses. The Adelaide CBD is defined as a commercial premises located in the 5000 postcode.
The Business Hardship Grant – February 2022 provides a grant of up to $11,000 for South Australian businesses that experience a 50% or more decline in turnover in the month of February 2022 compared to an equivalent reference period, due to the impact of COVID-19.
Eligible Projects
Grants are provided to support eligible businesses that have been adversely impacted by restrictions enacted by State or Commonwealth government due to COVID-19. This may include for example:
- Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent;
- Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning;
- Developing the business through marketing and communications activities; and / or
- Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.
Eligible Applicants
Businesses that have experienced a reduction in turnover of 50 per cent or more during the month of February 2022 compared to the relevant comparison period (see turnover decline section below) and meet the following general criteria, can apply for a Business Hardship Grant – February 2022.
At the start of the restriction period of 27 December 2021, businesses must:
- have a valid and active Australian business number (ABN)
- be registered for goods and services tax (GST)
- be located/operating within South Australia
- have an Australia-wide grouped payroll of less than $10 million in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 financial year
- have experienced at least a 50% reduction in turnover due to the restricted trading conditions over the 2 weeks from 27 December 2021 (the commencement date of the trading restriction) to 9 January 2022 compared to:
- the comparable 2 weeks in 2019-20 for businesses actively trading in 2019-20, or
- the comparable 2 weeks in 2020-21 for businesses not actively trading in 2019-20.
Timing
Applications close 31 March 2022.
