Suite of top-ups announced to support Victorian businesses

This builds on the cash support announced on 16 July 2021 – providing automatic payments through recipients of the Licenced Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Assistance Program.

As announced today, eligible Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund recipients will receive $4,200, taking the total payment to $7,200. Business Costs Assistance Program recipients will receive $2,800, increasing the total grant to $4,800.

Businesses that weren’t accessing the support programs in relation to the May/June lockdown, or had been ineligible to apply in the past but are now eligible, can now apply for July lockdown support payments and will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process.

Microbusinesses eligible for Disaster Payments

Many microbusinesses not registered for GST will be eligible for the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment. This was recently increased in response to the protracted nature of the NSW lockdown and the new rates are below:

• Payments of $600 will be made to Victorians that lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown
• Payments of $375 will be made to individuals that lose between 8-20 hours of work during the period of the lockdown
• There is no liquid assets test applied to receive these payments

The Victorian Government will establish a concierge service to help these businesses access this support.

To confirm, the Federal Government will fund payments for Victorians who work or live in a COVID-19 Hotspot declared by the Commonwealth – including Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe and the Surf Coast Shire. The Victorian Government will fund payments for Victorians who live outside of these areas but are still subject to the lockdown.

Support for alpine hospitality, retail, accommodation and experience operators

Businesses that were eligible for grants of up to $15,000 will receive an extra $3,000 through a fresh $1.2 million injection, on top of any entitlements under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund or Business Costs Assistance Program.

Impacted Public Events Support Program extended

Eligible public events and public events suppliers affected by the lockdown will receive support of up to $25,000 and $10,000 respectively through an extension of the Impacted Public Events Support Program.

Live Performance Support programs

A new round of the Live Performance Support programs, with funding of up to $7,000 for presenters and up to $2,000 for suppliers, has also been confirmed.

Sporting Clubs Grants Program

A new round of the Sporting Clubs Grants Program will provide $2,000 grants for community sport and active recreation organisations for events that have been unable to proceed or will have to be cancelled or postponed.