Please read these Guidelines before applying for the Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East.

Summary

The Government of South Australia has established a Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East to support businesses impacted by restrictions introduced in South Australia’s Lower South-East from 4 October 2021.

Eligible non-employing businesses will be provided with a once-off $1,000 grant to support them in these difficult circumstances.

All non-employing businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have received a grant under the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant, and are based in eligible postcodes, will automatically receive a top-up payment of $1,000. No additional application is necessary.

Other non-employing businesses based in eligible postcodes that have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more over the defined eligibility period are able to apply for the Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East through the application portal.

This document provides guidance for Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East (non-employing business) applicants. Please read these Guidelines before applying.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East, a business at the start of the restriction period of Monday 4 October 2021 must:

  • Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be carrying on the operation of a business in South Australia.
  • Be operating a business in an eligible postcode.
  • Be registered for the GST.
  • Did not employ people.*
  • Not be engaged in illegal activities.

    • AND

    —  Have received a grant under the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant (these payments will be made automatically and do not require an application);

    or

    — Be a business that has experienced at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover due to the restricted trading conditions over the week from 4 October 2021 (the commencement date of the trading restrictions) to 10 October 2021 compared to the average weekly turnover in the June quarter 2021 (prior to restrictions).^

    * To be considered an employee, staff must be under the control of the business, receive regular PAYG salary or wages, and have Pay As You Go Withholding amounts as well as superannuation paid by the employer. An owner, partner, or beneficiary of a trust is not considered to be an employee for the purpose of this grant.

    ^Businesses will be required to declare a reduction in turnover due to restricted trading conditions. They will not be required to provide any supporting information at the time of application but will be required to retain supporting information that could be made available if required such as:

    • Turnover comparison data for the relevant assessment periods;
    • Emails or texts to or from clients or suppliers detailing cancelled orders or appointments;
    • Receipts for refunds provided;
    • Invoices or delivery dockets;
    • Appointment/scheduling platform, demonstrating cancelled appointments or bookings; and / or
    • Screenshots of cancelled events.

    General requirements

    Applicants must certify that they meet the eligibility criteria when submitting an online application.

    Applicants will be subject to audit by the Government of South Australia or its representatives and will be required to produce evidence at the request of the Government for a period of 2 years after the grant has been approved.

    If any information in applications is found to be false or misleading, the grant will be repayable on demand.

    Information suspected to be fraudulent may be referred to the South Australian Police for investigation.

    Grant Amounts

    The Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East (non-employing business) amount is $1,000 per eligible business.

    Grant Use

    Grants are provided to support eligible businesses that have been adversely impacted by restrictions enacted by State or Commonwealth Government due to COVID-19.  This may include for example:

  • Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent;
  • Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning;
  • Developing the business through marketing and communications activities; and / or
  • Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

    • How to Apply

    No application is required for the $1,000 grant for non-employing businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have received a grant under the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant, and are based in eligible postcodes. Payments will be made automatically based on information provided as part of applications for the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant.

    Other businesses based in eligible postcodes that have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more over the defined eligibility period are required to submit an application online via the Application Portal. All questions in the application need to be completed to ensure timely assessment and grant payment.

    The online application must be completed by an Authorised Officer, being:

  • In the case of a business that is a sole trader that employs, the sole trader.
  • In the case of a business that is a partnership that employs, a partner.
  • In the case of a business that is a body corporate that employs, a director, secretary, public officer or equivalent.

    • Note: It is permissible for an agent such as an accountant or lawyer to submit the application on behalf of business provided they have been instructed to do so by the above Authorised Officer.

    Applicants must meet the requirements of the grant.

    Regional COVID-19 Support Grants – Lower South-East will be provided to successful applicants by the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF). Whether an applicant is successful or not will be determined by DTF in its absolute discretion. To access grant funding, applicants will be required to agree to Terms and Conditions at the time of application stipulating obligations and conditions under which assistance will be given to eligible applicants.  DTF will not be legally obliged to pay any grant monies to an applicant.

    Potential applicants should note that information received in connection with an application may be used and communicated outside the Government of South Australia for due diligence purposes and may also be provided to the Commonwealth Government and third parties engaged by DTF to assist with the assessment and processing of the applications received, together with program monitoring, reporting, auditing and evaluation purposes.

    Opening Date

    Applications open on 14 October 2021.

    Applications for Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East must be submitted via the Application Portal.

    Closing Date

    Applications close midnight 31 October 2021.

    Further Information

    If you require further information to participate in the program please refer to the FAQs or contact BusinessSupportGrant@sa.gov.au

    DTF reserves the right to amend these Guidelines and application terms as required.

    Applicants should be aware that DTF is subject to certain legislative and administrative accountability and transparency requirements of the Commonwealth Government and Government of South Australia, including public disclosure in accordance with Premier and Cabinet policy.

    DTF will treat all information provided by applicants sensitively. Any information contained in, or relating to, an application, including information identified by an applicant as confidential, may be disclosed by DTF:

  • to its employees, advisers or third-parties in order to assess, process and/or audit an application;
  • within the Government of South Australia or other entities where this serves the legitimate interest of DTF;
  • in response to a request by a House or Committee of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia or South Australia;
  • where information is authorised or permitted by law to be disclosed; and/or
  • where the information is already in the public domain.

    • Summary

    The Government of South Australia has established a Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East to support businesses impacted by restrictions introduced in South Australia’s Lower South-East from 4 October 2021.

    Eligible employing businesses will be provided with a once-off $3,000 grant to support them in these difficult circumstances.

    All employing businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have received a grant under the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant, and are based in eligible postcodes, will automatically receive a top-up payment of $3,000. No additional application is necessary.

    Other employing businesses based in eligible postcodes that have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more over the defined eligibility period are able to apply for the Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East through the application portal.

    This document provides guidance for Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East (employing business) applicants. Please read these Guidelines before applying.

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for a Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East, a business at the start of the restriction period of Monday 4 October 2021 must:

    • Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be carrying on the operation of a business in South Australia.
    • Be operating a business in an eligible postcode.
    • Be registered for the GST.
    • Employ people in South Australia.*
    • Have a total Australian grouped payroll of less than $10 million in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 financial year.
    • Not be engaged in illegal activities.

    AND

    —   Have received a grant under the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant (these payments will be made automatically and do not require an application);

    or

    — Be a business that has experienced at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover due to the restricted trading conditions over the week from 4 October 2021 (the commencement date of the trading restrictions) to 10 October 2021 compared to the average weekly turnover in the June quarter 2021 (prior to restrictions).^

    * To be considered an employee, staff must be under the control of the business, receive regular PAYG salary or wages, and have Pay As You Go Withholding amounts as well as superannuation paid by the employer. An owner, partner, or beneficiary of a trust is not considered to be an employee for the purpose of this grant.

    ^Businesses will be required to declare a reduction in turnover due to restricted trading conditions. They will not be required to provide any supporting information at the time of application but will be required to retain supporting information that could be made available if required such as:

    • Turnover comparison data for the relevant assessment periods;
    • Emails or texts to or from clients or suppliers detailing cancelled orders or appointments;
    • Receipts for refunds provided;
    • Invoices or delivery dockets;
    • Appointment/scheduling platform, demonstrating cancelled appointments or bookings; and / or
    • Screenshots of cancelled events.

    General requirements

    Applicants must certify that they meet the eligibility criteria when submitting an online application.

    Applicants will be subject to audit by the Government of South Australia or its representatives and will be required to produce evidence at the request of the Government for a period of 2 years after the grant has been approved.

    If any information in applications is found to be false or misleading, the grant will be repayable on demand.

    Information suspected to be fraudulent may be referred to the South Australian Police for investigation.

    Grant Amounts

    The Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East (employing business) amount is $3,000 per eligible business.

    Grant Use

    Grants are provided to support eligible businesses that have been adversely impacted by restrictions enacted by State or Commonwealth Government due to COVID-19.  This may include for example:

    • Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent;
    • Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning;
    • Developing the business through marketing and communications activities; and / or
    • Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

    How to Apply

    No application is required for the $3,000 grant for employing businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors that have received a grant under the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant, and are based in eligible postcodes. Payments will be made automatically based on information provided as part of applications for the COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant. 

    Other businesses based in eligible postcodes that have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more over the defined eligibility period are required to submit an application online via the Application Portal. All questions in the application need to be completed to ensure timely assessment and grant payment.

    The online application must be completed by an Authorised Officer, being:

    • In the case of a business that is a sole trader that employs, the sole trader.
    • In the case of a business that is a partnership that employs, a partner.
    • In the case of a business that is a body corporate that employs, a director, secretary, public officer or equivalent.

    Note: It is permissible for an agent such as an accountant or lawyer to submit the application on behalf of business provided they have been instructed to do so by the above Authorised Officer.

    Applicants must meet the requirements of the grant.

    Regional COVID-19 Support Grants – Lower South-East will be provided to successful applicants by the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF). Whether an applicant is successful or not will be determined by DTF in its absolute discretion. To access grant funding, applicants will be required to agree to Terms and Conditions at the time of application stipulating obligations and conditions under which assistance will be given to eligible applicants.  DTF will not be legally obliged to pay any grant monies to an applicant.

    Potential applicants should note that information received in connection with an application may be used and communicated outside the Government of South Australia for due diligence purposes and may also be provided to the Commonwealth Government and third parties engaged by DTF to assist with the assessment and processing of the applications received, together with program monitoring, reporting, auditing and evaluation purposes.

    Opening Date

    Applications open on 14 October 2021.

    Applications for Regional COVID-19 Support Grant – Lower South-East must be submitted via the Application Portal.

    Closing Date

    Applications close midnight 31 October 2021.

    Further Information

    If you require further information to participate in the program please refer to the FAQs or contact BusinessSupportGrant@sa.gov.au

    DTF reserves the right to amend these Guidelines and application terms as required.

    Applicants should be aware that DTF is subject to certain legislative and administrative accountability and transparency requirements of the Commonwealth Government and Government of South Australia, including public disclosure in accordance with Premier and Cabinet policy.

    DTF will treat all information provided by applicants sensitively. Any information contained in, or relating to, an application, including information identified by an applicant as confidential, may be disclosed by DTF:

    • to its employees, advisers or third-parties in order to assess, process and/or audit an application;
    • within the Government of South Australia or other entities where this serves the legitimate interest of DTF;
    • in response to a request by a House or Committee of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia or South Australia;
    • where information is authorised or permitted by law to be disclosed; and/or
    • where the information is already in the public domain.