State and Federal Government COVID-19 Support: Withdrawal of Payments

With COVID-19 vaccination rates now exceeding 90% in Victoria and NSW, a number of major changes are occurring in respect of federal and state COVID-19 support payments. These changes are outlined below.
(Note that all changes are correct at the date of writing, 26^th November 2021, but further changes may occur.)

NSW & ACT

Federal Government disaster payments
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment (paid by the Federal Government) has now reduced to nil in the ACT and NSW as 80% of the territory and state’s population aged 16 and older have been fully vaccinated.

JobSaver (NSW) taper deferred for regional businesses
The NSW JobSaver program has been tapered off as NSW reaches its vaccination targets.
The JobSaver payments has been tapered off as follows.

With the 80% vaccination rate having been reached, JobSaver payments have ended.
The micro-business grant was ceased on 30 November.

SME economic recovery measures for NSW
Grants of up to $20,000 will be available to eligible small and medium businesses impacted by a public health order between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022.

The SME summer holiday stock guarantee grant will be available to hospitality and retail businesses with annual turnover from $75,000 to $50 million that are forced to close between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022 due to a public health order. Eligible businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to compensate for loss of perishable stock or claim $10,000 for reduced capacity to sell non-perishable items.
 

Victoria

Federal Government disaster payments
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment (paid by the Federal Government) has now reduced to nil in Victoria as 80% of the territory and state’s population aged 16 and older have been fully vaccinated.

State government business support payments
COVID-19 grants for small to medium-sized businesses in Victoria have now ceased with the state having reached the 80% vaccination target.