WA State Government Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package

Posted on 2nd March 2022 by Christabelle Harris

The McGowan Government has today announced a $72 million package for businesses most impacted by Level 2 public health and social measures, taking the total committed to COVID business support to almost $1.7 billion.

The Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package includes a $66.8 million Small Business Hardship Grants Program, $2.8 million of payroll tax relief for large hospitality businesses and $2.1 million for a COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program.

The Small Business Hardship Grants Program will provide tiered grants to businesses that have a 50 per cent or greater reduction in turnover for any four week period between January 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022, relative to the same period last year. This will include:

• $3,000 grant for sole traders (no employees);
• $7,500 grant for micro businesses (those with one to five employees);
• $20,000 grant for small businesses (those with six to 19 employees); and
• $50,000 for medium-sized businesses (those with 20 or more employees and with an annual payroll of up to $4 million). 

This program will provide support to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria – including the hospitality, arts and events industries.

This follows support provided through a number of recent arts and events support programs, including the revamped $10 million Getting the Show Back on the Road+ program, $3 million Event Suppliers Support Program, the $1.3 million Performing Arts, Theatres and Cinemas Assistance Program, and an additional $9 million to attract major events to WA.

Eligible businesses that apply and receive funding from other recent business support programs, including the Level 1 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package, are also eligible to receive grants from the Level 2 package.

Large hospitality businesses with payrolls of between $4 million and $20 million will receive a three-month payroll tax waiver if they have experienced at least a 50 per cent drop in turnover over any four week period between January 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022, comparable to the same period last year.

The $2.1 million COVID-19 Commercial Sporting Franchises Support Program includes a $35,000 rebate per game for venue hire costs until June 30, 2022, for commercial sporting franchises, such as the Perth Glory, Perth Wildcats, Perth Lynx and the Western Force.

This program also includes the waiver of public transport charges for home games for these teams in March – and a 50 per cent concession on public transport costs for events in April.

This waiver of public transport charges will also benefit a number of upcoming live music events.

It is expected that applications to these programs will open later this month. If you require any assistance in assessing your eligibility, or believe you are eligible for the package and require assistance in applying, please contact one of our Team on (08) 9316 7000 to discuss.