Month: July 2021

The NSW Government is providing targeted support for the state’s accommodation sector to ease the pain of lost bookings over the winter school holiday period.
The cash-flow boosting funding will enable eligible accommodation premises that have lost room nights between 25 June and 11 July inclusive to apply for grants up to $5,000.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this $26 million initiative was critically important for accommodation providers with occupancy rates plummeting over the past month.
“It is heartbreaking that this recent outbreak of COVID-19 occurred right on the cusp of the winter school holidays, meaning Sydneysiders, NSW residents and interstate visitors were not able to fulfil their travel plans across the State,” Mr Ayres said.
“The sector has reported a dramatic decline in occupancy rates, with some Sydney properties reporting only two per cent occupancy in July 2021.
“This program is for all eligible accommodation premises across NSW, as the current restrictions not only affect Greater Sydney operators but also those in regional NSW who lost their main source market from metropolitan Sydney or interstate.
“There are more than 38,000 accommodation providers in NSW – from hotels and motels to holiday home rentals. I encourage all businesses to look at the Service NSW website for more information – including detailed eligibility criteria – as it’s published in the coming weeks.”
“The $5.1 billion support package, including up to $4.1 billion from the State Government, announced by the Prime Minister, NSW Premier and NSW Treasurer yesterday will come as a huge relief to many businesses involved in the State’s visitor economy, allowing them to keep staff on and doors open in preparation for our recovery.
“Now it is up to all of us to stop the spread of the virus so we can get back to travelling and enjoying our state’s experiences and attractions as soon as possible, which is what businesses really need.”
There will be two tiers of grants available to accommodation premises through the initiative:
– Tier 1: For accommodation premises that have had a cancellation of 10 room nights or less, there is a grant of $2,000
– Tier 2: For accommodation premises that have had a cancellation of 11 room nights or more, there is a grant of $5,000
To be eligible, businesses must be registered for GST and/or hold an ABN, be located in NSW and the accommodation premises must be an entire property, i.e. not holiday letting of a spare room in a residence.
Where an owner/operator owns multiple accommodation premises (identifiable by differentiated street addresses), each accommodation premises is eligible for the grant.
Accommodation providers can apply for this grant and other support measures such as the COVID-19 Business Grant and business and employee support program. Details of all support initiatives are available on the Service NSW website.

The Morrison Government will provide additional support for New South Wales by allowing childcare services to waive gap-fees for parents keeping their children at home due to current COVID-19 restrictions.
Under current NSW restrictions child care services can remain open to provide care for those who need it, but we know that many parents choose to keep their children home.
From Monday July 19, childcare centres in New South Wales Local Government Areas subject to stay at home orders can waive gap-fees on the days that parents choose to keep their children at home. The gap fee is the difference between the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) the Government pays to a service and the remaining fee paid by the family.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said around 216,000 families across Greater Sydney that access childcare services could benefit from this measure.
“When gap-fees are waived families will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for those days that their children are at home during the current stay at home period,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is another measure that will make life easier for many families in Greater Sydney during these challenging times.
“This adds to the significant financial support we have already announced in conjunction with the NSW Government to back families and businesses, and provide additional mental health support.”
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said many in the sector had been asking for this change and were expected to offer the gap-fee waiver.
“This opt-in measure ensures children remain enrolled in care and the Commonwealth childcare subsidy continues to flow to the centre, providing a valuable, stable and certain source of revenue during this time,” Minister Tudge said.
“Previous lockdowns show that even when child care remains open, there is an understandably strong preference to keep kids at home.
“We are easing some of the pressure on families and encouraging them to keep their children enrolled, guaranteeing the continued flow of child care subsidy to service providers.
“Importantly, this means providers can keep their staff employed so business can continue as usual when the stay at home orders end.
“Today’s decision will also support Outside School Hours Care sector, which is under particular pressure while school students are learning from home.”
The measure builds on the existing gap fee waiver that is currently in place until 31 December 2021, where gap fees can be waived if a service is directed to close due to public health advice.
Families experiencing a loss of income, such as casual workers or those in self-isolation, may also be eligible for support through the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship).
The Morrison Government has committed around $3 billion to support the early childhood education and care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Local Government Areas are: Bayside, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Wollondilly, Wollongong and Woollahra.

The NSW Government has welcomed new support measures announced by the Federal Government for Early Childhood Education services impacted by stay at home orders in Greater Sydney.
The Federal Government will waive gap-fees on days that parents and carers choose to keep their children at home.
Families receive a Commonwealth Child Care Subsidy (CCS) based on their needs. The gap-fee is the amount families need to pay to make up the difference between their subsidy and the cost of the service.
NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell welcomed the additional support and said it would bring relief to families and services during this difficult time.
“Early childhood services play a critical role in the education of our children and supporting families. They remain open for families across NSW who need their services, so it is imperative they are supported,” Ms Mitchell said.
“From Monday, more than 216,000 families will be eligible to benefit from the waiver, easing some of the pressure and making life easier over the next few weeks.
“For families, waiving the gap-fee will support them financially and remove any pressure they might feel to unenroll their children from their local service.
“Services rely on enrollments to access Commonwealth funding, so keeping children enrolled ensures funding for services continues, maintaining a reliable income during lockdown.”
Outside School Hours Care services will also benefit from the assistance.
“The NSW Government has been working with the sector to find avenues of support during the lockdown and I am pleased we are seeing results for such an important sector. It’s a win for families, providers and educators.”
The NSW Government is continuing to support young families through its $150 million free preschool program.

Eligible commercial tenants and landlords will receive greater support and certainty during the current restrictions with the NSW Government acting quickly to implement the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 as part of the $5.1 billion COVID-19 economic support package.
Commercial and retail landlords will be required to attempt mediation before taking certain actions, such as recovering a security bond, locking out or eviction against a tenant impacted by the Public Health Orders.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said this would provide certainty for businesses and landlords in this challenging time.
“One of the biggest issues right now for so many small businesses right across NSW is rent. This package says to landlords and tenants before you take any action, sit down, talk to each other and come to an agreement on what the next few weeks looks like,” Mr Tudehope said.
“It could be a payment plan, a reduction in rent, or an agreement not to take any action until restrictions end, but we all need to work together to ensure small businesses get through this lockdown and continue to create jobs, deliver vital services for local communities and power our economy forward.”
A $2 million boost to the NSW Small Business Commission will support additional staff to meet the demand for mediations and assist retail and commercial tenants and landlords.
“During the health pandemic we have seen applications for mediation increase with 2,600 applications received and approximately 90 per cent of the underlying issues resolved before or during formal mediation. The Commission is ensuring a cost-effective, timely and independent process for landlords and businesses to seek assistance on a way forward,” Mr Tudehope said.
As part of the $5.1 billion COVID-19 economic support package, commercial and retail landlords will also be eligible for payments of up to 100 per cent of their land tax owed in 2021, when they provide their tenants with at least that amount in rent reductions from July 13.
“Whether it’s direct grants, financial assistance to keep staff, payroll tax relief, or support for our vulnerable communities, our first priority is the health and safety of our local communities,” Mr Tudehope said.
“This package will help small businesses and landlords to work together to get through this challenging time.”
The Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 can be found here: Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 (nsw.gov.au)
For more information on mediation support and the Small Business Commission visit: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/
For more information on the $5.1 billion support package visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

A vision to make NSW the leading cyber security state in the Asia Pacific region is a step closer with the NSW Government’s Jobs Plus Program committing to support the development of Macquarie Telecom’s Sovereign Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Centre of Excellence, to be located within the Macquarie Park Innovation District, would create immediate jobs and deliver on significant opportunities to grow NSW’s workforce of cybersecurity experts into the future.
“The planning, build and deployment of cyber security infrastructure for the Centre will create more than 1,200 immediate indirect jobs and an initial 31 highly skilled specialist roles to run and operate the centre by 2024,” Mr Ayres said.
“Through Investment NSW, the Jobs Plus Program will support Macquarie Telecom Group with infrastructure rebates and payroll tax relief, delivering immediate job opportunities as well as many opportunities to attract further investment in the industries of the future.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the project would also enable the government to expand upon its Strategy to establish world-class cyber security infrastructure and capabilities in NSW.
“In May we launched the NSW Cyber Security Strategy and committed to partnering with industry to cultivate a thriving cyber sector by creating jobs, educating students and building infrastructure,” Mr Dominello said.
“This project will create valuable long-term jobs in the digital and cyber security sector and deliver sovereign data centres in NSW, supporting our ambition of making NSW the cybersecurity capital of the Southern Hemisphere.”
Macquarie Telecom Group CEO David Tudehope said that “this is an investment in developing long term jobs of the future as well as building sovereign security skills and capabilities in NSW. This new infrastructure will further enhance our offering to government and major corporate clients to protect against cyber threats and keep their data safe.”
The Jobs Plus Program, delivered through Investment NSW, provides eligible companies with support, including payroll tax relief, streamlined planning approval and subsidised training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation.
Australian businesses that employ 20 or more staff and international companies with at least 80 employees looking to create a minimum of 30 jobs before June 2024 are eligible to apply for Jobs Plus. To check your eligibility and find out more, visit https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/jobs-plus-program.

Not-for-profit and commercial performing arts organisations, as well as live music venues can now apply for funding to keep the lights on and staff and performers in jobs thanks to the NSW Government’s $75 million stimulus package.
The funding forms part of the up to $5.1 billion package announced yesterday to keep businesses in business and people in jobs during the greater Sydney lockdown.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the funding will provide an immediate cash injection and future certainty for those organisations reliant on box office sales.
“The NSW Government is providing a remarkable shot in the arm to the performing arts and live music sector. We understand the critical role the performing arts and live music sectors play in stimulating the economy and creating jobs,” Mr Harwin said.
“As we work our way through the latest outbreak in NSW we want to ensure these organisations can survive the lockdown, and are ready to thrive once it is safe for restrictions to be lifted.”
President of Live Performance Australia Richard Evans welcomed the NSW Government’s package saying it would provide a much-needed financial boost at a time when the sector needed it the most.
“Today’s announcement is incredibly welcome and timely news. Across the State, sold out performances have had to be cancelled, this funding will allow organisations to continue paying staff and performers, and plan ahead for the coming months,” Mr Evans said.
The latest $75 million support package is in addition to the $50 million Rescue and Restart funding announced in 2020.
Funding will be available to NSW commercial and not-for-profit performing arts organisations, as well as live music venues impacted by the cancellation of shows.
For information on how to apply, please visit www.create.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Government has announced new support for renters and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, including up to $210 million in grants to eligible landlords.
Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium, which will be implemented through legislative changes.
Residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants can apply for a grant of up to $1,500 or land tax reductions depending on their circumstances. The land tax relief will be equal to the value of rent reductions provided by landlords to financially distressed tenants, up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability;
Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said the short-term tenancy and landlords support package will provide renters and landlords with immediate assistance during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“We know a lot of people are currently experiencing hardship and the NSW Government is here to stand with renters and landlords while we work together to get through the latest COVID-19 outbreak,” Mr Anderson said.
“Our number one priority is the health and safety of our communities and this package will provide support for both tenants and landlords, ensuring renters continue to have a roof over their heads while maintaining rental incomes for landlords.
“We are putting in place measures to prevent tenants financially impacted by COVID-19 restrictions from being evicted, creating stability while the State and Federal support measures roll out.”
Mr Anderson said the new package will, for the first time, provide a rental subsidy grant of up to $1,500 for landlords who offer rent reductions to COVID-19 impacted tenants.
“We have always urged renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 to negotiate and now, thanks to the NSW Government, we expect these negotiations will be easier with landlords to be reimbursed up to $1,500 per tenancy when they reduce a tenant’s rent,” Mr Anderson said.
“These measures hinge on landlords and tenants working together through this challenging period and we encourage both parties to enter negotiations in good faith.
“The impacts of this virus are widespread and this assistance package from the NSW Government will create an extra layer of certainty and give people one less thing to worry about.”
For more information visit: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
The rental assistance package is just one part of the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting our communities through COVID-19.
For more information on NSW Government support visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-1

Given the ongoing number of infectious cases in the community, the current lockdown will be extended for at least another two weeks until 11:59pm on Friday, 30 July.
We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required.
This means the restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place until this time.
In these areas, online learning for students will also continue for an additional two weeks.
We understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience.
It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community.
Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged.
For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19