The McGowan Government has today announced that Western Australian small and medium businesses and households will receive additional relief as part of a $607 million WA stimulus package.

Relief for Businesses

The following relief will be provided to businesses:

  1. Payroll Tax paying businesses with payroll between $1 million and $4 million will receive a one-off grant of $17,500;
  2. The payroll Tax threshold will increase from $950,000 to $1 million from 1 July 2020 (six months earlier than planned); and
  3. Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply to defer payroll Tax payments until 21 July 2020. At this stage the deferral is available to employers who pay $7.5 million or less in Australian Taxable Wages.

Relief for Households

The following relief will be provided to households:

  1. $402 million will be allocated to freeze household fees and charges until at least 1 July 2021. The freeze will apply to entire 'household basket', including electricity, water, motor vehicle charges, emergency services levy and public transport fares; and
  2. Energy Assistance Payment doubled from $300 to $600 to support vulnerable Western Australians, including pensioners.

The measure is aimed to help support the State's economy in response to COVID-19 by providing relief to Western Australian families, seniors and business owners.