Business Resources
There are a number of resources available online with information on business support during the Covid-19 pandemic, below are some helpful links to assist.
Please note these agencies will likely be experiencing high volumes of calls and queries so please be patient.
Australian Government (Business) - Backing Business Investment (BBI)
Australian Government (Business) - COVID-19 Coronavirus Business and Industry Advice
Australian Government (Business) - Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
Business Local Wheatbelt - FREE Advice and Mentoring
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA - Responding to COVID-19
Regional Development Australia - Latest News
Tourism WA - Business Support
WA Government - Coronavirus Information and Support for Business
WA Government - COVID-19 Rent Relief
WBN - COVID-19 Support For Wheatbelt Businesses
Wheatbelt Development Commission - Information Relating to COVID-19
WHEATBELT BUSINESS NETWORK
The WBN in association with the Wheatbelt Development Commission and RDA Wheatbelt are providing Wheatbelt businesses with the opportunity to access valuable business information and assistance relating to COVID-19 through a dedicated Hotline service.
Businesses will be able to talk to one of our WBN professionals on any issues relating to the COVID-19 situation and where we are not able to assist directly, we can refer you to one of our contacts who will be able to assist. You will also have access to our targeted webinars relating to the current business situation.
As an added service, we will be assisting businesses in the Wheatbelt get their WBN Business Directory up to date. We receive numerous calls each week for people looking for businesses in our directory who do not have their phone number displayed. If you are a Wheatbelt business:
- Check you are in the WBN Business directory. If you are not, then either sign up for a free listing which gives you your business name, address, phone number and email (if you want a more comprehensive listing you will need to sign up as a member)
- If your details are out of date or missing, please email them to r.thomas@wheatbeltbusinessnetwork.com.au and we will update them for you.
Businesses accessing the COVID-19 Support Hotline will have access to a portion of the service offered to WBN members – if you wish to access all of the benefits and services available to members (see table below), we’d love to have you on board as a member. CLICK HERE to go to the Membership form.
Businesses who are NOT a WBN member must register to access this service by filling in and submitting the form at the bottom of the page to register your business. Once registered, you will receive the hotline phone number which you can call any time during business hours.
Register your business here.
Rachael Thomas and Caroline Robinson are available to talk to you at any time to help you access further details or talk through any issues.
Rachael - 0428 855 224
Caroline - 0403 225 900
š https://www.wheatbeltbusinessnetwork.com.au/
LEVEL 1 COVID-19 ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
| The Government has announced a $67 million Level 1 COVID-19 Assistance Package for businesses impacted by increasing COVID-19 cases and implementation of public health and social measures. |
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The following financial assistance is available:
- Small Business Rental Relief ($54.2 million) – which provides grants to eligible business and landlords and rental waiver for small business tenants of State Government owned buildings.
- Outdoor dining and entertainment support ($11.6 million) – this provides a range of tailored support packages, of most relevance to Local Government:
- $5 million Alfresco Support Program – provides small business in the hospitality sector with up to $5,000 for eligible costs associated with creating or expanding an alfresco areas to meet public health requirements.
- $3.5 million Waiver of Liquor Licencing fees – renewal fees for 2022 will be waived and refunds provided for businesses that have already paid.
- $1.3 million Performing Arts, Theatres and Cinemas Assistance Program, providing payments of up to $50,000 to provide cash flow assistance to a range of larger, indoor entertainment venues that are particularly affected by capacity constraints.
- Other business support ($1 million) - to expand small business financial support services.
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WALGA - VendorPanel Marketplace
Local businesses will be able to more easily access Local Government contracts with the launch of a sector-wide procurement platform.
Underwritten by the WA Local Government Association and free to use for members and suppliers, VendorPanel Marketplace enables Local Government buyers to link with local suppliers and manage local procurement processes.
Read the full media release here.
Support fund for the innovation sector
Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly have announced that the McGowan Government is advancing up to $800,000 from the $16.7 million New Industries Fund (NIF) to support startāups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) impacted by COVID-19.
The $16.7 million New Industries Fund was established to support and accelerate new and emerging businesses to diversify the Western Australian economy and create new WA jobs.
The $800,000 package from the New Industries Fund consists of the following support programs:
Innovation Vouchers Program: An additional $300,000 to support 16 more Innovation Vouchers, worth up to $20,000 each, to start-ups and SMEs. This is in additional to the existing $400,000 allocated for the 2020 program, bringing the total value to $700,000. The total 36 Innovation Voucher grants will support SMEs to access professional skills, services or knowledge to advance their ideas and commercial activities.
WA Data Science Innovation Hub and the AustCyber WA Innovation Hub: $400,000 funding to help build the hubs' capacity to advise start-ups and SMEs on cyber security and the use of data science for business development, including in regional areas.
X-TEND WA Program: $100,000 funding for education and mentoring programs, which will be delivered by existing X-TEND WA program recipients. This will help boost entrepreneurs and innovative projects that support diversity and promote inclusion in the innovation community. This will also support WA business that wish to pivot their business model.
Media Statement - Premier Mark McGowan