Is your business eligible for NSW Out & About program? - Simeoni

Is your business eligible for NSW Out & About program?

The NSW Out & About program, are you eligible?

Businesses wanting to take part in the NSW state government’s Out and About scheme will first need to ensure they’re eligible before signing up to the program.

On Tuesday, the NSW government announced it is investing $500 million in a new scheme aimed to encourage Aussies to return to their local restaurants, cafés and cinemas in a bid to spur the post-COVID economic recovery.

Under the scheme, NSW residents, over the age of 18, will receive four $25 vouchers to use at participating eligible NSW businesses and venues who are registered as COVIDSafe.

The Out and About scheme will be divided into two categories:

  • dining out – two vouchers can be used to purchase food at venues such as restaurants, cafés, pubs and clubs
  • going out – two vouchers can be used for activities, such as visiting cultural institutions, performing arts, cinemas and amusement parks

The program will be rolled out across the state from late January, but for it to be a success, businesses must first sign up.

While the finer details are yet to be announced, including eligible participating industries, the NSW government has published several eligibility guidelines.

According to these, businesses are required to have implemented a COVID safety plan and they must:

  • have a MyServiceNSW account
  • be operating in NSW in one of the eligible industries (details to come)
  • have a valid bank account
  • have an active Australian business number (ABN) as of 31 October 2020 and be registered for goods and services tax (GST)

COVID-safe businesses will be able to use their MyServiceNSW business profile to manage the scheme for their business.

“The dining and entertainment industries were among the hardest hit by the pandemic and I would encourage people to utilise this scheme once it is up and running and to make sure they spend a bit extra on the way through, too,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said on Tuesday.

As more information is released by the NSW Government we at Simeoni & Co will keep you updated.

Paul Simeoni & Team