Eligible businesses and workers have been thrown a lifeline to help them weather the financial storm created by the coronavirus pandemic.
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That's certainly the case at Peak Coffee thanks to the federal government's wage subsidy called the JobKeeper payment.
Peak Coffee director Sean Edwards said the JobKeeper payment would keep the business alive.
"It allows us to keep trading and maintain the business we've built up over 15 years and lock in specialised staff," Mr Edwards said.
The $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy is designed to help businesses significantly affected by the coronavirus to cover the costs of their employees' wages, so more employees can keep their job and continue to earn an income.
Business at Peak Coffee has dropped by more than 50 per cent due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Peak Coffee stood down six staff on Monday, March 30 but the JobKeeper payment has brought renewed hope.
In Peak Coffee's instance, those staff will be able to access the JobKeeper payment and return to work.
"We will find work for them within the constraints of what pay we can give them from the government," Mr Edwards said.
"We are the gateway between the government and the employees."
It is expected around six million workers across the country will receive the JobKeeper payment.
Wauchope's Coffee on High owner Jarad Mea said the subsidy meant he didn't have to stand down staff.
"It's great as long as we remain open," he said.
"We've just got to use the time we've got to improve on our services and create revenue streams."
The Wauchope business, in the wake of the federal government announcement, put together a marketing plan over social media about packaging ready-made meals which can be home delivered or sold over the counter.
Business groups welcome the JobKeeper payment
Business NSW regional manager Kellon Beard said the JobKeeper payment was certainly a good initiative.
He said it allowed businesses to keep in touch with their staff and keep their staff paid.
"It's a good way to keep businesses and their employees in touch so they can be in a position to start up once some of the restrictions are lifted," Mr Beard said.
The government will provide $1,500 a fortnight per employee to eligible businesses for up to six months under the scheme.
The subsidy will allow employers and employees to stay connected while some businesses move into hibernation, while for other eligible businesses, it will mean employees can keep working.
Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce executive officer Mark Wilson described the JobKeeper payment as unprecedented.
"It's going to be very positively received and should help an awful lot of businesses get through a tough time," he said.
Mr Wilson said the JobKeeper payment would give a lot of business owners financial and mental relief, and allow them to go on with structuring their business to suit the current situation.
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