On Monday 13^th September, The South Australian State Government announced introduction of two new business support grants to assist small and medium business across the state. The programs will deliver an extra $15 million in financial support to an estimated 3,500 local businesses.

The newly announced Covid-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grantwill provide support for numerous sectors, including the performing arts, creative artists, taxis and car rentals.

The second grant which is called theCovid-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 that are part of the eligible tourism and hospitality sectors who 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.

Employing South Australian businesses who have payrolls below $10 million will be eligible to access $6,000. $2,000 will be available for non-employing businesses who have experienced a minimum 50 percent 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 Australian 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. 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,” said Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

The South Australian Government is also expanding its Major Events Support Grant. This means that up to $100,000 will be made 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, an increase 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. 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,” said South Australian Premier Shaun Marshall.

Applications for the two new grant programs opened on Friday 17^th September and will close on Sunday 31^st October.