An announcement from the NSW Coalition to provide small businesses with up to $1000 in rebates over two years to cover the cost of government fees and charges has been welcomed by Business NSW.

The $40 million scheme which would see small businesses register for rebates through ServiceNSW, allows businesses of less than 20 employees to claim up to $500 per year to help cover the costs of a range of government fees and charges.

“This boost to the hip pocket of small business couldn’t come at a more important time as businesses struggle with the ever-increasing cost of doing business,” Business NSW CEO Dan Hunter said.

“This measure is a timely relief package for operators that are well and truly under the pump with surging energy and insurance costs as well as continuing interest rate hikes.”

The rebates were announced alongside a new Small Business Strategy that includes:

• A new Start + Scale My Business program providing $1,000 for up to 10,000 small and micro businesses for professional advice to help them grow and expand their business.
• A pledge by Treasurer Matt Kean to ensure NSW Government payments to businesses are settled within five days.  
• Increase in NSW Government expenditure through procurement with small business by $1 billion by 2027.
• Increase the threshold for direct procurement with small businesses from $150,000 to $250,000 by mid-2023.
• Offer simple contracts for all whole of Government prequalification schemes by the end of 2023.
• Launch the Act Global small business program by the end of 2023 to help small businesses export abroad.
• Target year-on-year increases in small business participation in mental health programs and resources developed specifically for small business owners.

“We support this suite of measures to support NSW small businesses that are the heart and soul of our economy,” Mr Hunter said.

“Smoothing the pathway in dealing with government by improving the interface for small businesses is a proactive measure that we strongly support.”

The Coalition has set a target for NSW to be the home of one million small businesses within seven years.