More COVID Funding Assistance

July 14th, 2021 Latest News

A new economic support package was announced yesterday by the Prime Minister (the Hon Scott Morrison MP) and NSW Premier (the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP) to assist individuals and businesses that have been negatively affected by the Greater Sydney lockdown.


These support are for employees who lose their jobs or have their hours cut, and incentives for affected businesses to keep their employees on the payroll.


  • Payments to individuals:
    • those losing 8 to 20 hours a week, the payment is increasing from $325 to $375.
    • those losing more than 20 hours of work a week, the payment will now be $600 a week.
    • the liquid assets test that previously applied has been scrapped.
    • affected and eligible employees are to call 180 22 66 to claim.
    • For further information, please refer to the Federal Government's COVID-19 Disaster Payment webpage.
  • Payments to businesses:
    • those with annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million are eligible.
    • those suffering a 30% decline in annual turnover (compared to pre-pandemic times (ie in 2019), the payment will cover up to 40% of their payroll costs up to a maximum of $100,000 a week.
    • to qualify for JobSaver, businesses must not lay off any staff.

Of relevance to the early childhood education and care sector, the NSW Government has also said that:


  • businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 would be able to claim a $1,500 fortnightly payment throughout the lockdown if they had reduced turnover.
  • an extension is applied to the previously announced COVID-19 Business Grants program. This means eligible businesses with Australian wages below $10 million can claim grants between $7,500 and $15,000 to cover the first three-weeks of restrictions.
  • a new grants program for micro businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 which experience a decline in turnover of 30%. The businesses will be eligible for a $1,500 payment per fortnight of restrictions.
  • a requirement on landlords to participate in mediation before taking actions to evict or lock out tenants. Mediation assistance is available via the NSW Small Business Commissioner.


For any further information/clarification, please contact ACA NSW on 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.


PUBLISHED: 14 JULY 2021
UPDATED: 21 JULY 2021

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