Many casuals and sole traders in the cultural and creative sector face a loss of income for a significant period. They may well benefit from the income support measures announced as part of the Federal Governments COVID-19 stimulus package.
The Government has temporarily waived the asset test and waiting periods for the Jobseeker allowance, while a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement will be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight to both existing and new recipients. This effectively doubles the current JobSeeker allowance.
Small and medium sized arts organisations such as theatre companies, Indigenous art centres, small venues and many others may be able to draw on business support measures.
The Government is providing payments of up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not‑for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000. These payments may provide cash flow support to help eligible businesses and not-for-profits keep operating and retain staff. This includes creative and cultural businesses and not-for-profits.
A loan guarantee scheme will also support small to medium-sized businesses. There are no charges for accessing the scheme, and it will be repayment-free for six months. The maximum loan is $250,000, for a term of up to three years. Creative and cultural businesses are eligible to apply. This complements $8 billion in measures announced by Australian banks last week to support small business by deferring small business loan repayments for six months.
Further details about the measures announced can be found at: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus
In addition to these economy wide measures, both the Australia Council and the Office for the Arts have been given discretion under Commonwealth Grant Rules to provide reporting and other grant condition relief to organisations with existing Australian Government funding arrangements. These include:
- Removing requirements on meeting audience KPIs
- Bringing forward payments
- Delaying or removing reporting requirements
- Varying the purposes and outcomes of funding
- Extending timelines for projects
- Allowing organisations to use money provided for a deliverable to be repurposed to pay essential bills such as wages, rent or utilities.
Organisations are encouraged to speak with their program officer about options that can provide flexible support during these difficult times. Information is available at www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support.
“The cultural and creative sector plays a vital part in our economy, contributing $112 billion – just over 6 per cent to our Gross Domestic Product every year. Over 800,000 people work in cultural and creative occupations,” Minister Fletcher said.
“By acting now, the Government is helping businesses to remain solvent, protecting jobs and Australia’s rich creative and cultural sector during these difficult circumstances.”
From Tuesday 24 March, the Office for the Arts and Australia Council will begin a weekly COVID-19 Support workshop with sixteen peak arts bodies. This week, representatives from the COVID-19 Business Liaison Unit, the Australian Banking Association and the Department of Social Services will provide information on support available for creative and cultural organisations and their people.
Creative and cultural organisations wishing to raise concerns or seeking further information can get in touch with the Office for Arts by emailing COVID-19@arts.gov.au. A dedicated 1800 number will be released in the coming days.
Members of the creative and cultural sector can also visit the Office for the Arts website for further information and links to relevant Government announcements: https://www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.
