Further support on the way for South Australian SMEs

Two new business grants have been announced today for small and medium businesses in South Australia, with the programs to deliver an additional $15 million in financial support to an estimated 3,500 local companies.

The new COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant will provide support for numerous sectors, including the performing arts, creative artists, taxis and car rentals.

The COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant has been introduced for businesses that have been significantly impacted by restrictions but were not deemed eligible for previous small business grants provided since July’s one-week lockdown.

Funding will be split evenly between the Commonwealth and SA governments, with the grant programs to offer:

• $3,000 for employing businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million
• $10,000 for employing businesses with a turnover of greater than $2 million
• $20,000 for employing businesses with a turnover of greater than $5 million
• $1,000 for non-employing businesses

Businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have already received the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant will also receive $3,000 (employing businesses) and $1,000 (non-employing businesses). It is expected that the grants will automatically be paid within a week.

A COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Grant will also be introduced for businesses that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but have not been eligible for previous small business grants provided since SA's seven-day lockdown in July.

Employing businesses with payrolls below $10 million will be eligible to access $6,000, with $2,000 for non-employing businesses who have experienced a minimum 50 per cent reduction in turnover during the eligible period and have not been eligible for previous grant support since July.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this package comes on top of the Morrison Government's $9.5 billion in direct economic support to South Australian households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.

"Already, the Commonwealth has provided $50 million in COVID-19 disaster payments to South Australia, supporting the incomes of around 86,000 individuals and in partnership with the State Government, committed more than $36 million to small and medium-sized businesses over course of the recent lockdowns," said Frydenberg.

"But there is light at the end of the tunnel. By sticking to the National Plan, agreed to by State and Territory leaders, we can safely ease restrictions and open up our economy."

The State Government is also increasing its Major Events Support Grant, with up to $100,000 available for large cancelled or postponed events where the event was expected to host 10,000 attendees or more.

For eligible events that already applied for the $25,000 grant in July, a top-up of $75,000 will be provided.

“We have recently been recognised as the most liveable place in the nation and our COVID recovery plan is focussed on standing shoulder-to-shoulder with small businesses as we navigate our way out of the global pandemic,” says Premier Steven Marshall.

“While we have more South Australians employed than ever before in the history of the state, there is no doubt many businesses have been doing it tough during the global pandemic.

"These new grants will further support our hardworking small businesses who are the backbone of the state’s economy.”

Applications for both new grant programs open on 17 September and close on 31 October.

“South Australian businesses have shown incredible resilience throughout this crisis,” Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said.

“We’ve been with them every step of the way with unprecedented levels of support and continue to provide targeted assistance to those businesses still doing it tough.

“As we move towards vaccination rates that will allow us to further open up, this support will ensure businesses are there on the other side to employ more South Australians and contribute to our ongoing economic recovery.”

Pfizer bookings are now open to children aged 12 and over in SA

From today everyone aged 12 and older in South Australia will be eligible to book an appointment for a Pfizer vaccine in the State’s clinics.

SA Health has made an additional 60,000 appointment slots available, with capacity at Wayville vaccination clinic to be doubled. 

Pfizer appointments at state-run clinics are also open to over 60s from today.

The expansion comes as SA nears 60 per cents of the population over the age of 16 having received at least one dose of the vaccine.

SA has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 overnight. 

Updated at 10.11am AEST on 13 September 2021.

This update is brought to you by Employment Hero.

Click here to go to Employment Hero’s COVID-19 Resource Hub for essential resources to help employers, managers and HR specialists navigate the ongoing pandemic.