Indigenous business assistance during coronavirus
Last updated: 17 April 2020
Additional resources have been announced by the Australian Government and WA Government that will help Indigenous businesses through the coronavirus pandemic.
The support measures are in addition to a range of national and Western Australian business support and stimulus packages already released in response to COVID-19.
Australian Government Indigenous business assistance
The Federal Government has announced $50 million in funding for 12 months from 9 April 2020, to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in Australia during and following the disruption of the pandemic.
The package, to be delivered through Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) will fund Indigenous businesses to:
- get specialist advice to navigate the COVID-19 crisis which may include business positioning assessments, cash flow management guidance and help to access available stimulus measures such as the JobKeeper Payment or the Boosting Cash Flow initiative.
- access a loan/grant working capital stimulus package of up to $100,000. This funding will be assessed on a needs basis and be made up of a grant of up to 50 per cent of the package amount and access to concessional repayments and interest rates terms on loans. The loan terms will be up to 36 months, with zero repayments for the first 12 months.
The assistance will be available to all Indigenous businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Eligible businesses must be at least 50 per cent Indigenous owned with active Indigenous management, and have been established for at least six months. Priority for the working capital stimulus package will be given to Indigenous businesses that may not be eligible for other government stimulus packages.
For more information and registration of interest visit the Indigenous Business Australia website.
Western Australian Aboriginal business support
The Department of Finance is currently developing a list of Aboriginal businesses capable of providing COVID-19 related products or services to the WA Government.
Some examples of relevant goods and services include:
- cleaning products
- commercial cleaning
- food
- health and wellbeing
- human resources
- IT
- logistics
- media
- medical equipment
- office equipment
- PPE and safety
- personal hygiene
Businesses with the relevant capability and experience are invited to complete a survey providing their information and contact details.