Georgia Nelson What NSW spas and clinics can expect from the new business support package.
The NSW Government has announced a support package for small businesses with a turnover of $75,000 to $50 million affected by the Omicron surge.
The package, which targets businesses with a 40 per cent decline in turnover in January, also includes support with buying rapid antigen tests.
Applications will open from mid-February through Service NSW and the support package includes:
- A payment of up to $5,000 per week (20 per cent of weekly payroll)
- Expanding the Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate to $3,000 (currently $2,000)
- Subsidise the cost of rapid antigen tests (RATs) by 50 per cent as part of the rebate
- Commercial landlord relief has been extended until March 13
After the application has been lodged, businesses can expect payments within 15 days.
Treasurer Matt Kean announced the support package yesterday, acknowledging that the Omicron outbreak had proved to be yet another curve ball for small businesses, but that this support will help them “get through to the other side”.
According to Mr Kean, support will be available to sectors that are really struggling: “Those businesses that ply their trade through face-to-face trading, things like hairdressers, nail salons, the tourist industry and also hospitality and bricks and mortar retail.”
Whilst this support is only available to businesses in NSW, Mr Kean has hope that similar relief packages will be announced for other states and territories in Australia.
This announcement will be a sigh of relief to many aesthetics and beauty clinics around NSW. The Aesthetic Beauty Industry Council (ABIC) has been vocal about businesses in the aesthetics sector needing support since the surge of Omicron began.
Their “Worse Than Lockdown” campaign was launched to highlight the loss of income, clients and staff within the industry, with business receiving no government support or acknowledgment. The ABIC has been collaborating with the Council of Small Businesses of Australia over the past two months to request a package from the government to support small business.
“We have been silent for so long,” the ABIC wrote in a post announcing the support packages. “We now finally have a say, and we are now making change happen.”
Stay tuned for further updates.
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