The State Government has announced cash grants for businesses impacted by the current lockdown.
Automatic payments will be made to eligible businesses and sole traders across the state to minimise delays and swiftly get money into the pockets of businesses who need it most.
Up to 90,000 businesses that have and will receive payments through the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Costs Assistance Program relating to the May-June lockdown will receive the Victorian Government’s new support payments of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Eligible businesses will include restaurants, cafes bars, event suppliers, tourism and accommodation providers and non-essential retailers.
Payments are due to commence over the course of next week – with total funding of $201.8 million.
The State Government has also reached an agreement with its Federal counterpart to fund income support payments from day one of the lockdown.
Workers affected by the public health restrictions are now eligible for the same payments afforded by the Commonwealth to New South Wales workers:
• Payments of $600 will be made to Victorians that lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown
• Payments of $375 will be made to individuals that lose between 8-20 hours of work during the period of the lockdown
• There is no liquid assets test applied to receive these payments.
The Federal Government will fund payments for those Victorians who work or live in a Covid-19 Hotspot declared by the Commonwealth – that includes Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe and the Surf Coast Shire.
The Victorian Government will fund payments for Victorians who live outside of these areas but are still subject to the lockdown.
All applications can be made through the Services Australia at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
“People start needing support from day one – hour one – of a lockdown,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“We know this is tough on Victorian businesses and we’re standing with them, just as we’ve done from the very start of the pandemic.”
So far during the pandemic, direct economic support for businesses provided by the Victorian Government has reached $6 billion.
The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is still working with 22,000 applicants to the Business Costs Assistance Program to finalise those applications where information has been missing or further detail has been requested to confirm eligibility.
It is expected thousands of these applicants will be successful and paid by the end of next week.
More information about businesses support is available at business.vic.gov.au
