Support Builds For Businesses Through Lockdown
New support will bolster communities and businesses most affected by restrictions to drive down the fast-moving Delta strain – and protect the health and livelihoods of all Victorians.
An injection of $282.5 million means 90,000 Victorian businesses and sole traders will now share in up to $484.3 million in support for the 12 days of the current vital public health action, with automatic top-ups for the lockdown extension to be made in coming days.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said, “We’re making sure the businesses most affected by the lockdown have a chance to emerge from it in decent shape, so they can continue to play their vital role as employers and drivers of Victoria’s economy.”
Eligible Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund recipients will receive $4,200, taking the total payment to $7,200, while Business Costs Assistance Program recipients will receive $2,800, increasing the total grant to $4,800.
Businesses that had chosen not to apply for these support programs in relation to the May/June lockdown, or had been ineligible to apply but are now eligible, will be welcome to apply for July lockdown support payments and will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process.
“Small businesses are central players in every community across Victoria, and we are backing them at every step of this crucial fight,” Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford said.
Discussions with the Commonwealth Government have confirmed that the vast majority of microbusinesses not registered for GST will be eligible for the Covid-19 Disaster Payment of $600/$375 per seven-day period. The Victorian Government will establish a concierge service to help these businesses access this support.
Alpine hospitality, retail, accommodation and experience operators have been hit hard in their high season. 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.
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.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence told us, “Local clubs rely on annual and one-off events to fund their everyday operations, which benefits players, supporters and the wider community. We’re proud to be backing these important organisations in tough times.”
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.
Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson added, “Our live performance sector has been doing it tough, with events being cancelled and gigs lost – that’s why we are providing additional support for those who work on stage and behind the scenes.”
Benefiting regional areas and metropolitan Melbourne, 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.
The Victorian Government has provided almost $7 billion in direct economic support for businesses over the course of the pandemic, including more than $500 million through the May/June restrictions period with $461.2 million allocated for the lead Business Costs Assistance Program and Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund.
Some $180 million has been automatically paid over the past two days to more than 86,000 Victorian businesses eligible for the first five days of the current lockdown.
More information about businesses support is available at business.vic.gov.au.