The Victorian Government has announced the $250 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders, under the circuit breaker restrictions announced on 27 May 2021.
This was followed up on 2 June 2021, where the Victorian Government announced an additional allocation of up to $209 million, taking the total support package to $460 million.
These packages will support businesses unable to operate due to these necessary public health measures, including targeted support for the events industry.
Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two
The program provides $2,500 grants per week for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in sectors most impacted by the circuit breaker lockdown.
This includes businesses operating in an industry that cannot operate under the circuit breaker restrictions and which cannot work remotely.
Businesses will only be required to submit one application for the program and will receive either $2,500 if they are required to close for one week or $5,000 if they are required to close for two weeks.
Business to Register their Interest
Businesses need to register their interest in the Business Costs Assistance Program and will be notified when applications open.
Program commenced as of 3 June 2021
The program will open for applications on Thursday, 3 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.
Business Eligibility
To be eligible, businesses must:
- be located within Victoria
- operate in an eligible sector listed in the list of eligible ANZSIC classes for this program
- have incurred direct costs because of the restrictions and cannot fully operate remotely
- have an annual Victorian payroll of up to $10 million in 2019-20 on an ungrouped basis
- have been registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) at Thursday 27 May 2021
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN on Thursday 27 May 2021
- be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator
Employing businesses must also:
- be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
- attest that the business is supporting its workers to access any paid leave entitlements, or that if a person can work from home, to work from home during the circuit breaker action, and supporting their casual workers, where possible
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
The $68 million Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program provides businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3,500 grant per premises for each week they are impacted by the circuit breaker lockdown.
Businesses will only be required to submit one application for the program and will receive either $3,500 if they are impacted for one week or $7,000 if they are impacted for two weeks.
Businesses eligible for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payment will be emailed directly by Business Victoria with a link to their grant application form. The program will open for applications on Thursday 3 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.
Licensed Hospitality Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must also:
- operate a licensed bar, restaurant, pub, club, hotel, café or reception centre that is registered to serve food and alcohol (Premises) located in Victoria on 27 May 2021
- hold a general or late night (general), full club, restaurant and cafe, producer’s or on-premises or late night (on-premises) liquor licence as of 27 May 2021
- provide a Class 2 or 3 Service Sector Certificate of Registration under the Food Act 1984 that is valid in 2021 for serving food on the same premises
- be registered for goods and services tax (GST) on 27 May 2021
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at 27 May 2021
- be registered with the responsible Commonwealth or Victorian regulator
For employing businesses only, the applicant must attest that the business is supporting its workers to access any paid leave entitlements, or that if a person can work from home, to work from home during the circuit breaker action, and supporting their casual workers, where possible.
Business eligibility in Hospitality must also hold both food certificate and liquor licence for same premises.
Businesses who hold a food certificate but do not hold a liquor licence are not eligible for a grant under this program. Businesses who hold a liquor licence but do not have a food certificate for the same premises are also not eligible for a grant under this program.
Businesses can only receive a grant from either the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021, not both.
If you submit applications to both programs and are found to be eligible under both programs, you will only receive one grant.
You should check your eligibility for both programs before deciding to apply.
If you have received funding through previous business support programs, you may also qualify for this grant if you meet all the eligibility criteria.
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.
Businesses can register their interest in the Victorian Events Support Package and will be notified when applications open.
