About this survey

Dear members,

Thank you!

Early in January 2022, we asked for your support to complete our Omicron Business Conditions Survey  -  and you responded in your thousands². The survey was conducted in support of our requests to government,

• to extend commercial rent relief,
• re-visit JobSaver and
• subsidise RAT tests for small businesses.

The information that you provided enabled us to quantify and clarify where and how Omicron was affecting your business, communities and confidence. 

Your voice enabled the collective voice of NSW businesses to be heard quickly and clearly by government.

Shortly after presenting the findings, I was asked to join the Premier and Treasurer for the announcement of the new support package designed to help keep small businesses open.

From 1 February, businesses of turnover between $75,000 and $50 million are set to gain some relief, and this is in addition to the rent relief extension to mid-March already announced. The details of the package are outlined in the introduction of this report.

We know the dramatic impacts that Omicron has had on consumer confidence and your business viability, especially in what many of you had hoped would be your busiest time of the year. What’s crucial now is that customers regain the confidence to fully return to our CBDs, town centres and suburban high streets, and do so in a safe manner.

Your voice has again helped us get through these difficult times – together.

Again thanks,

Dan Hunter
Chief Executive Officer, Business NSW

Note 1: this letter is abridged from Dan Hunter's email to Business NSW members, 30 January 2022.
Note 2: the Business NSW Omicron Surge business conditions survey was completed by over 3,000 members between 12-26 January 2022. The survey is powered by Qualtrics.