THOUSANDS of organisations across the region are reliant on JobKeeper as calls to extend the wage subsidy scheme continue.
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The Treasury has released figures on just how many applications have been processed by postcode, with thousands received from across the Central West.
In this region the Parkes postcode leads the way with 375 applications, this is followed by Young with 361, Forbes with 351 and Cowra with 321.
The Cootamundra postcode rated the next highest in the region at 185 applications, followed by Grenfell (161), Harden (113) and Canowindra (101).
Data is for businesses and not-for-profits that have had JobKeeper payments for the April fortnights. This is the most recent data available.
Business NSW's Western NSW regional manager Vicki Seccombe said she was not surprised by the number of businesses that have applied for JobKeeper.
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"Many business owners across the region were hit hard with the pandemic, and were already highly impacted by drought and or bushfire prior to that," she said.
Ms Seccombe estimates that 30 to 40 per cent of all businesses in Western NSW have accessed the JobKeeper payments, this includes sole traders, farmers or people working for themselves.
"If you delve a bit further and you just look at the number of employing businesses who have accessed the payment, then we believe it's more likely to be 80 per cent to 90 per cent," she said.
JobKeeper has been crucial for our business community, Ms Seccombe said and the government needs to think very carefully about how it winds back the initiative.
"Business NSW has been saying for some time that September is going to be the month where the true impacts of the pandemic hit home with JobKeeper set to end and a number of deferral measures the banks initiated at the start of the pandemic are also due to expire," she said.
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"Those industries that have been most impacted by COVID-19 will need targeted support post September, this includes industries such as accommodation and food services, retail, arts & recreation, education and training."
Looking further afield there have been 1423 JobKeeper applications in the Dubbo postcode, with 1301 in Orange and 1141 in Bathurst.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
