City of Sydney – Support for local businesses
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
Small business grants: Helps businesses adapt to the new operating environment. Examples include the supply of new products or services or changes to your delivery method, development of new online and e-commerce capabilities, support for training and professional development, refurb their premises or buy new equipment or software.
Who can apply: Small businesses and for-profit arts enterprises with 1 to 19 employees, with applications considered from larger businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries under exceptional circumstances.
Funding available: $10,000 per business
Cultural sector resilience grants: Provides immediate financial support for those who have had to cancel, postpone or reduce operations, programs or events.
Who can apply: Sole traders and arts and cultural organisations.
Funding available: $10,000 per sole trader and $20,000 per organisation
Creative fellowships fund: To help keep arts and creative professionals working during a time of reduced opportunities. Projects can be presented during or after the pandemic.
Who can apply: Artists, creative producers, curators, and other creative workers
Funding available: $20,000
Community service grants: Allows organisations to support vulnerable community members with food, digital access and social inclusion.
Who can apply: Not-for-profits and social enterprises.
Funding available: $5,000 to $50,000
Quick response grants: Small-scale projects responding to urgent need in their communities.
Who can apply: Individuals, sole traders, unincorporated community groups, not-for-profit organisations and for-profit organisations.
Funding available: $2,000 to $5,000.
Extra support
- 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
- A flexible approach to parking and other infringements
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.
Call our business concierge service on 02 9265 9333
We’ll help you find the right grants and support.
We’re open 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
You can also drop us a line at [email protected].
If you need a translation service, please call 13 14 50.
Additional support and opportunities
Federal government
The WhatsApp feature allows you to ask questions you need answered about your business.
The federal government’s Business website is updated frequently. It provides information for sole traders and employers . For support accessing services, contact Australian Business on 13 28 46, 7 days a week, 7am to 11pm Sydney time.
State government
The NSW Government Small Business Commissioner has tips and resources to help you manage during the pandemic and into the recovery phase.
NSW Fair Trading provides information about your business obligations for cancelled events, refunds and delayed orders.
Expressions of interest are sought from businesses to help replenish medical supplies. They don’t currently have to manufacture the products, but should be able to change their production lines.
$10,000 small business grant. Fast relief for small businesses facing unavoidable costs such as utilities, overheads, legal fees and financial advice.
Australian Banking Association
Many banks offer a small business relief package . Features include deferring payments, waiving fees, charges and penalties.
Australian Business Continuity
Free services and advice about remote communications, collaboration, workforce management and video conferencing.
