The Victorian Government is backing businesses most affected by the seven-day circuit breaker action, including operators in the hospitality, retail, events and creative industries with further targeted support.
Victorians and Victorian businesses are doing the hard thing, but the right thing – keeping their doors shut to keep all of us safe. That’s why we are announcing a $250.7 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to help up to 90,000 Victorian businesses that have been affected by the restrictions that will run until 11:59pm on Thursday, 3 June.
The package features three initiatives for small to medium-sized businesses and sole traders.
The $190.01 million second round of the Business Costs Assistance Program will offer grants of $2,500 for eligible businesses directly affected by the circuit-breaker industry restrictions, including restaurants and cafes, event suppliers, accommodation providers and non-essential retailers.
A $40.7 million new round of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will provide businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3,500 grant per premises.
An allocation of $20 million will be dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions, with more details to be provided shortly.
On 30 May 2021, the Victorian Government launched a $250 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions announced on 27 May 2021.
Business Resilience Package overview
The Victorian Government is investing $3 billion to help businesses impacted by ongoing restrictions and prepare for COVID Normal business.
$3 billion in cash grants, tax relief and cashflow support will be delivered to Victorian businesses that have been most affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. The package will help businesses survive and keep Victorians in jobs.
Business Support
- Small and medium sized business ($822 million): The third round of the Business Support Fund provides grants of $20,000, $15,000 or $10,000, depending on size, to around 75,000 eligible businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million.
- Licensed Hospitality Business ($251 million): The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund provides grants of up to $30,000 for licensed pubs, clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants and reception centres, based on their venue capacity and location, plus liquor license fees waived until 2021.
- Sole Trader Support Fund ($100 million): The Sole Trader Support Fund provides grants of $3,000 to over 30,000 eligible sole traders in sectors such as retail, accommodation and food services, creative and media, hairdressing, gyms, events, education and training who operate from a commercial premises or location as a tenant.
- Alpine businesses ($4.3 million): Grants of up to $20,000 to help alpine businesses pay a service charge to Alpine Resort Management Boards.
- Business Chambers and Trader Groups ($5 million): Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups is a competitive grants program to support local business groups and chambers of commerce in helping their members adapt to COVID Normal.
Business Costs Assistance Program
The program provides $2,500 grants for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in sectors most impacted. This includes businesses operating in an industry that cannot operate under the circuit breaker restrictions and which cannot work remotely.
The program will open for applications on Wednesday 2 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.
Register your interest
To be alerted when the Business Costs Assistance Program is open for applications please register for the Business Victoria Update newsletter. You will receive an email this week.
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
The $40.7 million Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program provides businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3,500 grant per premises.
The program will open for applications on Wednesday 2 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.
Register your interest
To be alerted when the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 is open for applications please register for the Business Victoria Update newsletter. You will receive an email this week.
Victorian Events Support Package
The $20 million package dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions.
