COVID-19 business grants
Closed: Small Business Hardship Grants (Expanded Program)
The Small Business Hardship Grants Program is designed to provide financial support for businesses most impacted by Level 2 public health and social measures that came into effect on 3 March 2022.
On 27 April 2022 a revision and expansion of the program was announced. Two tiers of grants will now be available to businesses that experienced a decrease in turnover for a consecutive two-week period between 1 January and 30 April 2022:
- A revised tier for businesses that experienced a decline in business turnover of 40 per cent (reduced from the original 50 per cent decline) or more.
- A new tier for businesses that experienced a decline in business turnover of 30 per cent or more.
To be eligible for the Small Business Hardship Grants, businesses must:
- Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
- Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000, excluding GST.
- Be able to demonstrate a reduction in turnover for any consecutive two-week period between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021*.
- For the 40 per cent tier, a reduction of at least 40 per cent.
- For the 30 per cent tier, a reduction of at least 30 per cent.
*An alternative period in 2021 may be used if the business did not operate at that time or it provides an inaccurate representation of the business' financial situation.
Eligible applicants will receive a tiered grant payment, dependant on their reduction in turnover and the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees of the business. For the purpose of this calculation, the business owner is excluded from the FTE calculation. The following grant tiers are available:
| Number of FTEs | New tier 30% decrease |
Revised tier 40% turnover decrease |
|---|---|---|
| Non-employing (business owner, no additional employees) | $3,750 | $5,000 |
| Micro businesses (business owner, plus 1-5 employees) | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Small businesses (business owner, plus 6-19 employees) | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Medium businesses (business owner, plus 20+ employees) | $37,500 | $50,000 |
This program is open to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria. Applicants may only be found eligible for one tier of the Small Business Hardship Grants (Expanded Program).
Previous applicants for this program do not need to reapply. Your application will be reassessed in line with the new decrease in turnover criteria and you be notified if your eligibility status has changed.
Applications for this grant have now closed.
Read the Small Business Hardship Grants Program information
Payroll tax waiver
Larger hospitality businesses that have a payroll of between $4 million and $20 million will be eligible for a three-month payroll tax waiver if they have experienced at least a 40 per cent drop in turnover over any four week period between January 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022, comparable to the same period last year.
Closed: Tenant Rent Relief Scheme
Small business tenants can apply for rental relief grants of $3,000 via the Tenant Rent Relief Scheme.
To be eligible for the Rent Relief small business must meet the following criteria:
- Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000.
- Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
- Be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive time frame between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021. An alternative period in 2021 may be used if the business did not operate at that time or it provides an inaccurate representation of the business' financial situation.
- Provide proof of tenancy (lease) in WA (excluding Government tenants).
Applications for this grant have now closed.
Closed: Landlord Rent Relief Incentive
Landlords who voluntarily match the Government’s Tenant Rent Relief payments of $3,000 per tenant may be eligible for an incentive payment of $1,500.
Applications will only be accepted from landlords once a tenant has been found eligible for the Tenant Rent Relief Scheme payment, with landlords directly invited via email to apply for the grant.
Applications for this grant have now closed.
Closed: Tenant Rental Credit Scheme (State Government tenants)
Business tenants of State Government buildings (including Government Trading Enterprises) will be offered rent relief of $6,000 provided they meet the following criteria:
- Have an annual turnover of more than $50,000.
- Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Have an Australia-wide payroll of less than $4 million.
- Be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent reduction in revenue for any four-week consecutive time frame between 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022, compared to the equivalent period in 2021. An alternative period in 2021 may be used if the business did not operate at that time or it provides an inaccurate representation of the business' financial situation.
- Provide proof of tenancy (lease) of a WA Government-owned building in WA.
Small Business tenants of State Government buildings who believe they may be eligible should contact their landlord agency or representative to ensure that the agency has provided your details to the SBDC.
If so you will receive an email from the SBDC to commence an application. If you are a sub-tenant to a tenant of a State Government building you are not eligible for this Scheme, but may be eligible for the Tenant Rent Relief Scheme.
Applications for this grant have now closed.
City Events Grants Program
A $4 million event grants program will offer funding of up to $100,000 for eligible businesses, property owners and not-for-profits to run a wide range of events in city venues. As part of the grants program, successful recipients will be able to apply to the State Government for the use of locations such as Elizabeth Quay, Yagan Square and the Cultural Centre Precinct.
The event grants will be available from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, with applications opening next month.
Federal Government support packages
The Regional Small Business Support Program provides free financial counselling to regional small businesses affected by COVID-19. In Western Australia, this program is administered by Rural West and is available until 31 March 2023.
Fraudulent grant applications
Do you have information about a fraudulent attempt to benefit from a COVID-19 grant? To make an anonymous online report, visit the Crime Stoppers WA 'COVID-19 Grant Fraud - Make a Report' page.
