Up to 200,000 licence holders operating across the trades and construction sectors will not have to pay up to $50 million worth of licence fees, thanks to the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the licence fee waivers were a crucial part of the NSW Government’s first economic stimulus package.
“These fee waivers will deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, at a time when cash flow is crucial,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Up to 200,000 licence holders will benefit from this fee relief package over the next 12 months. It is the least we can do to support these businesses and their staff through this challenging time.”
The measures will deliver close to $50 million worth of fee waivers to tradies for 12 months.
Mr Dominello said the measures would help businesses during one of the hardest economic challenges in our lifetime.
“These measures put business and workers first so they can continue to be the lifeblood for their communities across the State,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re going to help them withstand this storm, so they can hit the ground running later.”
Mr Tudehope said the NSW Government was focused on keeping businesses in business and as many people as possible in jobs.
“Our number one priority is the health and safety of the community, but this is a dual challenge and we need to do everything we can to ensure the NSW economy emerges with a strong beating heart,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Whether it’s a local café, restaurant, indoor sporting venue, gym or club, we want to ensure they have every chance to continue to support our communities. While it seems a long way off now this will pass and we don’t want any road blocks for people.”
Today’s announcement follows the first set of fee waivers which have started to come into effect, including $19.5 million in state-based fee relief for industries. It gives eligible businesses in the entertainment and hospitality sectors access to a 12-month waiver on liquor licences and certain SafeWork NSW and NSW Fair Trading fees and charges.
To date, the NSW Government has provided more than $8 billion in response to COVID-19 to support the NSW healthcare system and keep people in jobs.
For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au.
