Chief Minister for the ACT, Andrew Barr, provided a second round of stimulus on 2 April 2020 to further support health services, households – but in particular, small businesses.

The ACT Government has also finalised a new framework to assist commercial landlords in providing rent relief for local business tenants who have had their business operations restricted. Depending on the level of hardship commercial tenants are facing, landlords will be eligible to apply for a waiver or rebate on their commercial rates, tied to the rental relief passed onto their tenants. While there isn’t a lot of detail available, you can read about the tiers here.

To see all the measures currently available in the ACT you can go to the Territories dedicated COVID-19 page here.

Businesses

• 'Jobs for Canberrans' fund to allow ACT Government Directorates to continue employing people for cleaning, repairs and maintenance projects.
• $25m to fast track infrastructure projects and maintenance on the government-owned community, schools and other buildings as well as suburb maintenance. This fund will be utilised this financial year.
• Small business owners with electricity usage below 100 megawatts per year will see rebates of $750 automatically applied to their next electricity bill in around June or July 2020.
• Off licenced venues with annual gross liquor purchase value below $3m and licenced venues will receive a 12-month waiver of their food business registration and liquor licencing fees from 1 April 2020. Outdoor dining fees for 2020-2021 will also be waived. This support will be applied automatically as part of the normal licencing process.
• Businesses that require an infection control licence such as beauty therapists, nail salons, tattoo parlours and dentists with receive a 12-month waiver from 1 April 2020. This support will be applied automatically as part of the normal licencing process.
• Commercial property owners with an Average Unimproved Value below $2m on their property are eligible for a rebate of $2,622 (equivalent to the annual fixed charge) to their 2019-20 general rates, in quarter four.This will be applied automatically.
  • Where rate payers have paid in full or have a quarter bill less than the credit, they will be eligible for a refund. Businesses will need to complete an online application form (which will be available soon on the ACT Revenue Office website) to apply for a refund.

Payroll tax

• Businesses directly affected by the ‘prohibited activities list’ such as gyms and indoor sporting venues, cinemas, beauty therapists and nail salons will be eligible to receive a six-month waiver of payroll tax from April to September 2020. Businesses will need to complete an online application formon the ACT Revenue Office website to confirm their eligibility.
• All ACT businesses with Australia-wide wages of up to $10m can defer their 2020-21 payroll tax, interest free until 1 July 2022. Businesses will need to complete an online application form to confirm their eligibility by visiting the ACT Revenue Office
  • Eligible businesses will need to lodge their payroll tax returns as normal but will not be required to make the associated payment at the usual time. If the deferred amount is paid before 1 July 2022, no interest will be charged. Interest will be applied to any outstanding deferred amounts from 1 July 2022.

Households and Individuals

• $7m Community Support Package to be developed between the ACT Government and non-government organisation partners to best meet increased service demand for emergency relief. This package will provide food relief and support for vulnerable members of our community.
• $2m to support the not-for-profit sector to deliver further mental health and community support.