Small business rebate

The rebate provides up to $500 to small business owners and sole traders in NSW who buy and install equipment to make their workplace safer.

Changes have been made to support small business and sole traders in NSW that have recently been impacted by a natural disaster, state of emergency or COVID-19

Any sole trader or small business owner that has completed an eligible event with SafeWork after 1 August 2019 has 12 months to apply for the rebate.
New workplace hygiene items are also eligible.

Before you apply

You need to:

check the terms and conditions to make sure you are eligible
attend a free eligible event or arrange a free advisory visit from a SafeWork NSW officer
buy and install eligible safety items to address a safety problem in your workplace.

Watch this short video on how to claim the $500 small business rebate

Frequently asked questions

Am I eligible?

If you meet all the following criteria, you're eligible to apply for a small business rebate:

you’ve attended an eligible event (eg free SafeWork NSW safety workshop, webinar), or had an advisory visit or digital engagement with a SafeWork NSW officer
you are the owner of a small business or sole trader who employs less than 50 people (equivalent full time)
you haven’t previously received a small business rebate from SafeWork or WorkCover NSW
you’re conducting a commercial business producing goods or providing services in NSW
your business is registered in NSW and comes within the scope of the work health and safety legislation in NSW

Details of who is not eligible can be found in the terms and conditions.

How do I apply?

Within 12 months of attending the advisory visit, safety workshop, program or event, you must:

identify, purchase and implement your eligible safety item
get a paid tax invoice and receipt (or proof of purchase). The item must be purchased after you attend an eligible SafeWork NSW safety activity.
complete an online rebate application form or print an application form and return it to us by:
- email - safetyrebate@safework.nsw.gov.au
- post to Small Business Rebate, SafeWork NSW, Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow NSW 2252.
attach a copy of your paid tax invoice and receipt.

Your application may be delayed if the form isn't complete, tax invoices/receipts are not attached or details are incorrect.

Hygiene items

Items

Temporarily eligible to support business hygiene measures during COVID-19.

Portable hand sanitiser stations*
Fixed hand sanitiser stations*
Fixed disinfectant wipes dispenser*
Safety signs for COVID-19 workplace arrangements e.g. fixed hand sanitiser stations and disinfectant wipes stations
Bins with hands free lid operation (foot pedal or sensor)*
Sneeze/ cough guards
Roller cleaning buckets
Chemical storage

*limit of 5 per application

Exclusions

Personal protective equipment
Hand sanitiser
Bin liners
Other hygiene items not listed

If you’re unsure if your item is eligible, please email us.

Lifting, carrying, transporting

Items

manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum or magnetic lifting devices
hoist, crane, fork lift, tool suppression system
adjustable loading platform, jigs, trestles, racking or stacking systems
conveyor or elevator systems, stock picking machine
access ramps, skids, tailgate lifter, dock leveller
patient handling and/or transfer devices
animal handling

Items should be designed to limit issues that arise due to manual handling, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving, holding or restraining in workflows. Where specific standards apply to items eg. Australian Standards, the item should comply with that standard.

Typical items include:

trolleys
ute cranes
pallet rollers
stockyard systems
pen doors/chutes
drafting gates
overhead shearing plant
warehouse racking
light-weight portable fencing

Handling objects

Items

pulley system and harnesses for confined spaces
back-pack industrial equipment
rotary, tilt and carousel table/platform
power stretchers for carpet installation

Typical items include:

industrial backpack vacuum cleaners, sprayers
telephone headsets – hands free

Muscular stress

Items

adjustable or tilting work bench, table, or work station
ergonomic adjustable work vehicle seats including anti-vibration and all spring suspension
anti-fatigue and high density, absorbent floor matting

Typical items include:

anti-fatigue mats
adjustable examination table
ergonomic truck seat

Repetitive work

Items

retractable hoses/leads
low vibration, ergonomic equipment

Typical items include:

pneumatic nail gun

Slips, trips and falls items

Falls from a height

Items

portable ladders, steps or platforms
accessories for fixed access ladder – eg cage
scaffolding or elevating work platforms
warning signage (including translated safety signage)
industrial fall arrest systems, harness support and devices, rope access equipment
physical restraint barrier and guard railing systems
extension equipment for height access – eg water jets for window height
emergency position-indicating radio beacons – 406 MHz (EPIRBs)
pit cover or open penetration and void protection
mechanical tripod to support people, loads and materials being lifted or lowered from openings

Typical items include:

ladders
retractable stairs
harnesses
roof anchors
guard rails
grab rails/handles
stair treads
edge protection
rails, and screens

Falls on the same level

Items

installation of improved general, entrance or exit lighting
portable or battery-powered lighting and generators
anti-slip treading or matting
surface treatment machinery,
installation of balancers or restraint supports to mount processing equipment, tools, power cords, leads or hoses to prevent trip hazards.
cable guards, hose suspension system or stand
storage system to improve work design

Typical items include:

pressure cleaners
lighting
racking systems
stair capping,
nosings and safe plates

Stepping, kneeling or sitting on objects

Items

Kneeling pads and knee protection equipment

Typical items include:

kneepads
support frames for kneeling and stooping

Injuries from moving objects items

Being hit or bitten by an animal

Items

animal restraint equipment or device
sliding segregation gate for livestock transport vehicles

Typical items include:

cattle crush
lamb marking cradle
head bales
race panels

Being hit by falling and stationary objects

Item

guard and foot rails
falling object protective barrier
signage for access / egress (including translated safety signage)
restraint supports for equipment and tools
vehicle load covers and load restraints

Typical items include:

cargo nets
tarp covers
fixed nets
pallet nets
mesh canopies
tarp spreader
tag lines
non-rebounding tensioners or strapping to secure loads

Colliding with moving or stationary objects

Items

warning/safety lights
corner vision or convex mirrors
traffic management tools
reversing cameras, sensor devices or alarms
elevated walkway or pedestrian crossing gates
safety cages or guarding for tyre rim assembly/fitting
stanchions or chocks to secure log stacking

Typical items include:

signage (including translated safety signage)
reversing cameras
marking
safety cone
flag, barricade or bunting
bollards

Being trapped by machinery or equipment

Items

machine guarding
emergency stop switches
power take off guards
for tractors only: rollover protective structures (ROPs), runover protective devices, and side access steps/platforms

Typical items include:

safety bar for wool press
cut out switch
forklift spring belts

Being assaulted

Items

communication radios or vehicle tracking systems
closed circuit television (CCTV)
high-value goods storage – eg drop/time-delay safes
installation of improved internal/external security lighting

Typical items include:

Personal duress alarms

Chemicals and dangerous goods items

Contact with chemicals, substances or sun exposure

Items

chemical/dangerous goods (DG) storage cabinets or wire mesh secure partitioning
bunding, spills containment system
installation of safe ventilation, exhaust or extraction systems
air filtering systems for machinery
dust suppression tools and attachments
asbestos and hazardous dust vacuum cleaners with dust class level ‘H’ filter and compliant with AS 60335.2.69:2003
detection system, alarm or shut down device Installation or repositioning of emergency stop buttons
closed chemical delivery system
automatic chemical dispensing system
chemical signage, marking and placarding system (including translated safety signage)
bottom fill equipment for fuel tanks
sun shade protection for rural and outdoor work areas

Typical items include:

specialised dust extraction units
CO² monitor
gazebos, marquees
sharps disposal container

Hazardous noise items

Exposure to sound

Items

sound absorbent surface/film, barriers or screens to block direct path of sound
enclosures, door seals or sound proof covers around noise sources
acoustic silencers or mufflers for intake or exhaust systems
specialised personal hearing protectors, as part of hearing conservation program
signage to indicate areas of hazardous noise and protection required (including translated safety signage)
visual warning signal system
hand-held noise monitor

What can't I buy?

Items not eligible

GST, freight and insurance costs
the design and manufacture of new safety items or items that you have had designed and manufactured to your specifications. Items must be existing manufactured items that meet relevant standards and available from commercial outlets
purchase of raw materials, for example making shelves from wood, nails, screws
service repairs or maintenance eg. engine and motors
sponsorship arrangements, including funding of events, educational programs or materials, advertising, or consultants
normal business operating expenses, including general business administration, computers and software, ergonomic furniture (items such as chairs, keyboard and mouse), housekeeping, amenities, assets/equipment, repairs, maintenance, servicing
normal safety requirements including licensing, certification, fines, testing and auditing services, return-to-work, rehabilitation, counselling or vaccination services
training fees or courses – training needs to be reinforced with safety tools eg knowledge of manual handling needs to be supported with the right manual handling equipment or modifications to the work environment in order to have greatest impact on injuries
personal protective equipment (PPE) - for the majority of risks, PPE is deemed to be the lowest control, and funds should not subsidise perishable items eg sun creams, disposable gloves, vests, etc. PPE items are not presently covered in current rebate programs
non-tangible items - safety solutions need to have a direct impact on safety, and clear eligibility criteria in order to approve and process rebate payments
backdated improvements made prior to attending an eligible SafeWork NSW safety event
domestic, recreational or social products or equipment including items for home-based businesses that may be deemed as being used for domestic/household purposes or contributing to the value of residential assets.
items and services that are not purchased from a registered business ABN/ACN/BRN and do not meet all relevant standards, approvals, local government and legislative requirements.

What do I need to complete my application?

a tax invoice from a supplier with an ABN. The tax invoice should show a nil balance or note proof of payment. A 'PAID' stamp across the invoice is not sufficient
a receipt for payment in full for the goods (or proof of payment)
details of your eligible event – where, when, with whom. If you attended a webinar, attach your certificate of attendance.
your business details including ABN, trading name, business bank account and workers compensation policy number (if applicable).

Read the terms and conditions for more information.

If I apply, will an Inspector visit my workplace?

Not as a result of receiving the rebate. The rebate is given out to help you adopt solutions to address high risk safety problems in your workplace.

An Inspector might visit if there are concerns an item has not been installed or we need to check the item is being used as intended eg. machine guards.

Things to keep in mind

the rebate is for a maximum of $500. For example, if you have a solution that totals $250 then you will receive $250 or, if you have one or many (different) eligible solutions that total $2,800 you will receive $500.
you can claim for more than one eligible solution on your application form but can only apply once for the small business rebate. For example, you could purchase a number of safety solutions to prevent falls from a height - such as scaffolding, edge protection and industrial fall arrest equipment - and include all three invoices in your one rebate application form
you must buy your goods after your eligible interaction with SafeWork NSW
make sure the copies of your tax invoice(s) and receipt(s) you scan and send are clear and easy to read
applications are usually processed within 4 weeks of being received (if all information is complete and correct)

My question hasn't been answered

Call us on 13 10 50 or email safetyrebate@safework.nsw.gov.au.