The Small Business Hardship Grant, announced by the Western Australian Government, is designed to relieve some of the financial difficulties businesses are facing as a result of recent COVID-19 mandates.

Tourism & hospitality businesses have been hit hard by the WA Government’s Level 2 Public Health and Social Measures, from compulsory mask-wearing to restrictive capacity limits. The recently announed Grant is designed to assist these businesses that have been affected.

To be eligible for the Grant, Western Australian The Small Business Hardship Grant, announced by the Western Australian Government, is designed to relieve some of the financial difficulties businesses are facing as a result of these mandates.businesses must meet the eligibility criteria by demonstrating that there was a reduction in turnover of at least 50% for a consecutive 2-week period between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2022, compared to an equivalent period in the previous year.

Alternative comparative periods of 2 consecutive weeks may be considered if the equivalent period in 2021 provides an inaccurate representation of the typical business turnover (e.g. if the business was also impacted by COVID-19 restrictions during the equivalent period in 2021).

In addition to meeting the reduction in turnover requirements, businesses must have an annual turnover of greater than $50,000 (excluding GST) and payroll of less than $4 million, to receive the Small Business Hardship Grant.

If eligible, these businesses impacted will receive a tiered grant payment based on the number of Full Time Tiered grants are available to eligible businesses.Equivalent (FTE) employees of the business.

An FTE employee is based on 37 hours of work a week and does not include the business owner. Claimants will need to provide evidence of the number of FTE or equivalent employees of their business as part of the application process. 

The grant tiers available are as follows:

  • Non employing business – business owner with no additional employees - $3,000
  • Microbusinesses – business owner + 1-5 employees - $7,500
  • Small businesses – business owner + 6-19 employees - $20,000
  • Medium businesses – business owner + 20 or more employees - $50,000

Applications are open now until 30 June 2022.

Contact your local RSM adviser for assistance with determining your eligibility for the small business hardship grant and calculating your tiered entitlement.