Business Early Closure Grant Guidelines

The Early Business Closure Grant (Grant Program) will provide financial support for businesses in the River Murray regions (Riverland, Murray River Lakes and Coorong) needing to close early or cease trading as a result of high water flows on the River Murray.

The River Murray regions include the Alexandrina Council, Berri Barmera Council, Coorong District Council, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Mid Murray Council, Murray Bridge Council, Pastoral Unincorporated Area and Renmark Paringa Council.

Eligible businesses can apply to the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science (the Department) for one of the following one-off grants:

• $20,000 for an employing business. An employing business is a business with staff that are under the control of the business who receive regular Pay As you Go (PAYG) salary or wages and PAYG Withholding amounts as well as superannuation paid by the employer. An owner, partner, or beneficiary of a trust is not considered to be an employee for the purpose of this grant; or
• $10,000 for a non-employing business.

As of 1 November 2022, a business (either employing or non-employing) must meet all the following criteria to receive a grant payment:

• Have a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST;
• Carrying on the operation of a business located in the River Murray regions;
• Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (excluding GST) in the 2021-22 financial year;
• Not engage in illegal activity;
• An employing business will need to demonstrate a total Australian grouped payroll of less than $10 million in the 2021-22 financial year; and
• Such other criteria as approved by the Treasurer from time to time.

The business must have been or expects to be forced to close or cease trading as a result of the high River Murray flows and associated restrictions for at least 14 days with closure occurring prior to the date set by the Department which will be set having regard to wider flooding.

Eligible businesses include businesses in all industry sectors, including tourist operators such as tourist parks, houseboat operators and hotels. Organisations or individuals managing short-term holiday rentals, e.g. private properties rented through real estate agents or bookings sites such as Airbnb or Stayz, are not eligible for the grant.

Applications can be submitted via the Department’s Early Business Closure Grant form available on its website (https://business.sa.gov.au/) or applicants can be assisted in completing an online form or hardcopy form at the recovery centre that has been established.

• Applicants will have to declare that they meet the Eligibility Criteria and provide the following evidence of their eligibility:
  • Proof of business turnover from the 2021-22 financial year; and
  • Proof of Australian grouped payroll less than $10 million in the 2021‑22 financial year.

• On receipt of the application, the Department or other State Government representative will verify the relevant Eligibility Criteria has been met. The Department will contact the Applicant to request further information if required.
• On verification of eligibility via a declaration signed by both the Applicant and the Department representative, or another State Government representative, the grant will be paid directly into the Applicant’s bank account using the details provided in the application form.

Grants will be available up to a date to be determined by the Department.

If you require further information to participate in the program, please refer to the FAQs or contact DIIS.FloodSupport@sa.gov.au.

The Treasurer of South Australia reserves the right to:

• administer the Early Business Closure Grant and conduct the process for the assessment and approval of applications to the Early Business Closure Grant in such manner as he thinks fit;
• change the structure, procedures, nature, scope or timing of, or alter the terms of participation in the process or overall Early Business Closure Grant (including but not limited to eligibility, timeframes, terms and conditions, submission and compliance of applications), where in such circumstances notice will be provided to applicants on the Department’s website; and
• consider or accept, or refuse to consider or accept, any application which:
  • is lodged other than in accordance with these Guidelines; or
  • is lodged after the relevant closing date; or
  • does not meet the annual turnover threshold; or
  • is otherwise non-conforming in any respect.