Northern Territory Government $60m coronavirus stimulus package

On the 18 March 2020, the Northern Territory (NT) Government announced a $60 million coronavirus stimulus package to encourage spending on home renovations and business upgrades in an effort to prevent widespread job losses across the NT. If disruption to your business operations causes you to fall behind with your tax and super obligations, call the ATO on 1800 806 218 or contact Thompsons Australia on (02) 8567 4300 so we are able to work with you to find a solution.

Details of the new Schemes can be seen below:

 

Home Improvement Scheme ($30 Million)

  • The scheme is for physical improvements to land and/or buildings and repairs and maintenance services.
  • The scheme operates on a voucher system, with homeowners receiving either:
  1. a voucher worth $4,000 if they contribute at least $1,000 of their own money, or
  2. a voucher worth $6,000 if they contribute at least $2,000 of their own money.
  • ALL Northern territory homeowners are eligible to apply for one property.
  • Owners of multiple properties can carry out improvements works to one home only.
  • A list of all listed tradespersons will be provided for homeowners to make their selection from 6 April 2020.
  • Applications for homeowners open 6 April 2020.
  • Each voucher is valid for a period of 3 months only, and can be used to complete one or two jobs.
  • This scheme only applies to homeowners under a free-hold tenure or long term lease-hold, which is treated as though it were free-hold.
  • All applicants must be residents of the NT.
  • Tradespersons must be a legal entity holding a valid ABN number as of the date the program is open, and must be operating in the NT in either owned or leased premises. Tradespersons must have a permanent presence in NT and employ only NT residents. Registrations for businesses will open on 30 March 2020. Applications for homeowners open 6 April 2020.
  • Note: Solar PV panels and solar PV install is excluded from the Home improvement Scheme. Inverter upgrades, batteries and other electrical work that supports energy efficiency are eligible works under these programs. Solar Hot water systems are also eligible works under these programs.
  • For businesses and individuals interested in this package there will be a single point of contact on either 1800 193 111 or homeimprovement@nt.gov.au

Business Improvement Grant ($20 million)

  • Eligible businesses will get an initial $10,000 grant for upgrades, and another $10,000 if they contribute $10,000 of their own money. The grant can be used to purchase goods and services to make permanent physical improvements to a business (land and / or building) that help improve its operations and customer experience. Solar PV panels and solar PV install are excluded.
  • Business owners will be able to spend their grant on upgrades or equipment if purchased from an eligible Territory business.
  • Each business is only eligible to receive one grant which can be used to complete one or two different jobs on their premises.
  • Businesses can apply for a grant from 13 April 2020.
  • Businesses must be a legal entity holding a valid ABN number as of the date the program is open, and must be operating in the NT in either owned or leased premises. Tradespersons must have a permanent presence in NT and employ only NT residents.
  • For businesses doing works, applications will open from Monday 30 March 2020
  • works, applications will open from Monday 13 April 2020.
  • Note: Solar PV panels and solar PV install is excluded from the Business Improvement Grant eligible works. Inverter upgrades, batteries and other electrical work that supports energy efficiency are eligible works under these programs. Solar Hot water systems are also eligible works under these programs.
  • For businesses and individuals interested in this package there will be a single point of contact on either 1800 193 111 or businessimprovement@nt.gov.au

Immediate Work Grant – $5 million

  • Grants of up to $100,000 will be given to not-for-profit and community organisations to engage local businesses to do repairs, renovations and upgrades to their property and facilities (permanent physical improvements to land and / or buildings). The program will help businesses to install partitioning to meet the new requirements for gatherings of less than 100 people indoors, and to help develop online ways of doing business.
  • The first $50,000 will be paid as a grant, and the NT Government will also match any renovation costs that exceed $50,000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a maximum of $100,000 total.
  • Only not-for-profit and community organisations operating in the NT in either owned or leased premises may apply.
  • Each organization can apply once to the program and can complete up to three jobs under the one application.
  • Tradespersons must have a permanent presence in NT, be operating in NT and have a significant permanent presence in the NT, and employ only NT residents.
  • Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions will be available online on 30 March 2020
  • Note: Solar PV panels and solar PV install is excluded from the Immediate Work Grant eligible works. Inverter upgrades, batteries and other electrical work that supports energy efficiency are eligible works under these programs. Solar Hot water systems are also eligible works under these programs.
  • For businesses interested in this package there will be a single point of contact on either 1800 193 111 or immediatework@nt.gov.au

Structural Adjustment Package ($5 million)

  • The program will help businesses to install partitioning to meet the new requirements for gatherings of less than 100 people indoors, and to help develop online ways of doing business.
  • The grants available will allow semi-permanent physical restructure of their premises to accommodate the new capacity limits and social distancing requirements e.g. partitioning
  • The grants available will allow for an upgrade or build to businesses digital presence to do more online business – in partnership with local Northern Territory IT companies.
  • The grants and restructures will be assessed on a case by case basis.
  • Businesses must engage local IT companies for digital work and local businesses for physical work.
  • For businesses interested in this package there will be a single point of contact 1800 193 111.

Other packages

  • Tourism: Territorians will be supported with a dedicated intra-Territory campaign rolled out via local media channels. There will also be boosted investment into marketing to encourage drive tourism as an opportunity to help disperse visitors through the Territory over the coming months.
  • Hold on Government Fees and charges: Regular government fee and charge increases (including electricity costs) will be put on hold. Meaning fees normally increased annually or regularly will not be.
  • Payroll Tax Exemption– The payroll tax exemption for hiring Territory employees has been extended to 30 June 2021. Please visit https://treasury.nt.gov.au/dtf/territory-revenue-office/payroll-tax For further details.
  • Government procurement and grants – Organisation that receive government grants will b offered flexibility in the delivery of agreed key performance indicators where they have been impacted by COVID-19.
  • Support for casual workers – The NT Government will work to support any gaps in the market for community led initiatives to connect casual workers to other short term job vacancies.
  • Direct support for business – The Department of Trade, Business and Innovations Small Business Champions team are available to meet with on site, or by telephone on 1800 193 111 otherwise the Business Enterprise Centre is also available on 1800 229 500 for Practical business advice.

For businesses interested in the above packages, there will be a single point of contact by phone 1800 193 111 or you can email to businessinfo@nt.gov.au or the alternative e-mail addresses mentioned above.

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Thompsons Australia Newsletters and articles are distributed by professional tax practitioners to provide information of general interest to our clients. The content of this newsletter does not constitute specific advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their tax adviser for advice on specific matters.