Grants, loans and financial assistance

Jobs Plus program

The Jobs Plus program provides support to Australian and international businesses that want to start or expand their operations in NSW. Program support will help reduce the costs and financial risks of growing a business or moving its operations to NSW.

To be eligible for the program, Australian businesses must currently employ at least 20 workers and overseas businesses must employ at least 80 workers. All businesses must be able to create at least 30 net new full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in NSW before 30 June 2024. Further conditions apply.

For more information about eligibility criteria, as well as details about funding, visit Jobs Plus program.

Dine & Discover NSW voucher scheme

The NSW Government has launched a voucher scheme to encourage the community to support hospitality, arts and tourism businesses.

Eligible businesses will be able to register from late January 2021. For more information, visit Dine & Discover NSW.

Export assistance grant

An export assistance grant of up to $10,000 is available to eligible NSW businesses impacted by COVID-19, bushfires or drought, to help you access new global markets or re-enter old ones.

Eligible exporting businesses can apply for 50% reimbursement of certain export-enabling expenses, such as marketing and e-commerce, for expenses already paid since 1 January 2020.

For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Apply for an export assistance grant.

Regional job creation fund

Businesses who want to expand or relocate their operations to regional NSW may be eligible for funding under the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.

The fund provides co-funding for projects that create 5 or more sustainable jobs within regional NSW, including those that:

replace, upgrade or adapt existing plant or equipment, including technology or energy efficiency upgrades
enable existing regional NSW businesses to establish an additional production line
relocate a business from interstate or internationally to regional NSW, or onshore an activity currently being undertaken overseas to regional NSW
develop new tourism experiences and attractions to create new demand in a region.

Applications close Friday 14 May 2021 or when program funding is fully allocated. Businesses must belong to an eligible industry depending on their region.

For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Regional NSW.

Southern border small business support grant

Applications have closed for the Southern border small business support grant of up to $10,000 and are now being processed.

If you have questions about this grant, please call us on 13 77 88.

Small business recovery grant

Applications have closed for the NSW small business COVID-19 recovery grant of up to $3000 and are now being processed.

If you have questions about this grant, please call us on 13 77 88.

Small business support grant

Applications have closed for the NSW small business COVID-19 support grant of up to $10,000 and are now being processed.

If you have questions about this grant, please call us on 13 77 88.

JobKeeper Payment

Small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and employ workers can register to receive the JobKeeper Payment. This payment from the federal government is a subsidy to business owners that enables them to keep paying their workers even when revenue has declined.

The JobKeeper Payment has been extended to 28 March 2021, and rates of payment will be gradually reduced from 28 September as businesses adjust to new market conditions.

For more information, visit JobKeeper Payment.

Small and medium enterprise (SME) guarantee scheme

The Australian Government will guarantee 50% of the value of eligible business loans to small and medium enterprises impacted by COVID-19. Maximum loan value is $250,000 and there will be a repayment-free period of six months. For more information, visit the Australian Banking Association.

Taxi industry support package

The NSW government is providing support for registered owners of wheelchair accessible taxis (WATs) and currently operational taxis, who have been impacted by COVID-19.

The package will provide eligible owners with a subsidy per vehicle to assist with on-road costs such as CTP insurance and registration.

There is no need to apply, a cheque for $2900 will be automatically paid to eligible registered taxi operators.

Note: The taxi must remain registered for 6 months from the date of receiving the payment. If the vehicle is de-registered the support payment may need to be re-paid.

For more detailed information on the stimulus package including eligibility, visit the Point to Point website.

Access to superannuation for sole traders

Sole traders who have suffered a decrease in income of at least 20% as a result of COVID-19 can apply to access their superannuation, to a total value of $10,000 this financial year, and another $10,000 next financial year. Withdrawals are tax free. For more information, visit Early access to superannuation.

Expanded access to JobSeeker payments

Sole traders may apply for JobSeeker benefits, including the Coronavirus supplement, in the event that their income significantly declines. Unemployment testing for sole traders has been temporarily removed to enable sole traders to continue operating their business and access government support. Income testing will apply. For more information, visit JobSeeker Payment.

Electricity and gas network relief package

Small businesses that are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 may be eligible for full electricity and gas tariff relief under a financial support package organised by Energy Networks Australia. Eligibility criteria apply, including usage figures and time limits. For more information, visit Energy Networks Australia.

Financial institutions

The Australian Banking Association has outlined 3 key stages to repayments for eligible business owners who continue to experience financial difficulty as a result of COVID-19. This includes options to pay in full, make partial payments or further hardship assistance. Customers will need to contact their financial institutions to discuss the options available to them.

For details, visit Australian Banking Association or contact your banking institution directly.

Support for independent breweries

Government funding available through the Independent Brewers Association (IBA) will support NSW independent brewers by covering one year’s annual membership funds to eligible new and existing members. For more information, visit the IBA news.

Emergency cleaning stimulus package

The NSW Government is hiring small and medium-sized cleaning businesses to help existing contractors minimise the spread of COVID-19. Additional businesses will enhance cleaning of public infrastructure including schools, TAFE and transport facilities.

Supplementary government cleaning contracts are available for:

general cleaning low-risk areas
enhanced cleaning for COVID-19 risk reduction

environment cleaning of facilities after a suspected COVID-19 diagnosis
cleaning auditing services.

Visit $250 million cleaning stimulus for more information, and if you'd like to register your business, go to eTendering.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturing grants scheme

The NSW Government has announced a $5 million grant scheme to support the local production of critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Grants are available to local manufacturers that can demonstrate their ability to increase or repurpose the production of items, such as masks, gowns, disinfectant, hand wash and soap.

For more information, visit PPE $5 million grants scheme.

Community sport recovery package

Eligible local sporting clubs and associations in NSW can apply for a one-off grant of up to $1000 to support the return of community sport and recreation activities as COVID-19 restrictions ease. For more information, visit Office of Sport.

Support4work grant

The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) Support4work grant of $4000 is available to support eligible small businesses as they manage the recovery at work of an injured worker while the business recovers from the financial impacts of COVID-19.

Eligibility criteria apply. For more information and to apply for the grant, visit Support4work grant for small business guidance

Applications close 31 March 2021.

Opportunity for NSW businesses to help fill the medical supply chain

The NSW Government is seeking expressions of interest from NSW businesses who can supply or make components of urgently needed medical equipment and sanitation aids, including:

hand sanitiser
examination gloves
disinfectant and cleaning products
handwash and soap
masks
eyewear
gowns and protective overalls
paper products, including toilet and tissue paper.

Note: Businesses do not currently have to manufacture the listed products, but should be capable of changing their production lines to supply these products.

Businesses can register their interest online.