The Victorian Government announced further support to eligible small to medium sized businesses in sectors affected by the current restrictions in place across Victoria.The Victorian Government announced further support to eligible small to medium sized businesses in sectors affected by the current restrictions in place across Victoria.

On Wednesday 21 July 2021, it was announced another top-up payment in addition to the 16 July 2021 Top-Up payments, for successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

Recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two will receive additional support payments of $2,000 and $2,800 ($4,800 in total). Whilst recipients eligible under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will receive additional support payments of $3,000 and $4,200 ($7,200 in total). These payments will be processed automatically in July 2021.

The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 programs closed for applications on 24 June 2021. However, the Victorian Government has confirmed that the programs will re-open for applications by the end of July 2021. This will provide an opportunity for businesses that did not apply for the programs in June 2021, an opportunity to apply and access the July Top-Up Payments.

Announced on 28 July 2021, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments will fund extra support packages for Victorian small and medium businesses.NEW SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Announced on 28 July 2021, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments will fund extra support packages for Victorian small and medium businesses.

Business Continuity Fund

$5,000 grants will be available for businesses that remain impacted by capacity limits, with an additional $2,000 grant available to eligible businesses located in the CBD.

Eligibility:

  • Twenty-four eligible sectors are covered by the fund for businesses including gyms, cafes, restaurants, event businesses, catering services and hairdressers; and
  • Businesses must have received or be eligible for the Business Cost Assistance Program Round Two.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

Grants of up to $20,000 will be available for licensed venues, with an additional $2,000 grant available to eligible businesses located in the CBD.

Eligibility:

  • Venues will need to have received or been eligible for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

Small Business COVID Hardship Fund

Grants of up to $5,000 will be available to support small businesses who have not been eligible under existing business support funds.

Eligibility:

  • Small businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million; and
  • Have experienced a 70 per cent or greater reduction in revenue.

Alpine Business Support Program

Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 will be available for 430 Alpine based businesses in recognition of restricted inter and intra-state travel during the peak winter season.

As Victoria looks to ease lockdown restrictions, the state government has announced a number of small business COVID-19 support grants. Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme

This scheme has been reintroduced to provide rent relief for eligible businesses, while a separate support fund has been announced for landlords who provide rent relief to eligible tenants.

Eligibility:

  • Businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million; and
  • Have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 30 percent.

Landlords will be required to provide proportional rent relief in line with a business’s reduction in turnover. For example, a business with a turnover of 40 percent of pre-pandemic levels can only be charged 40 percent of its rent. Of the balance, at least half must be waived, with the remainder to be deferred.

A mediation service for tenants and landlords will be available however, tenants and landlords will be encouraged to enter negotiations directly.

Further details in relation to the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme can be found here >

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

The Commonwealth Government has a support payment available for workers adversely affected by a state health order.

Victorian eligibility rules:

  • You live in, work from or have visited a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot that is subject to a state restricted movement order or you live in or work from other areas of Victoria; and
  • You were unable to earn your usual income of 8 hours or more or a full day’s work because you were in the COVID-19 hotspot and are subject to restricted movement or you live or work from other areas of Victoria.

Further details of the eligibility criteria for Victoria can be found here >

Entitlement:

Eligible recipients of the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be entitled to:

  • $600 per week, for people who have lost 20 hours or more of paid employment per week; or
  • $375 per week, for people who have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours per week of paid employment, or a full day of your usual work hours.

How to claim:

If you’re an Australian resident seeking to access the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, you must complete your claim online. To do so, you will need a myGov account linked to a Centrelink online account.

Eligible working visa holders must call the emergency information line (180 22 66) to claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

Further details on the claim process can be found here > 

For further information about Small business COVID-19 support grants for Victorians

If you require further information, please contact your local RSM adviser to find out more in relation to these measures.

This article was updated on 2/08/2021