Following today’s announcement that lockdown has been extended by another month to 13 October, the ACT Government will extend and expand a range of financial support measures.
“Throughout the pandemic, the ACT Government has prioritised measures to support the most vulnerable members of our community and ensure our health response is fully resourced,” said Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
$1,000 Utilities Concession for 2021-22
The utilities concession will be increased by $200 to bring it to $1,000 for 2021-22. Mr Barr said this would help the most vulnerable in our community with a significant expense throughout the year.
Including June’s $100 increase, the utilities concession for 31,000 eligible households in Canberra will increase from $700 last financial year to $1,000 this financial year. The estimated cost of the Utilities concession to the ACT Government in 2021-22 will be $31 million.
Support for Tenants and Landlords
The land tax and commercial rates relief to landlords who provide rent relief to their tenants has been doubled, and extended until 31 December 2021.
Earlier this month, the ACT Government offered a commercial rates credit of $5,000 to commercial landlords who offered rent relief to their tenants. That rates credit has been increased to $10,000, at an estimated total cost to the ACT Government of $5.5 million.
Residential landlords providing rent relief will be eligible for a credit on their residential land tax of up to $100 per week. This has been extended until 31 December, at an estimated total cost of $2.2 million.
The ACT Government will waive rent payments until 31 December for any business and community sector tenants of government-owned properties that have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Further information can be found here for landlords and tenants.
Jobs for Canberrans
The ACT Government will extend the contracts for over 110 staff in the Jobs for Canberrans program, which created 500 jobs in the ACT Public Service in areas like City Services, Access Canberra, Health and Education.
All other ACT Public Sector temporary employment contracts due to expire have been extended for six more weeks.
Community Sector
The Government will make additional funding announcements in the coming days regarding further crisis response funding in areas such as mental health and emergency relief, and related service delivery partnerships with the community sector.
ACT Budget 2021-22
The ACT Budget will be delivered on Wednesday 6 October. Mr Barr said the COVID response would be the major priority. The budget will also invest in healthcare, public education and TAFE, public housing, responding to climate change, and transport and infrastructure.
Jointly funded support with the Commonwealth Government
The ACT Government and the Commonwealth Government are extending jointly funded financial supports to support businesses significantly impacted by the public health measures, and consistent with arrangements in place for other jurisdictions. Mr Barr expects to make further joint announcements in the coming days.
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