CCIWA has secured government support for small businesses, tenants, property owners, entertainment and hospitality businesses, with the announcement today of a $67 million package.

This latest relief package is a welcome acknowledgement of the impacts of COVID-19 and COVID-19 restrictions, on the efforts of WA business to keep operating.

The new measures include eight programs to manage the implementation of Level 1 public health and social requirements, and build on the $77 million package CCIWA recently secured.

Applications open soon, and we encourage our members to prepare documentation to support their claims.

Small Business Rental Relief Package

• $42m Tenant Rent Relief Scheme providing grants of $3000 (based on $500 per week for six weeks) to eligible small business tenants that can demonstrate a 30 per cent decline in revenue;
• $10.7m Landlord Rent Relief Incentive supporting eligible landlords with $1500 if they voluntarily match the Government’s Tenant Rent Relief payments (find out if you are eligible at the Small Business Development Corporation); and
• $1.5m Tenant Rental Credit Scheme providing a rental waiver or credit of $6000 for eligible small business tenants of Government-owned buildings — agencies will deliver notice to tenants through a rental waiving/credit process.

Outdoor Dining and Entertainment Support Package

• A $5m Alfresco Support Program to reimburse small businesses in the hospitality sector with up to $5000 for eligible costs associated with creating and expanding an alfresco area to meet the requirements of public health and social measures.
• A $3.5m Waiver of Liquor Licensing fees. Liquor licence renewal fees for 2022 will be waived (pro rata for multi-year licensing) and refunds provided for businesses that have already paid their fees. One-off fees for variations to liquor licensing to enable alfresco services will also be waived, and fees for a COVID-19 occasional permit will be waived to permit the sale of takeaway alcohol as part of a takeaway meal.
• A $1.8m Nightclub Assistance Program will provide payments of up to $50,000 (covering a 14-week period) for eligible nightclubs impacted by capacity limits and social distancing.
• A $1.3m Performing Arts, Theatres and Cinemas Assistance Program will provide payments of up to $50,000 in cashflow assistance to a range of independent performing arts venues, theatres and cinemas that have been particularly affected by capacity constraints.

You can check your business’s eligibility for these grants at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

CCIWA knows there are members who are impacted by COVID-19, but aren’t included in these schemes.

We continue to urge the State Government to ensure all impacted businesses are included and to not add further qualifying criteria — rest assured we’ll be working to ensure any increase in COVID restrictions on business are accompanied by increased financial support.

We thank the many CCIWA members who helped us make a stronger case for this support from the Government.

For COVID-19 advice and resources visit CCIWA’s COVID-19 Support Centre.

Our Employee Relations Advice Centre is also available to respond to your questions on (08) 9365 7660, or via [email protected].