Western Australian tourism businesses impacted by COVID-19 will soon be able to apply for funding support under a new joint Commonwealth-State program valued at up to $16.8 million.
“Tourism based businesses have been significantly impacted not only by closed international borders but also health restrictions affecting domestic travel,” said Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
“This support will help to cushion the blow for these tourism businesses which have been impacted by lockdowns on the east coast.”
“The package builds on the $14 billion in economic support the Morrison Government has already delivered to WA households and businesses.”
Eligible tourism businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with some of the financial impacts resulting from much of the country being under significant COVID-19 restrictions in recent months.
It is anticipated about 3,500 businesses will be eligible for funding support under the program – including tourism operators, accommodation providers and travel agents.
Applicants must demonstrate at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover by comparing the period 15 May – 25 June with 10 July – 20 August to be eligible for support.
The following funding amounts will be made available to eligible businesses:
- $2,000 grant for all sole traders and for employing businesses with an annual turnover between $50,000 and $100,000
- $5,000 grant for employing businesses with an annual turnover between $100,000 and $1 million
- $10,000 grant for employing businesses with an annual turnover between $1 million and $10 million
In order to be eligible, businesses must be:
- registered with Tourism WA as a previous grant recipient or as part of the agency’s marketing campaigns in 2020 or 2021; or
- a member of, or accredited through, a relevant tourism organisation (as of today); or
- a travel agent that has been offering domestic product to travellers.
Businesses must also have an active and valid ABN and be located in Western Australia.
While up to $16.8 million is available for the program, it is likely the amount expended will be less due to the strength of intrastate tourism in Western Australia.
“The continued acceleration of community spread in many parts of the country – particularly New South Wales – is now so severe it is having impacts on some WA tourism businesses,” said Premier Mark McGowan.
“Western Australia’s work to keep COVID-19 largely out of the community has kept the State safe and open – enabling our tourism sector to operate in a way much of the world has been unable to over the past 18 months and fuelling an intrastate visitation boom.”
“The Tourism Assistance Grants will provide targeted support to the Western Australian businesses which have become innocent victims of community spread over east, through no fault of their own.”
