This business update provides information about a range of Northern Territory Government grants and programs currently available to East Arnhem businesses, as well as upcoming Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce training.

BUSINESS HARDSHIP PACKAGE

The Business Hardship Package helps Northern Territory small businesses that have experienced significant hardship due to the COVID-19 omicron wave.

Eligible businesses can apply to be listed on the Business Hardship Register. This will allow access to the Hardship Package, including the Business Hardship Grant payment. Once added to the register, businesses will receive a certificate which will let them access certain concessions and be assessed for the Business Hardship Grant.

Eligible businesses can receive:

• $3,000 for employing businesses, or $1,000 for sole traders
• a 30% reduction on utility bills from January 2022 until March 2022
• a waiver on payroll tax (payroll below $5 million) from January 2022 to March 2022.

For more information about the Business Hardship Package, please contact East Arnhem Region Small Business Champion Jarrod Ellis at jarrod.ellis@nt.gov.au

Applications opened on Monday 7 February 2022.

BUSINESS GROWTH PROGRAM

The Business Growth Program helps businesses access professional services to improve their performance, sustainability and profitability. It also provides mentoring and coaching support.

Eligible businesses can apply for funding up to $10,000 based on a 50-50 co-contribution. The funding can be used for professional services in any of the following grant categories:

• strategy
• marketing
• operations
• financials
• people and culture.

For more information about the Business Growth, please contact East Arnhem Region Small Business Champion Jarrod Ellis at jarrod.ellis@nt.gov.au

TOURISM EVENING EXPERIENCES DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

The Northern Territory Government is providing funding to assist tourism operators to develop evening experiences in the regions. 

The Destination Management Plans highlight the need to further develop night time tourism experiences and extend the breadth of experiences available, increase length of stay and support regional dispersal.

If your business has a great idea for an outdoor tourism experience, you can contact DEAL’s Tourism Development Officer Ryley Heap for support with your application at tourism@developingeastarnhem.com.au 

Applications are now open, and close on 28 February 2022.

BOOK NOW FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISM BUSINESSES

Consumers are increasingly choosing to book online. Being instantly bookable is a critical element of meeting customer expectations and ensuring that your business receives the booking.  
 
The Book Now for Aboriginal Tourism Businesses grant program aligns with the Northern Territory Aboriginal Tourism Strategy to improve the visitor experience and encourage visitors to travel to our regions and stay longer.

Successful applicants will access up to $5,000 + GST funding to:

• implement an online booking system to integrate on their current website or 
• implement a website that features a booking system.

If your business is thinking of applying, you can contact DEAL’s Tourism Development Officer Ryley Heap for support with your application at tourism@developingeastarnhem.com.au 

Applications are now open, and close on 18 May 2022.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – UPCOMING TRAINING

The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce is holding the below workshops over the coming months:

• NTG Tenders Training and Major Works Training with Sally Morris – 12 April 2022
  • This session will look at an overview of tenders that are offered by the Northern Territory Government. A range of topics will be covered and will be based on an interactive session to allow for questions.
  • Held online (Territory wide)
• Health and Safety Representative Training – 6 June 2022
  • The Health and Safety Representative initial 5 day course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to enable them to fulfil the role of Health and Safety Representative (HSR) as set down in Section 72 of the Workplace Health & Safety Act 2011.
  • Held face to face in Nhulunbuy (5 day course)
• Health and Safety Representative Refresher – 11 June 2022
  • This 1 day HSR Refresher program provides updates to legislation, a revision of roles and responsibilities as a HSR, and an opportunity to network and share valuable HSR experiences.
  • Held face to face in Nhulunbuy (1 day course)
• Grant Writing Workshop with Sally Morris – 12 July 2022
  • This workshop will cover (but is not limited to): how to identify potential grant sources and match them with your project; how to organise and interpret information in a creative manner; and how to successfully write a competitive grant proposal in accordance with grant guidelines.
  • Held online (Territory wide)

For more information about any of the upcoming Chamber of Commerce training, please contact Alicia Byron at abyron@chambernet.com.au