Apply for the small business COVID-19 support grant

The NSW Government is providing financial support to ease the pressures on small business as a result of COVID-19.

If your small business or non-profit organisation has experienced a significant decline in revenue as a result of COVID-19, you may be eligible for the small business support grant of up to $10,000.

This grant supports the ongoing operations of small businesses highly impacted from the COVID-19 pandemic following the NSW Public Health Order of 31 March 2020. Funds may only be used for unavoidable business expenses that are not supported by other government funding. These expenses include, but are not limited to:

• utilities  

• council rates 

• telecommunication charges 

• insurance payments 

• professional advice 

• wages for an employee not eligible for JobKeeper payments 

• franchise fees 

• paying creditors, if your business is closing.

To be eligible for this grant, you must:  

• be based in NSW 

• be a small business (see guidelines) 

• be registered with an ABN as at 1 March 2020 

• have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (a Business Activity Statement must be provided as evidence) 
  
  Where a small business does not submit a BAS to the Australian Tax Office, and meets all other criteria, the small business should contact Service NSW to discuss further. In these cases, an income tax declaration may be accepted as evidence of an annual turnover of $75,000. 

• employ 1-19 full-time workers as at 1 March 2020  

• be able to report a payroll below the NSW 2019-2020 payroll tax threshold of $900,000 

• have been highly impacted by Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 effective on 31 March 2020 

• have experienced at least 75% decline in turnover compared to the same two-week period in 2019, as a result of COVID-19 (for businesses that have been in operation for less than 12 months, refer to the guidelines) 

• have unavoidable business costs not otherwise the subject of other NSW and Commonwealth Government financial assistance measures.

Businesses not in the highly impacted industries

If your business is not in one of the highly impacted industries (as listed in the guidelines) but you can demonstrate a significant disruption to your business resulting in a 75% reduction in turnover as a result of the Public Health Order 2020, you may be eligible for this grant. You will require a letter from your accountant confirming you meet a number of criteria (refer to the guidelines).

If you are a sole trader and you do not employ staff, you are not eligible for this assistance. Please visit our information on JobSeeker payments.  

If you are unsure if you meet these criteria, we encourage you to speak with a Business Concierge or seek financial advice to understand what assistance you may be able to access. 

• a MyServiceNSW Account
• your proof of identity
• your valid ABN/ACN number
• your business banking details for payment
• latest Business Activity Statement (BAS).

In addition, you will need to provide a declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria, including at least a 75% decline in turnover compared to the same 2-week period in 2019.

If your business is not in one of the highly impacted industries (as listed in the guidelines) but you can demonstrate a significant disruption to your business resulting in a 75% reduction in turnover as a result of the Public Health Order 2020, you may be eligible for this grant. You will require a letter from your accountant confirming you meet a number of criteria (refer to the guidelines).

Auditing requirements

Following receipt of funds, eligible applicants may be required to demonstrate the decline in turnover was a result of COVID-19. Evidence could be in the form of, but not limited to:

• letter from your business accountant
• proof of reduced customer numbers
• proof of changes to business operations due to implementation of social distancing rules
• proof of increased costs associated with public health protection measures.

You may be audited in the future, so you will need to keep all documentary evidence related to your application, and assistance provided under the scheme, for a minimum of 5 years. 

As part of an audit, you may be required to provide evidence (for example, official receipts) that you have used funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of this grant.

It is a criminal offence to deliberately provide false information. Applicants who receive funds for which they are ineligible will be subject to recovery by Revenue NSW. 

You'll need to provide 2 proof of identity documents from the below list:

• Australian driver licence 

• Medicare card 

• Australian passport 

• overseas passport 

• Australian birth certificate 

• Australian citizenship certificate 

• ImmiCard 

• DHS concession card 

• travel visa 

• DFAT issued UN Travel document 

• DFAT issued Certificate of Identity.

Note: Proof of identity documents will be digitally validated using the Document Validation Service (DVS). The Australian Government's DVS verifies key government-issued documents. 

1. Gather all your documentation and evidence and have it ready for uploading. You cannot save and resume your application once you have started.
2. Check the eligibility criteria.
3. Select the 'Apply online' button.
4. Log in or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
5. Select and verify your identity documents.
6. When your identity is verified, select 'Continue with application'.
7. Enter the required information and upload any supporting documents.
8. Enter your insurance details (if applicable).
9. Enter your bank details.
10. Review your application.
11. Check the Declaration boxes.
12. You'll be sent a confirmation email.
13. If additional information to support your claim is required, you'll be notified.
14. If your application is approved, payment will be transferred within 10 business days.

If you're not able to apply online, please call 13 77 88.