New guidelines published yesterday by the NSW Government will make it easier for regional NSW businesses to access JobSaver support, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) said today.

It comes after some of the most challenging weeks on record for business owners and accountants alike, as they navigate the COVID-19 lockdown, impacts on workflows, employees and clients, and support packages from Governments. 

Chartered Accountants have experienced a substantial increase in enquiries from regional small business owners as they scramble to understand if they qualify for the payment, and how to access it. 

CA ANZ Tax Leader Michael Croker said Service NSW updating its guidelines provides much-needed clarity around the eligibility criteria for regional businesses.

“Although JobSaver has always been accessible to regional businesses adversely impacted by the Greater Sydney lockdown such as tourism operators reliant on travellers from Sydney, businesses in country NSW which have only been impacted since the commencement of regional lockdowns can now also apply.”

“We commend NSW government officials for working closely with professional associations such as CA ANZ, hearing our feedback and rolling out the changes,” Croker said. 

“Weekly meetings are now being held with accounting bodies and a range of follow-up issues remain on the agenda.”

“The original eligibility requirements of JobSaver required a business to show a declined turnover between 26 June 2021 to 28 August 2021.  

“The 28 August end date has now been dropped, and the decline in turnover testing can occur any time on or after 26 June 2021. 

“That means a hair salon in Wagga Wagga whose business suffered only after the regions went into lockdown can apply and, if eligible, receive JobSaver from the start of the regional lockdown.” 

“This is a huge win for regional NSW businesses, who went into lockdown later than Sydney, but are feeling the pinch and require a helping hand, right now. 

“We encourage all regional business owners to speak with their Chartered Accountant to assess their eligibility.”

Other conditions include a decline in turnover of at least 30%, and an employee retention obligation for those businesses which have employees. 

“JobSaver is designed for businesses with aggregated turnover between $75,000 and $250 million for the year ended 30 June 2020,” said Croker.

“But in more good news from the NSW government, previously ineligible larger businesses in the hospitality, tourism and recreation sectors will also benefit from an extension of the JobSaver program to these sectors where the applicant has an aggregated annual turnover of more than $250 million and up to $1 billion.

“Chartered Accountants will be working hard to help clients determine their eligibility under the revised JobSaver rules as we know many NSW businesses see JobSaver as their lifeline.”

For more information on JobSaver and how to apply, speak with your Chartered Accountant today or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au.