Frequently Asked Questions on NSW Grants and JobSaver

Frequently Asked Questions on NSW Grants and JobSaver

This FAQ covers updated information up to 16 August 2021 and is based on published information on Service NSW Website (and information received from Service NSW through their webinars) for;


  • Business Grant - a lumpsum payment to support Small to Medium businesses with Annual Turnover above $75,000 to cover their expenses from 26 June 2021 and 17 July 2021.
  • JobSaver - a weekly payment (paid fortnightly) of between $1,000 and $100,000 per week to support Small to Medium businesses with Annual Turnover above $75,000 per annum for their expenses starting form 18 July 2021 till end of lockdown.
  • Micro Business grant to support businesses with turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 with a fortnightly payment of $1,500 from 26th June to end of lockdown. 


Details of the above support packages can be found on MGAA website here or on Service NSW website here. Where inconsistent with MGAA Guides on our website, this FAQ holds the latest information. It is critical that the readers should not rely entirely upon this information, rather check Service NSW website or call Service NSW to discuss their particular circumstances, since rules around these support packages are constantly changing and being updated by Service NSW.

Grants at a Glance Business Grant JobSaver Micro-Business Grant
Turnover requirement $75,000 to $50m $75,000k to $250m $30,000 to $75,000
Payment One lumpsum payment of between $7,500 to $15,000 depending on drop in turnover $1,000 to $100,000 per week paid fortnightly $1,500 per fortnight
Payment period One payment for the period from 26 June to 17 July Fortnightly payments to be backdated from 18 July till 28 August 2021 Fortnightly payments to be backdated from 18 July till 28 August 2021
Cut-off date for application 11.59pm on 13 September 2021 11.59pm on 18 October 2021 11.59pm on 18 October 2021
Decline in Turnover requirement Drop in current turnover of between 30% and 100% as compared to a comparative turnover. The more the drop, the more the Grant Drop in current turnover of minimum 30% as compared to a comparative turnover Drop in current turnover of minimum 30% as compared to a comparative turnover
Current Turnover A turnover of minimum 14 days between 26 June and 17 July A turnover of minimum 14 days between 18 July and 28 August A turnover of minimum 14 days between 18 July and 28 August
Comparative Turnover – Turnover to be compared to… (Default) Either of; The same period in 2019; OR The same period in 2020; OR The 2 week period immediately before lockdown commenced (12 June to 25 June 2021)* Either of; The same period in 2019; OR The same period in 2020; OR The 2 week period immediately before lockdown commenced (12 June to 25 June 2021)* Either of; The same period in 2019; OR The same period in 2020; OR The 2 week period immediately before lockdown commenced (12 June to 25 June 2021)*
Special Circumstance A1** : When your business opened in 2020 and you do not have 2019 turnover figures Default applies Default applies Default applies
Special Circumstance A2** : When your business was not operational for the full 2019-20 financial year Default applies Default applies Default applies
Special Circumstance A3: Businesses affected by 2019-20 natural disaster Default applies; or same period in 2018 Default applies ; or same period in 2018 Default applies ; or same period in 2018
How to pass annual turnover test if you were not trading for full 2019-20 year Quarterly BAS or 3 Monthly BAS from first three quarters of 2020-21. Bank statements of 3 months of letter from accountant. Quarterly BAS or 3 Monthly BAS from first three quarters of 2020-21. Bank statements of 3 months of letter from accountant. Turnover of 2018-19 can be used, or Quarterly BAS or 3 Monthly BAS from first three quarters of 2020-21. If not registered for GST, bank statements of 3 months.

**Previously published options have now been removed.

1. Can I use cash or accrual method to assess drop in turnover for the Grant and Jobsaver?
Unfortunately NO. As per guidance provided by Tax Institute, based on clarification received from Service NSW, you will need to use the method of GST reporting you are registered for, for lodging your BAS. We do recognise that many businesses might have been impacted but might still be collecting cash from previous invoices, and hence not qualify, and have made a submission for further consideration.

2. My business was registered for GST after 1 June 2021, can I still apply?
The FAQ for all three packages states that businesses must have been registered for GST on or before 1 June 20201 to be eligible for this grant. However Grant's page mentions that you could still be eligible and should contact Service NSW to discuss your circumstances.

3. My business started only recently. I do not have a comparative sales figure from 2019. Is there an alternative test?
Refer Special Circumstances A1 and A2 in table above.
 

4. My June and July 2019 were not representative of my usual turnover, how do I show the decline I experienced during lockdown?
If your circumstances in 2019 were impacted by natural disaster, refer Special Circumstances A3 in table above. Otherwise refer Special Circumstances A1 or A2 in table above.

5. My business turnover is less than $75,000. What benefit can I avail?
For Micro Businesses with turnover between $30,000 and $75,000 you can avail NSW Covid-19 Micro Business Grant of $1,500 per fortnight. We have now published our Guidelines for this grant, which can be accessed
 here. Further details can be accessed from Service NSW Website. Also refer updated information in the above table.

6. In a press conference last week, the NSW Premier had mentioned that Jobsaver weekly payment will now be increased up to $100,000 per week. Is this correct?
Yes this is correct and this information has now been updated on Service NSW website.

7. The Jobsaver Payment decline in turnover test requires me to test my turnover in July 2021 but my drop in turnover impact has been in August 2021. Will the dates for decline in turnover test be extended?
Yes the dates for both Jobsaver and Micro-Business Grant have now been updated on Service NSW website, to end on 28 August 2021. It is understood these dates will be further extended should lockdown be extended beyond 28 August 2021.

8. Can my accountant apply on your behalf?
Applications for these Grants are made by individuals who represent a business, through their individual Service NSW account. Ordinarily this would be an owner or director of a business. However, under authority, a staff member or your accountant representing your business can also make this application on your behalf. It is important to note that your accountant will not have any additional access to the process (unlike Jobkeeper) and once applied, it will be up to Service NSW to process your application.

9. I am employed by my company which is claiming JobSaver. Can I go ahead and claim Disaster Relief Payment from Service Australia?
As per information received from Service NSW, only non-employing businesses are restricted from claiming JobSaver if their associated individual is claiming Disaster Relief Payment (and vice versa). Accordingly if your business has employees (including yourself), your business should be able to claim JobSaver payment while you claim Disaster Relief Payment.

10. If I am unable to use all of my Grant for business expenses, do I have to refund the balance?
In a recent webinar, representatives of Service NSW have stated that any unused funds can be used for future business expenses and there is no intention of the government, at this stage, to claw back unused Grant.

11. My business has restructured from a sole trader to a company on 1 July 2021. Hence I do not have any comparative figures. Am I eligible for any Grant?
In a recent webinar, representatives of Service NSW have stated that they are interested to see if the business is continuing, even if the business was restricted from one legal entity to another. Hence you may still be eligible.

12. My business has offices and operations in multiple states. Do I have to prove decline in turnover of only my NSW operations or operations across Australia?
Service NSW has stated that decline in turnover has to be tested across all of Australian operations.

13. My business involves a trading entity which has had a decline in turnover, and a service entity which employs and contracts staff to my trading entity. Howe do I apply for these Grants?
In a recent webinar, representatives of Service NSW have stated that if there is decline in turnover in trading entity, it is understood that they would need lesser staff from service entity. Hence there would be decline in turnover of service entity as well. Accordingly the service entity should pass the decline in turnover test and apply for the grants.

14. I passed all the test but my business has not been impacted by the lockdown. Can I apply for the Grants?
No. In a recent webinar, representatives of Service NSW have stated that the business should have been directly impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021. Hence unless you can justify the decline in turnover due to lockdown, you may not be eligible.

15. I have applied for the Grants weeks ago but I have not received any payments as yet.
While understandably Service NSW is delayed in processing the huge volume of applications, they have also stated that it is often mistakes in application that need manual processing and follow up, thus causing delays. The message is, Get it Right, to Get Paid.

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