Circulars

What’s new or changing

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has released updated resources that will assist councils to apply for the Council Job Retention Allowance Subsidy for the first quarter 2020-21 (Q1), a key element of the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package.

What this will mean for your council

• The following documents are now available:
  • Guidelines for the Council Job Retention Allowance Subsidy (JRA Guidelines)
  • Financial Stimulus Eligibility Criteria (Eligibility Criteria) 2020-21; and
  • Financial Stimulus Eligibility Return – 2020-21 (FSER).
• The JRA Guidelines, Eligibility Criteria and FSER provide detailed guidance to assist councils determine their eligibility for the JRA Subsidy for Q1.
• Councils are encouraged to submit the FSER to access the JRA Subsidy.
• OLG will inform councils of the outcome of its assessment of the FSER.

Key points

• All councils should have submitted their funding agreement to benefit from the Stimulus Package.
• The JRA Guidelines, Eligibility Criteria and FSER are available for download from the COVID-19 page on OLG’s website and the Council Portal page.
• A council’s FSER will be its application for the JRA Subsidy.
• The FSER should be completed and emailed to FSER@olg.nsw.gov.au by 14 August 2020. Late submissions will be considered but may delay payment of the JRA Subsidy.
• Councils who do not wish to access the JRA do not need to submit a FSER.

Where to go for further information

• Councils should contact OLG’s Performance Team about the Eligibility Criteria and the FSER, and their Council Engagement Manager about the Stimulus Package or in relation to other COVID-19 matters.

Tim Hurst
Deputy Secretary
Local Government, Planning and Policy