What is the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment?
The Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment is a program that provides support for accommodation providers, events venues and tourism operators
affected by ongoing border closures due to COVID-19.
Objective
The primary objective of the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment is to provide one-off financial support to tourism businesses to help cover eligible business expenses incurred in the months of June and July 2021. The intention of the program is to support accommodation providers, events venues and tourism operators who rely heavily on interstate visitors as their primary source of income.
Funding
Businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $10M per annum:
All businesses applying for the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment must be aware of the following:
- Eligible businesses can apply for reimbursement for a maximum of $15,000 plus GST;
- A maximum of $15,000 plus GST is available per ABN;
- Multiple businesses with the same ABN are only eligible for one payment;
- The maximum funding is available only for eligible expenses incurred in June and July 2021.
Businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 per annum:
All eligible businesses applying for the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment must be aware of the following:
- Eligible businesses can apply for reimbursement for a maximum of up to $15,000 plus GST;
- A maximum of $15,000 plus GST is available per ABN;
- Multiple businesses with the same ABN are only eligible for one payment;
- The maximum funding is available only for eligible expenses incurred in June and July 2021.
Eligible Projects
The following expense types are eligible for reimbursement of up to $15,000 plus GST. Costs incurred in June and July 2021 for:
- ACT Government rates, fees and charges;
- Utilities;
- Fuel;
- Insurance premiums;
- Mortgage payments;
- Rent;
- Perishable goods; and/or
- Payroll or income reduction.
Businesses will be asked to provide proof of purchase/payment through the application process.
Eligible Applicants
Businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $10M per annum – Eligible businesses applying for reimbursement payment under the Small Tourism Operator COVID Recovery Payment must be:
- Tour and transport operators and private attractions; or
- Small accommodation and tourism venue operators (hotel and accommodation operators with less than 60 flushing fixtures);
- Registered in the ACT as verified by an ABN and able to demonstrate primary operation in the ACT as at 1 April 2021; and
- Have an annual turnover of between $75,000 to $10 million; and
- Registered for GST before April 2021 as recorded on the Australian Business Register; and
- Have incurred and can demonstrate 30 per cent loss of revenue compared to April 2021;
- Primary business is as a tourism provider within the ACT;
- Have an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing;
- Have current Public Liability Insurance coverage to a minimum level of $10,000,000; and
- Have satisfactorily acquitted all previous grants provided by Economic Development Division (except for current grant programs), including financial acquittals for any other ACT Government agency grant.
Businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 per annum – Businesses that have an annual turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 are eligible to apply if:
- Registered in the ACT as verified by an ABN and able to demonstrate primary operation in the ACT as at 1 April 2021; and
- Have incurred and can demonstrate 30 per cent loss of revenue compared to April 2021;
- You are a small business that consistently has an average turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 per annum;
- Primary business is as a tourism provider within the ACT;
- Have an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing;
- Have satisfactorily acquitted all previous grants provided by Economic Development Division (except for current grant programs), including financial acquittals for any other ACT Government agency grant.
Seasonal tourism businesses – Businesses that are seasonal (eg. winter) should contact Economic Development Division as you may still be eligible to apply if:
- Registered in the ACT as verified by an ABN and able to demonstrate primary operation in the ACT as at April 2021; and
- You have incurred and can demonstrate 30 per cent loss of revenue comparable to a similar time period in 2019 or 2020 (eg. July 2021 revenue losses are to be compared with revenues earned in July 2019 or July 2020);
- May be registered for GST before April 2021 as recorded on the Australian Business Register;
- Primary business is as a tourism provider within the ACT;
- Have an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing;
- Have satisfactorily acquitted all previous grants provided by Economic Development Division (except for current grant programs), including financial acquittals for any other ACT Government agency grant.
- Eligible seasonal businesses can apply for reimbursement for a maximum of $15,000 plus GST;
- A maximum of $15,000 plus GST is available per ABN;
- Multiple businesses with the same ABN are only eligible for one payment.
Timing
Applications close 17 September 2021.
