The number of Dubbo businesses relying on JobKeeper has fallen sharply, ahead of the scheme's end in five weeks.
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In October there were 599 organisations within the 2830 postcode that had applications processed for the wage subsidy, and in November 587, the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) figures, published by Treasury, show.
The figures were in stark contrast to those of earlier in the year, when for five consecutive months from May a total of more than 1500 organisations within the 2830 postcode had applications processed.
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The wage subsidy was an economic response by the federal government to the coronavirus pandemic, originally due to end in September but then continued until March 28, with changes.
October marked the start of the first JobKeeper extension period, bringing with it tightened eligibility criteria for businesses to qualify, and a cut to the fortnightly rate, with a two-tier system replacing the flat $1500 rate.
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce president Matt Wright said a lot of businesses had "wound down" their reliance on JobKeeper.
"The region, especially the city, has recovered pretty quickly and those businesses that were feeling the pinch, especially those hospitality and restaurant, cafe-type businesses, are all back open and in full force again now," he said.
"So they're all travelling very, very well.
"There's still a lot of businesses that are reliant on travellers, those tourism operators, travel agents, those poor guys who are really doing it tough and while borders remain closed both statewide and internationally, they're the ones that will continue to feel the pinch.
"I think there's probably an opportunity for the government to look at ways to continue to help those businesses affected within those certain industries."
Mr Wright said for many businesses during the period, JobKeeper had been a lifesaver.
"They wouldn't have survived without it, without a doubt," he said.
There had been some concerns, with reports of employees "not necessarily having the incentive to go back to work if they were getting $1500 a fortnight and many business owners struggling to get workers", Mr Wright said.
"But overall, to roll something out as quickly as they did, the government's probably to be congratulated on that side of things," he said.
Dubbo and western NSW had 1216 job vacancies in January, data compiled by the Regional Australia Institute shows.
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I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
