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Travel agents hurt by border closures and the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 are being encouraged to apply for a one-off government grant, with a third of the program utilised so far.
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One-off travel agent grant sees $33m paid out
25 January 2021
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The COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program provides a one-off grant of $1,500 to $100,000 to travel agents or tour arrangement service providers who had an annual GST turnover of between $50,000 and $20 million in the 2019 calendar year.
The $128 million grant program opened on 14 December last year and has so far seen around $33 million paid out ahead of its 13 March end date.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said just 809 travel agents had received payments so far, with another 1,500 applications being processed.
“I encourage all travel agents who haven’t applied yet to go online and start an application. There are more than 2,500 small businesses with turnover below $500,000 who are eligible, but many may not yet have applied,” Mr Tehan said.
“Providing support to travel agents will also protect Australians who have cancelled travel plans and hold credit with agencies.”
Accountants’ role
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Applications for the grant are processed through Services Australia, with applicants needing to provide a certificate of tax information from the ATO — issued once a claim application is initiated.
Applicants cannot contact the ATO directly for the certificate, and it will only be issued through the Services Australia application.
The tax certificate will be sent to the mailing address of the applicant’s ABN, which may be a tax agent’s address.
It may also be sent to a tax agent’s client mail inbox in online services for agents if communication preferences have been set for the practice to receive client mail.
Sole traders may also receive the certificate through their myGov inbox if their account is linked to the ATO.
Once the certificate has been issued, applicants will need to upload it on Services Australia’s Business Hub to complete the claim process.
The ATO had previously urged practitioners who may receive these certificates on behalf of their travel agent clients to forward them as soon as possible to help their clients meet the application deadline.
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