200,000 tradies to benefit from $50 million licence fee lifeline

Up to 200,000 tradies will benefit from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement that they’ll be given a lifeline on licence fees of up to $50 million.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced around 200,000 licence holders operating in the trades and construction sectors will not have to pay up to $50 million worth of licence fees.

Ms Berejiklian announced the lifeline this morning, saying fees would be waived to tradies for the next 12 months and that the decision is a crucial part of the NSW Government’s first economic stimulus package.

The move, she said, will provide much-needed relief for small businesses, at a time when cash flow is critical.

“It is the least we can do to support these businesses and their staff through this challenging time,” she said.

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NSW Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the nation would need ‘every tradie with us’ for the COVID-19 recovery process. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope added the State Government was focused on keeping businesses in business and as many people as possible in jobs.

“Our number one priority is the health and safety of the community, but this is a dual challenge and we need to do everything we can to ensure the NSW economy emerges with a strong beating heart,” he said.

Under the package, when a tradesman applies to renew their license now they will not have to pay the usual fee – saving building contractors as much as $465.

Mr Tudehope said when Australia emerges from the crisis, we’ll need “every tradie with us” for the recovery process.

“Whether they be plumbers, carpenters or builders, those people are so important to the recovery of this state after we get through this period.”

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Businesses in the entertainment and hospitality sectors have also been given a year-long waiver on liquor licences and certain SafeWork NSW and NSW Fair Trading fees and charges.

“Whether it’s a local cafe, restaurant, indoor sporting venue, gym or club, we want to ensure they have every chance to continue to support our communities. While it seems a long way off now this will pass and we don’t want any road blocks for people,” Mr Tudehope said.

ClubsNSW chief executive Josh Landis described the decision as a helpful initiative, following on from the gaming and payroll tax deferral announcement that will also help the industry stay afloat.

“This is a sensible move by the Government and one which will provide some additional relief for the industry, particularly for smaller venues and those in rural and regional parts of the state,” he said at the time of the package’s announcement.

“This is an exceptionally challenging time for clubs and every little bit of assistance.”