COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program

On 1 December 2020 the Australian Government announced a $128 million scheme to assist travel agents who have been impacted by COVID-19. Assistance will help businesses as they are operating in exceptional circumstances during the pandemic and continue to hold travel credits for consumers.

Under the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program, eligible travel agents and tour arranging service businesses will be able to apply for a one-off taxable payment. Payments will be scaled based on the turnover of the business, with a minimum payment of $1,500 for a business with a turnover of $50,000 up to a maximum payment of $100,000 for a business with a turnover of $20 million.

Eligible applicants

To be eligible for a payment, a business will need to meet the following requirements:

• Operating a business as either a travel agent or tour arrangement service provider prior to the announcement of the closure of international borders by the Prime Minister on 19 March 2020,
• Have had an annual turnover starting from $50,000 up to a maximum of $20 million for the 2019 calendar year,
• Have received a payment for a JobKeeper fortnight ending in October 2020 – that is JobKeeper fortnight 14 (28 September 2020 to 11 October 2020) and JobKeeper fortnight 15 (12 October 2020 to 25 October 2020)
• Provide evidence supporting you are a travel agent or tour operator by holding active incorporation or registration, as of 30 November 2020, with at least one of the following entities: AFTA, ATEC, CATO or a tourism peak industry body. Please note VTIC also qualifies as a peak industry body, and can provide members with a letter of support. 

Applications and timing

The Australian Government has announced a second round of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program will be available. Information will be available soon.

More information, including eligibility and how to apply is available from Services Australia