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Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants – A Quick Guide

Lockdowns and restrictions brought in as a result of COVID-19 outbreaks have had a significant impact on small businesses, their owners, and their staff. In an attempt to ease some of the financial hardship caused by the most recent WA lockdown and interim restrictions (12.01am Tuesday 29 June 2021 – 12.01am Tuesday 6 July 2021), the State Government has announced a second round of the Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants.

Eligible businesses will be able to take advantage of $3,000 in cash flow support via a one-time payment made to a nominated bank account with the hope that it will reduce the impact of the most recent lockdown and the trading restrictions. In this article, we’ll detail the eligibility criteria that must be met to receive the grant payment, how the application process works, and what McKinley Plowman can do to assist.

Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants – Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for the grant, there are certain criteria that must be met. We’ve put the criteria into a few categories.

Broad Business Eligibility Criteria

As of the start of the lockdown period of 12.01am Tuesday 29 June 2021, the business:

1. Must have been located within Western Australia
2. Must have an annual turnover of $75,000 or more
3. Must be registered for GST
4. Must have a valid and active ABN
5. Must have a nationwide payroll of less than $4 million in the 2019-20 Financial Year
6. Must be able to provide evidence that the primary business activity falls under those listed below (in the relevant region)

Location & Primary Business Activity Eligibility Criteria

Below is a quick look-up table to see if your business is eligible for the grant, based on primary business activity and location within Western Australia. ( ✔ = Eligible; x = Not Eligible)

Financial Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the grant, business who satisfy the above criteria must have also suffered a financial loss directly attributable to the recent lockdown period and subsequent restrictions. This may include the loss of perishable goods, costs incurred due to booking cancellations, or a reduction in turnover of at least 30% compared to the prior week as a result of restricted trading conditions.

Note that businesses applying for the grant must be able to provide evidence of financial loss or reduction in turnover if requested. These records must be retained for a minimum of 12 months from the date of grant approval, as applications for the grant may be subject to audit activity. As such, it is critical that if you are planning to apply for the grant, you must have the relevant documentation to prove your eligibility in case you are asked to provide it at a later date.

Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants – Application Process

Applying for the grant is relatively straightforward. The Small Business Development Council’s SmartyGrants portal is the medium by which applications are processed. All you have to do is register for a new account (if you didn’t have one already from round one of the grants), commence your application, complete and submit it, and then wait for acknowledgement of receipt and notification of the result. If your business is successful, payment will be made to your nominated bank account. Applications must be received by 11.59pm Tuesday 31 August 2021.

How MP+ Can Help

While the application process and eligibility criteria are fairly simple to understand and action, we know that running a business is time-consuming. The team at McKinley Plowman can assist you in assessing your business’ eligibility for the Small Business Lockdown Assistance Grants, and that includes helping you identify the relevant documentation you need to retain for future reference.

Give us a call today on 08 9301 2200 (Joondalup) or 08 9361 3300 (Victoria Park); or alternatively you can contact us via our website.

written by:

Claire Ginbey

Heading up our CFO2GO team, Claire's skills as a SME Business Specialist and cloud accounting specialist have developed in line with advancements in technology and best practice; allowing her to maintain the highest service standards for clients.

Claire's passion for growing small businesses and helping them achieve sustained success is what motivates her to continuously develop her skills and knowledge. Her clients appreciate her considered and dedicated approach to working with them, and her personal oversight across their operations and financial performance.