Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday afternoon that $130 billion would be spent over six months to provide companies with $1500 in fortnightly 'JobKeeper' wage subsidies per worker.

Less than 24 hours later, Wagga Marine owner Craig Harris said he had applied for the scheme as his boat dealership had lost "a minimum" 30 per cent of its revenue since March 1 and should be eligible.

"I have applied for them; whether or not I can get them is another thing," he said.

Mr Harris said the subsidies were a "good thing" and we would keep people on the books "for sure" if he was approved for the 'JobKeeper' scheme.

"I have sent my blokes home because there is not enough work for them," he said.

"If I can keep paying them, it's going to help them and help them to stay here for longevity.

"If people have got money, they will be able to spend it when they are able go out to play."

Mr Harris said he would prefer more severe restrictions over a shorter time period to stop the coronavirus and allow businesses to recover in a better state once the pandemic was over.

"[Revenue] is down a minimum of 30 per cent. Everyone is scared. I'm not bagging the government, you know, but I think they need to have a full shutdown and knock [coronavirus] on the head.

"I know that would be bad for the economy and business owners like myself and everyone else, but if we get rid of it sooner it is not going to drag on.

"I would rather not work for four weeks than have only 25 per cent of my income for 10 to 12 weeks."

Riverina MP Michael McCormack said the payments would shield many regional Australians from losing their jobs.

"This historic announcement goes to the heart of what regional Australians have always stood for - a fair go for everyone," he said.

"Make no mistake, we are in uncharted waters and facing challenges on two fronts - a health crisis and an economic crisis."

More than 60,000 businesses across Australia had applied for wage subsidies by late Monday morning.

The Daily Advertiser spoke with multiple businesses who were still going through the paperwork involved and did not want to make a statement until they could fully examine the JobKeeper rules.

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Cave Restaurant and Bar and Crowley's Hot Sauce owner Jason Crowley said he would have to add up his takings since the coronavirus started to see if he was eligible.

"There are a lot of questions that relate to [wage subsidies] but there are a lot of things that lie behind that," he said.

"[The government] has come out with a blanket statement but there are a number of caveats..at the end of the day how does it all work?"

Mr Crowley said he would use the scheme if he was eligible.

"We have seen a reduction in trade; some days it's down 50 per cent, some days its down 30 per cent and some days we might OK," he said.

"If we fall into that model and there is cash flow to support our staff, we will look into it.

"We have got other companies that haven't got any trade going on but have employees that would be eligible, so we would look closely with that to see whether we can create jobs for employees from those other companies."

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