Victoria 2021 COVID-19 Update

After a successful lockdown, Victoria is back up and running. However, business support still exists for businesses and owners in need. Here's everything you need to know: 

Government Funding 

On 21 July, the Victorian Government announced an injection of $282.5 million meaning 90,000 businesses and sole traders will now share in up to $484.3 million in support for 12 days of current vital public health action.

This payment provides additional support to eligible small to medium businesses in sectors affected by the current restrictions in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

It is in addition to the 16 July 2021 Top-Up Payments.

The additional payment amount to an eligible business is:

• $2800 for successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or
• $4200 for successful recipients of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

For further information about the 21 July 2021 Top-Up Payment read the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Other Funding 

On 16 July a July 2021 Top-Up Payment was announced. Successful recipients of the Business Cost Assistance Program Round Two and successful recipients of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021, who are impacted by the current restrictions in metropolitan and regional Victoria will receive additional funding.

• Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two – an additional $2,000
• Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 – an additional $3,000. 

On 9 June 2021, the Victorian government announced an additional top-up payment for Round Two of the Business Costs Assistance Program. Eligible Melbourne businesses closed due to extended restrictions can receive a further $2,000, making the total amount available $7,000.

A Tourism Supplement will allow eligible tourism businesses – accommodation, attractions and tourism operators to receive a total grant amount of $7,000 as part of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two.

On 3 June 2021, the Federal Government announced a temporary COVID-19 Disaster Payment scheme to help support any state or territory that has been forced into lockdown. The scheme will commence with Victoria and provide financial assistance to workers who are currently unable to earn an income.

Payment amounts:

• $500 a week for those that ordinarily work 20 hours or more a week
• $325 a week for people working less than 20 hours per week.

Workers need to have used up previous pandemic entitlements and all paid leave with the exception of annual leave. The payment can be claimed from 8 June, 2021. For full details and eligibility refer to COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

On 27 May 2021, the Victorian government announced the $250 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to help support SMEs and sole traders – including restaurants and cafes, event suppliers, accommodation venues and non-essential retailers. A new allocation of up to $209 million has been announced on 2 June with the total support package now $460 million.  

The packages for eligible businesses include:

• Business Costs Assistance Program – grants of $2,500 for regional Victoria and $5,000 for metropolitan Melbourne with an additional $2,000 top-up payment announced 9 June. Applications now open. Apply here. 
• Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 – $3,500 per premises in regional Victoria, $7,000 per premises for metropolitan Melbourne. Applications now open.  Full details available here.  
• Victorian Events Support Package – includes a number of support programs. 

Other Updates

Cleaning, signage, record keeping and other COVID-Safe requirements continue to apply. Remember, it is mandatory for customer-facing businesses that require checking-in to use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service and have a COVIDSafe plan.  

Read more about the COVIDSafe Settings for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria or stay up-to-date with the changes for different industries / sectors from 11:59pm on Thursday 10 June. 

For any questions, please get in contact with Paul, Dylan or Cathy from our Kelly+Partners Melbourne Team at (03) 9629 6744.