NSW Regional Lockdown

The NSW Government announced a state-wide minimum 7-day lockdown commencing at 5pm Saturday 14/08/2021. This lockdown will place significant financial pressure on many businesses. HQB is working with a mix of staff in-office & from home so we can still provide assistance to you at this time.
The below is a brief summary if you are impacted by the lockdown and require assistance.

Grants Available
As discussed in our newsletter published 13^th August 2021, the below grant options are available to NSW businesses effected by Covid. HQB can now lodge Grant applications with Service NSW on your behalf.

• Covid Business Grant
• Covid Micro Business Grant
• JobSaver Grant

As government support is limited; and we are seeing delays in payments due to the volume of grant applications, we suggest contacting your lender should you require urgent financial assistance.

Residential Rent Relief

• Landlords – Either a cash payment of up to $1,500 per tenancy agreement, or a reduction in land tax liability (but not both) for landlords who reduce rent.
• Tenants – 60-day freeze on evictions for Covid-Impacted tenants.

Commercial Rent Relief

• The National Cabinet’s Mandatory Code of Conduct has been re-introduced, based upon tenant’s eligibility for the above Covid Grants. 2021 Land Tax liability reductions are also available.

Stand Down Provisions
As the government has made an enforceable direction to lockdown, employers can stand down employees who cannot be usefully employed.
Before standing down an employee, you should consider the following:

• Can they work from home?
• Are you able to make a change to their duties/role/hours to keep them usefully employed?
• Are they entitled to any paid leave?
• Ongoing obligations related to stood down employees

Payroll Tax Relief

• Payroll tax relief is offered but will not provide any immediate assistance you may need.

As the sun sets, the primary goal is to ensure businesses can survive through any immediate financial crisis brought on by the lockdown, until the Government support packages are paid.

Please contact us for assistance.

– Jamie Newling

Posted 16.08.2021