The Australian and Tasmanian Governments are providing stimulus packages to support businesses managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian Government measures
The Australian Government's Business website has comprehensive information on its support for businesses. The National Farmer's Federation website has concise summaries of measures relevant to Australian agriculture.
Tasmanian Government Social and Economic Support Package
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
The Tasmanian Government has allocated $100,000 to the
RFCS on top of its ongoing funding.
Tasmania’s RFCS provider, Rural Business Tasmania (RBT), also administers a
Small Business Support Program. Call 1300 883 276 to enquire about any of RBT’s programs.
Utility costs
Eligible small businesses (including agricultural businesses) will have their first quarterly electricity and TasWater water and sewerage bills issued on or after 1 April 2020 waived. Energy prices will also be capped for 12 months for all regulated electricity customers.
The electricity bill waiver applies to the following tariffs: Business Time of Use (Tariff 94), General Business (Tariff 22), Irrigation Time of Use (Tariff 75), and Low Voltage Demand (Tariff 82).
Support available to Aurora, TasWater and TasGas small business customers is summarised on the
Aurora Energy website.
Payroll and Land Tax Relief
The State Revenue Office is administering
payroll and land tax waivers, and a payroll tax rebate to approved employers for new youth employees aged 24 years and under. A
fact sheet has been prepared on the measures.
The Commissioner of State Revenue will consider requests to defer outstanding land tax from businesses experiencing financial hardship.
Other measures of note
- Small businesses can apply to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to freeze their business vehicle registrations for both light and heavy vehicles for up to 12 months.
- Assistance is available for temporary visa holders, including those holding Seasonal Worker and Pacific Labour Scheme visas (Subclass 403, 417 & 462) or Temporary Skilled visas (Subclass 457 & 482).
- The Tasmanian Government has reduced payment terms by government agencies from 30 days to 14 days.