The NT Government is delivering a $65 million Jobs Rescue and Recovery Package to help stimulate the economy and keep Territorians in jobs.
This package is the second phase of the response to the significant economic impact of COVID-19, and is complementary to initiatives offered by the Australian Government to all jurisdictions.
Home Improvement Scheme - $30 million
The scheme will help fast track around 5,000 screwdriver-ready projects in Territory homes. This means that projects are physical improvements to land and / or buildings, and repairs and maintenance services.
The scheme operates on a voucher system, with home owners receiving either:
- a voucher worth up to $4,000 if they contribute at least $1,000 of their own money, or
- a voucher worth up to $6,000 if they contribute at least $2,000 of their own money.
Business Improvement Grant - $20 million
All Territory businesses will be able to access a $10,000 grant, followed by an additional $10,000 grant if they contribute $10,000 of their own.
Each business is only eligible to receive one grant, and it can be used to complete one or two different jobs on their premises.
The grant can be used to purchase goods and services to make permanent physical improvements to a business (land and / or building) that help improve its efficiency and customer experience.
Immediate Work Grant - $5 million
Grants of up to $100,000 will be given to not-for-profit and community organisations to engage local businesses to do repairs, renovations and upgrades to their property and facilities.
The first $50,000 will be paid as a grant, and the NT Government will also match any renovation costs that exceed $50,000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a maximum of $100,000 total.
Structural adjustment package- $5 million
This program will provide direct support for cafes, restaurants and other venues who serve the public.
The program will help businesses to install partitioning to meet the new requirements for gatherings of less than 100 people indoors, and to help develop online ways of doing business.
Tourism
Supporting our local tourism, hospitality and retail operators by encouraging Territorians to get out and explore their own backyard, with a dedicated intra-Territory campaign rolled out via local media channels.
Boosted investment into marketing to encourage drive tourism as an opportunity to help disperse visitors through the Territory over the coming months. Motivating Australian’s to take a self-drive trip is a great way to experience our destination.
Handbrake on government fees and charges
All regular increases to government fees and charges, including regulated electricity costs, will be put on hold. This means that fees and charges which are normally increased annually or regularly will be set at their current rates.
Payroll tax concession
Eligible businesses who employs a Territorian in the next 12 months won’t be liable for payroll tax on those wages for a two year period.
Infrastructure
A fast-tracked infrastructure program is being delivered and further opportunities to bring projects forward are also being explored.
Government procurement and grants
All agencies have been directed to be responsive and flexible to requests including the fast tracking of procurement decisions wherever possible.
Organisations that receive government grants will be offered flexibility in the delivery of agreed key performance indicators where the ability to meet these is impacted COVID-19.
Additionally, organisations that have received grants or sponsorships from the NT Government for events which have been cancelled or postponed will not be asked to repay the funding if it has already been committed.
Supporting casual workers
The NT Government recognises some great Territorian community led initiatives to connect casual workers to other short term job vacancies and will work to support any gaps in the market.
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