Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham

A new jointly-funded package from the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments will give local small and medium tourism and hospitality related businesses impacted by ongoing trading restrictions and border closures, further financial support.

A COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Grant will also be introduced for those businesses that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but have not been eligible for previous small business grants provided since July’s 7-day lockdown.

The new COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant and COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant programs will deliver about an extra $15 million in support to an estimated 3,500 local businesses.

The package will be split on a 50:50 basis between the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments, with the State Government to administer the program.

The new package includes:

• A COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant for businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors (and other sectors such as performing arts, creative artists, taxis and car rental) that have already received the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant as follows:
  • A grant of $3,000 for employing businesses with turnover less than $2 million
  • A grant of $10,000 for employing businesses with turnover of greater than $2 million
  • A grant of $20,000 for employing businesses with turnover of greater than $5 million
  • A grant of $1,000 for non-employing businesses
• A new COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant of $6,000 for employing businesses with annual payrolls below $10 million and $2,000 for non-employing businesses who have experienced a minimum 50 per cent reduction in turnover over the eligible period and haven’t been eligible for previous business grant support since July 2021.

In addition, the South Australian Government is increasing its State funded Major Events Support Grant, to provide grants of up to $100,000 for large cancelled or postponed events, where attendees at the event were expected to be greater than 10,000, recognising the significant costs incurred with large events. For eligible events that have already applied for the $25,000 grant, they will now receive a top up of up to a further $75,000 to bring total assistance to $100,000.

The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this package comes on top of the Morrison Government's $9.5 billion in direct economic support to South Australian households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.

"Tourism and hospitality businesses have done it particularly tough as South Australia feels the impact of lockdowns in neighbouring states."

"That's why the Morrison Government is increasing support to these businesses and industries that need it most."

"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."

"And as we progress towards our vaccinations targets of 70 to 80 per cent, the Morrison Government will continue to work closely with the Marshall Government to support South Australian businesses through this challenging time.”

“We will continue to work with the Marshall Government to ensure the South Australian economy bounces back.”

Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said: “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,” Premier Marshall said.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said: “This support will provide a helping hand to businesses in SA, particularly those in the tourism and hospitality industries, who continue to face challenging times as a result of ongoing restrictions.

“South Australian businesses have shown incredible resilience throughout this crisis. We’ve been with them every step of the way with unprecedented levels of support and continue to provide targeted assistance to those businesses still doing it tough.

“As we move towards vaccination rates that will allow us to further open up, this support will ensure businesses are there on the other side to employ more South Australians and contribute to our ongoing economic recovery.”

South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas said the new programs were in addition to the jointly-funded Federal/State assistance program, announced in August, following the 7-day lockdown in July.

“Already more than $77 million in cash grants has been paid to over 27,000 businesses – from bakeries, butchers and hairdressers to beauty salons, gyms and automotive repairers - as we work to get the money out the door and into the pockets of hardworking businesses as quickly as possible.”

COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant payments of $3,000 for employing businesses and $1,000 for non-employing businesses will be automatically paid to businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have already received the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant. It is expected that these grants will be paid within a week. Applications for the new COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant and larger COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grants will open 17 September 2021 and will close on 31 October 2021.

For more information: https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/COVID-19