2022 Small Business Support Program
If you are a business, sole trader or not-for-profit organisation in NSW and have been impacted by the recent COVID-19 wave, you may be eligible for the 2022 Small Business Support Program payment.
Eligible businesses will receive one payment covering a 4-week period of February 2022 to assist in maintaining their NSW employee headcount. Note, businesses will not receive payment for January 2022.
Employing Businesses
Will receive a payment equivalent to 20% of weekly payroll for work performed in NSW. The minimum payment is $750 per week, the maximum payment is $5,000 per week. Weekly payroll should be determined by referring to the most recent BAS provided to the ATO for a period in 2021-22 financial year.
Non-Employing Businesses
Such as a sole trader, may be eligible to receive payment of $500 per week. Weekly payroll should be determined by referring to the most recent BAS provided to the ATO for a period in 2021-22 financial year.
What You Can Use This Payment For
Eligible businesses can utilise the funds to cover business costs incurred as a result of the impacts of the Omicron wave, including:
Salaries and wages
Utilities and rent
Financial, legal or other advice
Marketing and communications
Perishable goods
Other business costs
Eligibility
Your business or not-for-profit organisation must:
have had an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2021 or 30 June 2020
have experienced a decline in turnover of 40% or more due to the impacts of COVID-19:
during January 2022, compared to January 2021 or January 2020
from 1 to 14 February 2022, compared to the same fortnight in February 2021 or February 2020
for employing businesses, maintain your employee headcount from 30 January to 28 February 2022
for non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, show that the business is the primary income source (50% or more of the total income) for the associated person. If you have more than one non-employing business, you can only claim payments for one business.
To apply, you must declare that you meet the eligibility criteria and:
submit your most recently lodged Australian income tax return, with tax file numbers redacted, demonstrating an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020 or 30 June 2021, or for registered charities, your ACNC Annual Information Statement
provide evidence of how the weekly payroll amount was calculated, through:
your most recent BAS or IAS within the 2021–22 financial year,
your 2020-21 payroll tax reconciliation return, or
a copy of your business's payroll report filed using Single Touch Payroll (STP).
provide other supporting documents as outlined in section 6 of the guidelines, which may include:
letter of authority, if you are not listed as an associate on the Australian Business Register
a letter from your accountant, tax agent or BAS agent to verify your business's 40% decline in turnover during the month of January 2022 (you may use our accountant's letter template)
audited profit and loss statements
receipts and invoices from purchases
NSW payroll tax reconciliation returns
identify how the public health order has directly impacted the turnover of the business.
If your business is not on the list of industries directly impacted by public health orders, you’ll also need to:
submit evidence, such as Business Activity Statements, Instalment Activity Statements, or a letter from a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent, to demonstrate a decline in turnover of 40% or more during January 2022, compared to January 2020 or January 2021.
Note: you do not have to provide evidence of your decline in turnover for the month of February 2022, but you must declare this decline in turnover when you submit your application.
Businesses submitting an Australian income tax return for the year ended 30 June 2020 as proof of aggregated annual turnover may be asked to provide additional proof that they operated in the 12 months prior to 31 January 2022. This may include:
commercial rates notice
lease agreements
utility bills
insurance papers.
If you are a non-employing accounting business you must submit a letter from a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent that is not an employee or director of your business, an associated entity of your business, or a director or employee of an associated entity of your business.
Auditing Requirements
Successful applicants may be subject to an audit, where Service NSW request a combination of the following:
accountant’s letter
prior BAS statements
income tax declarations
audited profit and loss statements
receipts and invoices from purchases
NSW payroll tax reconciliation returns.
You'll need to keep all documentary evidence relied upon in your application for a minimum of 5 years.
How to Apply
Visit Service NSW Covid-19 Services Page for 2022 Small Business Support Program
Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
Have your documentation and evidence ready for uploading.
Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
Follow the prompts to apply for the 2022 Small Business Support Program.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this, please call 13 77 88.
Your application will be reviewed by Service NSW, and if approved you will receive funds to the specified bank account within 5-10 business days from the approval date.