Throughout Australia the Hospitality & Tourism Industries have experienced varying challenges over the past 18 months.  Now that States are opening up and there is talk of greater freedoms just around the corner, we take a look at what is on offer in each state to help get the Hospitality and Toursim Industry back on its feet.

NEW SOUTH WALES
With NSW leading the way with vacination rates, it is hoped greater freedoms will be seen in this state sooner then later.  However at this current point in time there are greater limits on indoor dining then there is on Alfresco Dining and International Borders are closed.  As such the State Government is offering a few options to help the Hospitality & Tourism sector get going.

• Stay & Rediscover Voucher Scheme – supports accommodation providers
• Dine & Discover NSW Voucher Scheme – supports hospitality, arts and tourism businesses
• Sydney CBD Friday Voucher Program – The program will offer 500,000 NSW residents 4 x $25 vouchers to spend at dining and entertainment venues in the Sydney CBD on Fridays.
• Accommodation Support Grant – If you’re an accommodation provider who experienced cancellations for stays between Friday 25 June 2021 and Sunday 11 July 2021, you may be eligible for the accommodation support grant of either $2,000 or $5,000.
• Alfresco Restart Package – The programs will provide more, better and activated public spaces to support community wellbeing and economic recovery.

You can find out more at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-businesses/grants-loans-and-financial-assistance & https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/alfresco-restart-package

QUEENSLAND
Much of Queensland has experienced limited lockdowns when compared to its southern neighbours.  However tourism and hospitality sectors have still been affected through snap lockdowns and a lack of interstate and international tourists.  The government has implemented several voucher programs to encourage locals to get out and explore their own state, and boost tourism.  There have been and still are a few grants available to support some of the businesses currently affected by restrictions.  You can find out what you may be intitled to by working through the Business Assistance Finder Tool at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/covid-assistance.  Additional resources can also be found at https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/employers/coronavirus-assistance

VICTORIA
At the time of writing there is currently 40 business grants open in Victoria.  With everything from Virtual Business Mentoring and Coaching, to Covid Safe Deep Cleaning Rebate, Job Funds, Mental Health support and more.  These grants are open to an array of business types, however if we are looking for something specific to the Hospitality Industry you will find the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund – Top Up.  This grant provides top up payments of between $2500 and $20,000 per week based on location and patron capacity and cover certain time periods.  You can find out more about this grant at https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/circuit-breaker-business-support-package/licensed-hospitality-venue-fund-2021-top-up-payments-and-cbd-payment or all grants at https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs?filter=%7B%22status%22%3A%5B%22opening+soon%22%2C%22open%22%2C%22ongoing%22%5D%7D&page=1

NORTHERN TERRITORY
Considering the low level of Covid cases seen through the Northern Territory, there are still a large amount of business support available.  In the Hospitality & Tourism sectors directly there is Funding to attract hospitality and tourism workers as well as the Tourism Survival Fund.    You can find out more about these grants as well as others at https://nt.gov.au/industry/business-grants-funding

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
There is still a little bit of funding available in the ACT for businesses.  The Covid-19 Business Support Grant is coming to an end for businesses with less than $2mil turnover, however the Covid-19 Small Business Hardship Scheme is opening.  Additionally there are fee waivers available for the Hospitality Industry.  You can find out more at https://www.act.gov.au/business/business-support/covid-19-economic-support-for-business

TASMANIA
There currently does not appear to be any grants available from the government.  There is a loan scheme and registration page to document how you have been impacted by the latest lockdown, but that seems to be all.  You can find out more and see if any new funding has been announced at https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/grants_and_funding_opportunities

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Looking at the WA Governments website, there seems to be a lot of funding mentioned, but it does not seem there is actually much still left available.  You can discover more by visiting https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-support-business .  There is another link you can explore for non covid related funding.  You can find out what is available here: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/grants-assistance-and-programs-register-wa-industry

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
In South Australia a lot of the funding that has been available for Covid relief has now expired.  However there are still a few grants available like the Tourism & Hospitality Support Grant.  Applications for this grant close on October 31. You can find out more at https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/stimulus-measures-to-support-businesses-and-the-community-impacted-by-covid-19