South Australian small and medium-sized businesses that suffer a significant loss of income or have been forced to close as a result of the state’s seven-day lockdown will be offered a $3,000 emergency cash grant. 

The new state government Business Support Package – worth about $100 million – will assist an estimated 50,000 eligible*businesses affected by the heightened restrictions.

It will help businesses cover ongoing operating costs such as rent, power bills, supplier and raw material costs and other fees, and be able to re-open when restrictions ease.

The major support package also includes a new $1,000 cash grant for eligible small businesses who don’t employ staff (eg non-employing sole traders).

“This is an immediate lifeline for small and medium businesses that are the lifeblood of our community and underpin our economy,” says Treasurer Rob Lucas.

“We know this is an incredibly difficult time for many employers and their staff, which is why we are doing everything in our power to help as many businesses as possible get through to the other side of this short lockdown.

Modelled on similar schemes other states, the SA grants apply to businesses with a payroll of less than $10 million, with an annual turnover of $75,000 or more (in 2020-21 or 2019-20) and whose turnover is reduced by at least 30 per cent over the seven days from 20 July 2021 as a result of the lockdown.

Mr Lucas says the government would consider the potential for further support if the lockdown is extended beyond seven days.

The state government will also provide fully-funded income support payments of up to $600 per week for eligible workers in regional SA, who live or work outside of the Commonwealth-declared ‘Hotspot’ local government areas (and, therefore, not entitled to the Federal Government’s $375 or $600 per week support payments).

The Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment scheme provides $375 per week for those workers who have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours’ work, or have lost a full day of work, and $600 per week if a person has lost over 20 hours’ work.

The payments will be paid in arrears for the lockdown and anyone affected can apply through myGOV from Wednesday 28 July.

Mr Lucas says the state government will match the income support payments for workers outside the declared Commonwealth ‘Hotspots’ of Adelaide metro, Hills and Gawler areas.

“Our commitment will ensure South Australian workers whose hours are affected by the current lockdown will be supported, regardless of whether they work in Mitcham or Mount Gambier, Norwood or Nuriootpa, West Beach or Whyalla,” Mr Lucas says.

Information about state government support is on the SA Treasury website and to register interest in business support cash grants, South Australian businesses are encouraged to email.

Applications for the grant are expected to open within the next two weeks via the Treasury website and grants will be processed as quickly as possible.

More information, including how to claim the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment (including the matching income support payment for eligible SA individuals outside the Commonwealth declared hotspots) will be available shortly on the Services Australia website.