COVID-19 has been a public health emergency we’ve never encountered before. This crisis has dramatically changed the way we live and work, and has severely impacted our economy. Businesses across New South Wales have been heavily impacted by COVID-19. We have introduced the Small Business Support Fund to support small businesses.
The fund provides financial support to ease the pressures on small business as a result of the pandemic. If a small business or non-profit organisation has experienced a significant decline in revenue as a result of COVID-19, it may be eligible for a small business support grant of up to $10,000.
This grant support the ongoing operations of small businesses that have been highly impacted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds may only be used for unavoidable business expenses that are not supported by other government funding. Some of expenses include utilities, council rates, insurance payments and franchise fees. Since the launch of the fund, more than 10,000 small businesses have been approved for grants up to $10,000. One can seamlessly apply for this fund via Service NSW.
We’ve also expanded the Business Connect Program. The program offers free-of-charge advice and access to online workshops, including more than 60 webinars. Some of the webinars include developing a customised recovery strategy, managing your cashflow and building a successful online store.