The Victorian government has announced a $500 million Businesses Support Fund to assist small businesses that have been affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep staff employed.
The grant of up to $10,000 is designed to help businesses in key industries hit by the virus:
- Accommodation and Food Services (e.g. cafes, restaurants, caterers, hotels, motels)
- Arts and Entertainment (e.g. cinemas, performing arts venues, creative spaces, performers, museums)
- Health and Beauty Services (e.g. hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists)
- Sport and recreation (e.g. gyms, swimming pools, indoor climbing, play centres)
- Tourism (e.g. tourist transport, tour operators, tour arrangement)
- Retail, other than supermarket, groceries, liquor and pharmacy businesses
- Other Services (e.g. real estate agents)
How can the Victoria Business Support Grant funds be used?
These funds are designed to keep businesses going in this time of crisis as well as improve their marketing and digital presence to be competitive in the digital landscape.
The key areas listed by the government:
- Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent
- Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning
- Developing the business through marketing and communications activities
- Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.
Are you eligible for the Victoria Business Sport Grant during coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- Have been subject to closure or highly impacted by Restricted Activity Directions issued by the Deputy Chief Health Officer to-date External link (opens in same window); and
- Employ people; and
- Have a turnover of more than $75,000; and
- Have payroll of less than $650,000; and
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and held that ABN at 16 March 2020 (when the State of Emergency External link (opens in same window)was declared); and
- Have been engaged in carrying out the operation of the business in the Australian State of Victoria on 16 March 2020.
Eligibility and Compliance Information Required
- Applicants must certify in writing that they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Applicants will be subject to audit by the Victorian Government or its representatives and will be required to produce evidence, such as payroll reports to demonstrate impact, at the request of the Victorian Government for a period of four years after the grant has been approved.
- If any information in the application is found to be false or misleading, or grants are not applied for the purposes stated in the terms of funding and application, the grant will be repayable on demand.
How to Apply For the Victorian Government’s Business Support Fund
More information on how to apply for the Victorian Government’s Business Support Fund Grant can be found here – click here
*Key information from this article was copied from the Victoria Business Support Fund page which can be found here
