A $607 million stimulus package has been announced by the WA Government to support WA households and small businesses in the wake of COVID-19.
$402 million has been allocated to freeze household fees and charges until at least 1 July 2021. The freeze applies to the entire ‘household basket’ including electricity, water, motor vehicle charges, emergency services levy and public transport fares. Additionally, the Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) will double to $600 to support vulnerable Western Australians, including pensioners.
For businesses, $114 million in additional measures have been granted:
- one-off grant of $17,500 for payroll tax paying businesses with a payroll between $1 million and $4 million, benefiting approximately 7,400 businesses
- $1 million payroll tax threshold bought forward by six months to 1 July 2020, benefiting 11,000 businesses
- small and medium-sized businesses able to apply to defer payment of their 2019-20 payroll tax until 21 July 2020.
For more information see the COVID-19 economic response: Relief for businesses and households media statement.
