The Victorian Government has launched the Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to assist small to medium Victorian businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses, in sectors most impacted by the restrictions announced on Thursday 27 May 2021.
The package has been extended for metropolitan Melbourne and some business sectors in regional Victoria beyond Thursday 3 June 2021.
Click on this tool designed to help businesses identify metropolitan Melbourne postcodes.
Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two
The support package includes $371 million for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two. This program will assist around 76,000 small to medium-sized employing and non-employing businesses in eligible sectors that cannot operate due to the recent restrictions.
Eligible businesses with an annual payroll of up to $10 million can receive a one-off grant of $2500 for businesses that were subject to restrictions between 28 May and 3 June 2021, or $5000 for businesses that were subject to further restrictions after 3 June 2021.
Full details on eligibility and how to apply are set out on the Business Costs Assistance Fund Round Two webpage.
Applications are open from Thursday 3 June 2021 until 11:59pm on Thursday 24 June 2021.
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program
As part of the Victorian Government’s recently announced Business Support Package to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders, the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program is now accepting grant applications from eligible liquor licensees and food certificate holders.
Successful applicants will receive a $3500 grant per business premises in regional Victoria and a $7000 grant per premises in metropolitan Melbourne.
Liquor licensees with an eLicence email address on their Liquor Portal account will receive an email from Business Victoria with a link to their grant application form.
Liquor licensees without an eLicence email address should set one up by Sunday 20 June 2021 to receive their application form link. Information on how to do this is available on the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation’s Liquor Portal.
Those who receive an application form link have until 11:59pm on Thursday 24 June 2021 to apply.
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must also comply with the eligibility criteria set out in the program guidelines.
Licensed venues are a key part of our state’s economy and identity. The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program will help support these businesses and their workers when they need it most.
Other initiatives under the Circuit Breaker Business Support Package
Events Support Program – $20 million
The Events Support Package helps the event industry, including large event operators and suppliers, event promoters, producers and other businesses that deliver live performance events that have had events and work cancelled due to recent restrictions in Victoria.
Further details on this package will be announced soon.
Small and medium businesses make an enormous contribution to the Victorian economy and the Business Support Package includes support to help businesses through this challenging time. This package builds on more than $6 billion in COVID-19 support provided to businesses by the Victorian Government.
For other forms of support available to you and your business, please visit Business Victoria’s COVID-19 business information webpage. The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program and the Partners in Wellbeing helpline are also available to you.
If you require further information on the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two, please contact Business Victoria or call the hotline on 13 22 15.
Source: A state government statement
