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The Regional NSW Business Concierge service provides support for businesses wishing to set up or expand their operations in Regional NSW.

This service provides expert advice to corporations and companies wanting to tap into a wider pool of skilled workers and lower their operating costs by relocating to regional NSW. The specialist team includes representatives from Office of Regional Economic Development, Investment NSW, Training Services NSW and the Regional Growth Development Corporation.

The service provides the following services: 

• Comparative analysis of multiple locations across regional NSW based on business requirements.
• Identification of suitable available office space.
• Assistance with business planning requirements including economic analysis and skills data.
• Assistance to identify and develop commercial opportunities in a specific industry sector or region.
• Coordination across key government agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Assistance in identifying business-to-business solutions and opportunities.
• Information on relocation requirements and introductions to support services.
• Advice on accessing grants and other financial incentives.

The aim of this program is to provide regional and remote communities with access to essential air services that can in turn connect these smaller communities with the rest of Australia. The Scheme supports regional commercial airlines operating low volume and new routes to regional and remote communities; as well as aeromedical providers.

The Government's policy for aviation encourages the growth of regional aviation services across Australia and the expansion of the current network by giving impetus for operators to test whether a new route can be commercially viable in time.

To be eligible for the commercial passenger component of the program:
    The airline has a current Australian air transport (formerly Regular Public Transport (RPT) Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that authorises scheduled air transport operations on the route and authorises the aircraft / aircraft type for air transport services;
    Services are to be operated as scheduled air transport operations (charter services are NOT eligible);
    The route is to be to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC);

• The route is serviced by a single operator;
• The route has no more than 15,000 passenger movements per annum;
• The route does not otherwise receive a subsidy for flight costs from any level of government;
• The proposed route is shown to have an economic and/or social impact on the community; and
• The aircraft type used on the route has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 15,000Kg or less.

Applicants flying commercial routes can obtain assistance of up to 60 per cent of the enroute charge; and up to 100 per cent for new routes for a period of up to three years

To be eligible for the aeromedical component of the program:

• The airline can demonstrate its engagement as a contracted aeromedical provider;
• The airline has an AOC that authorises these services;
• The aeromedical services are conducted using aircraft listed on the airline's AOC as being for this purpose;
• The aircraft used has a MTOW of 15,000Kg or less; AND
• Services operated by the airline are anticipated to include services to/from a Regional or Remote location, as defined by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC).

Please refer to the Guidelines for more details on Eligibility.

The program provides funding with the intention of empowering community and creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to reach their potential.

CAGES Foundation will intentionally seek to fund DGR 1 organisations with high levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, influence, identity and leadership. The foundation’s principle around self-determination is best enacted through supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led organisations however they also recognise the need to build skills and capabilities in these organisations and the communities they exist in. They believe an effective way to do this is to support respectful partnerships between non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations where two-way learning and capacity building at an organisational and community level is intentional.

The Australian Government Indigenous Apprenticeships Program (IAP) is an entry-level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join the Australian Public Service (APS).

Since its inception, the IAP has provided over 2,100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people opportunities to start a career in the APS. These are people with diverse backgrounds including school-leavers, people finishing study and people looking for a new career. The program is a great way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join and contribute to the public service.

Participants gain valuable skills and experience throughout the program, working alongside dedicated people and teams.

This program consists of:

• Full-time work and study: Gain valuable experience while working and studying towards a formal qualification. 
• Variety of roles: Work in different positions depending on your placement agency. 
• Training and development: Access structured training to help you build your skills. 
• Support throughout: Benefit from support provided by your Indigenous mentor, buddy, and study resources to ensure your success. 

Working with the Australian Government offers excellent benefits, including:

• Meaningful Work: Contribute to your community from day one and see the impact you make. 
• Career Advancement: Complete a Certificate IV or a Diploma in Government, depending on your role. 
• Support Network: Get help from your manager, an Indigenous mentor, a buddy, and more. We’re committed to your success. 
• Attractive Salary and Superannuation: Enjoy a competitive salary and generous superannuation benefits. 
• Study Support: Study during work hours to help you complete your qualification.

Grants are available to eligible events that have previously received triennial funding through the Flagship Event stream to support initiatives that have a direct impact on increasing overnight visitation to the event.

The Event Development stream supports the strategic growth of proven events that demonstrate a clear rationale for the continued development of its tourism potential.

Applications for the 2023-24 Event Development stream are now open and will remain open until available funds are exhausted. Applications to the Event Development stream must be received by Destination NSW in sufficient time prior to the next event to allow for assessment and delivery of the initiative for which funding has been requested.

The Bridges Renewal Program is an Australian Government initiative to fund the upgrade and replacement of bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access.

Up until now, these programs invited applications separately through specified, time-limited funding rounds. The Australian Government will now consider projects on an ongoing basis with applications accepted all year round to provide increased flexibility and permit projects to be submitted when they will most benefit Australia’s bridges and heavy vehicle infrastructure.

The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) is an Australian Government initiative to fund infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia.
Up until now, these programs invited applications separately through specified, time-limited funding rounds. The Australian Government will now consider projects on an ongoing basis with applications accepted all year round to provide increased flexibility and permit projects to be submitted when they will most benefit Australia’s bridges and heavy vehicle infrastructure.

The Traffic Route Lighting Subsidy Scheme (TRLSS) is a scheme administered by Roads and Maritime Services whereby councils may apply for a subsidy for providing a higher level of lighting than might normally be provided on certain major routes, with the aim of decreasing night time road crashes. The amount of the subsidy depends on the number of certain types of inventory installed as detailed by each council.

You may be eligible for up to 12 months free mail redirection if a major natural disaster impacts your mail delivery. Australia Post will let affected residents in the region know if this is available .

If you and/or your small business are impacted by floods in October 2022, they can help you with free mail redirection. Call in to your nearest Post Office for more information and to apply.

If you have been impacted by a natural disaster which is making it difficult to manage your payments and obligations with Revenue NSW, we can offer a range of options to help you based on your specific circumstances.

These may include:

• extending payment or lodgement time frames
• arranging payment plans
• lifting licence or registration sanctions
• putting debts on short term hold
• assisting with hardship applications
• considering the emergency situation when assessing requests for review.

You can apply for an additional Child Care Subsidy for Temporary Financial Hardship due to a natural disaster.

If your home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant for individuals.

The financial assistance is provided to help people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses.

The grants assist low-income residents who have no other means of restoring their homes to a safe and habitable condition following a disaster event.

Assistance falls into two categories: 

1. Essential Household Contents Grants to assist with the cost of re-establishing essential household items considered necessary to maintain a basic standard of living.
2. Structural Grants as a contribution toward essential structural repairs to homes for households unable to meet the cost of repairs. The Structural Repair Grants are commonly delivered in the form of either grants to contribute toward essential structural repairs to homes or full rebuilds of property which has been rendered uninhabitable. 

If the natural disaster event has caused damage to a temporary dwelling, assistance provided will depend on the type of temporary dwelling. There are several types of temporary dwelling support available, including support for people living in caravans, houseboats and relocatable homes and rough sleepers.

If you're unable to return to your home due to the floods and need support to enter the private rental market, you can contact the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Housing Contact Centre. A rental bond loan and a grant for advance rent may be available.

• Rentstart Bond Loan – An interest-free loan where you can apply for up to 100% of a rental bond. In exceptional circumstances, Housing NSW may provide a loan of up to 100% of the bond. Your repayment plan is based on how much of your income is spent on rent.
• Advance Rent – A grant that's provided to clients who already have a Rentstart Bond Loan, but are finding it difficult to meet the set-up costs of their tenancy. It's also available to help clients who are moving into caravan parks, or registered boarding houses and hostels where a deposit is needed, rather than a bond having to be lodged with the Bond Board. In this instance, up to 100% of the key money, or security bond, or other deposit is provided. Advance Rent is a grant and doesn't need to be repaid.

Farm Household Allowance (FHA) provides assistance to farming families experiencing financial hardship. This program focuses on helping farmers make important decisions to improve their long-term financial situation.

The support available includes:

• a fortnightly payment for up to 4 years in each specific 10-year period
• supplementary allowances such as rent assistance, telephone and pharmaceutical allowances and a Health Care Card
• individual case support with a Farm Household Case Officer (FHCO)
• a financial assessment of the farm enterprise worth up to $1500
• up to $10,000 in activity supplements that gives farmers an opportunity to develop skills, access training and pay for professional advice to better manage their business into the future

Payroll tax customers have the option of deferring their payroll tax payments until 14 January 2022. All customers are still required to lodge the 2020/21 annual reconciliation by the due date which has been extended to 14 January 2022. In addition, customers have the option of deferring their monthly payments for the July to December 2021 return periods until 14 January 2022.

From 13 December 2021, customers will be able to establish a Support Payment Arrangement for up to 12 months. The plan will be interest free and customers will have the option to include tax payable from the 2020/21 annual reconciliation and any monthly liabilities for July to December 2021 return periods.

The initiative also includes a 50% reduction in 2021/22 payroll tax liability for business with grouped Australian wages of $10 million or less who experience a 30 per cent decline in turnover.