Small business relief grants

How we're supporting business in response to Covid-19

Need help finding the right support for your business? Whether you’re running a shop, cafe, as a sole trader or creative business, we want to help you. As part of our $72.5 million support package, we're helping keep businesses afloat through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grants on offer

The City’s Covid-19 small business relief grants have now closed. We’ll directly contact all successful and unsuccessful grants applicants.

We offer a range of business support grants, visit the grants and sponsorship page to find out more. Or sign up to the grants enewsletter to be the first to know.

City fee waivers and rent reviews

• Fees waived for health and building compliance activities.
• Rent review on a case by case basis for tenants that require support.
• Standard contractual terms and return booking and banner fees waived for venue bookings.
• Waived market permit and filming fees.

City policy changes

• Support businesses to increase or introduce take away food options to allow for social distancing.
• Only take enforcement action for matters that present an imminent public, environmental, health or safety risk.
• Allow supermarkets and other stores to operate their loading docks 24 hours a day to deliver essential goods.

Capital works projects

• To support workers during this difficult time, the City will fast-track $23 million worth of capital works projects. This action will stimulate employment and improve our assets for the benefit of our communities.

The federal government has released multiple measures to support business through Covid-19. Information for sole traders and employers includes boosting cash flow, instant asset write-off, the backing business incentive, early access to superannuation and JobKeeper payments for your employees. Visit The Treasury website for the latest financial support available for your business.

For support accessing services, contact Australian Business helpline on 13 28 46, 7 days a week, 7am to 11pm Sydney time. You can also use The WhatsApp feature which lets you ask questions you need answered about your business.

The NSW Government has released the Covid safe business tool kit to help businesses reopen and operate safely. Complete the online safety plan and register as a Covid-safe business.

The NSW Government has financial assistance to help support small businesses including grants and loans.

The NSW Government Small Business Commissioner has tips and resources to help you manage during the pandemic and into the recovery phase.

Contact the Service NSW Business Concierge for personalised advice on financial and business support. Call 13 77 88.

Other useful resources from the NSW Government:

• NSW Government responses to Covid-19
• NSW Government changes to business trading
• NSW Fair Trading  provides information about your business obligations for cancelled events, refunds and delayed orders.
• Australian Business Continuity provide free services and advice about remote communications, collaboration, workforce management and video conferencing.
• The latest information on Covid-19 from NSW Health

Health and wellbeing

It is understandable that during times like this, people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious and overwhelmed.

Lifeline has shared some important mental health and wellbeing tips and coping strategies.

Beyond Blue has a free 24/7 service to help you deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Find online information, self-help tools, phone counselling and tips to run your small business.

Free online small business workshops and courses

Doing business better free online workshops presented by the City of Sydney

We’re hosting a brand new free event series later in 2020 to help our small businesses gain the skills and expertise they need for economic recovery. Sign up to our business newsletter to be the first to find out.

Other free online courses for businesses

Grow your small business with Google is a short course to help you improve marketing skills, attract customers and build online recommendations. These tools are all free and will assist you build your digital presence.

Tafe NSW is offering a range of free online short courses that can be completed in a day or a week to help business through Covid-19.

NSW Government Business Connect is offering free webinars for business including survival tips, getting your business online and practical admin tools.

The Australian Taxation Office has a series of interactive small business webinars presented by experienced tax officers that allow you to ask questions specific to your situation.