Current COVID Measures Available for Businesses

Victorian Businesses

Business Support Fund – Expansion Grant of $5,000

Businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that are affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant under the Business Support Fund – Expansion program.

Applications for the program close on 19 August 2020.

This program is in addition to the $10,000 grant available in the first round of the Business Support Fund, which closed on 1 June 2020. (Which was only available for those businesses with payroll of less than $650,000.)

Businesses can apply where they meet all the criteria listed below:

• operate a business located in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire
• be a participant in the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper Payment scheme
• employ people
• be registered with WorkSafe on 30 June 2020
• have an annual payroll of less than $3 million in 2019-20 on an upgrouped basis
• be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) as at 30 June 2020
• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at 30 June 2020
• be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator (ASIC)

Please contact our office if you would like us to apply for this grant, alternatively the application is below should you like to apply yourself:

www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-package/business-support-fund

The following programs have no details as yet but businesses can register their interest in the programs to receive information at the following link:

www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-package

Regional Tourism Support Program

The new Regional Tourism Support Program will provide $40 million for regional tourism businesses to cover the costs of refunds.

CBD Business Support Fund

$20 million CBD Business Support Fund to help small businesses in Melbourne’s CBD faced with a large and sustained shock to their trading environments.

Night-time Economy Support Program

The Victorian Government has launched a $30 million dedicated fund for the hardest hit businesses in hospitality.

Additional Childcare Subsidy available for those experiencing temporary financial hardship

Although the Government will no longer offer free child care, there is an option to apply for an additional subsidy for those that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID. Please apply with Centrelink.