Tasmania rolls out more SME COVID support

The government is aiming to help businesses that experienced trading losses or reduced customer demand due to COVID, for the period between 15 February and 14 March.

The funding and eligibility criteria have remained consistent with the previous round, with grants ranging between $1,000 to $10,000.

Payments between $1,000 and $5,000 are also available to businesses that experienced an unavoidable loss of perishable goods because they had to close for seven days or more.

Since the start of the pandemic, more than $160 million in COVID-specific support has been paid out to Tasmanian small businesses, including more than $3 million in grants for 1,500 companies provided through rounds one and two of the state’s COVID-19 Business Impact Support Program.

However, businesses that received assistance through the first two rounds of the program may still be considered eligible for round three.

“We recognise that while our economy is strong and that many businesses are doing well, further support is needed to assist more businesses as we continue to transition to living with COVID-19,” Tasmanian Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events, Madeleine Ogilvie said.

Applications for round three of the program will open on Wednesday (16 March).

Applicants must have a COVID-19 safety plan, a completed risk assessment and a COVID-19 case and outbreak management plan.

Last week, the Tasmanian government reported that it had paid $600,000 in financial assistance to home buyers left in limbo after two construction companies went under.

The state also recently launched a new 10-year housing package, which included extended stamp duty concessions and first home buyer grants, costing more than $1.5 billion.

[Related: Qld responds to housing crisis, amid flood disaster]