UPDATED: Victorian Circuit Breaker Business Support Package

Building on the Circuit Breaker Business Support Package announced on Sunday 30 May 2021, the Victorian Government announced yesterday (2 June 2021) the various grant payments will be increased to help businesses and sole traders who are now entering a second week of lockdown restrictions.

This new support package should assist small to medium businesses and sole traders impacted by the circuit breaker restrictions (enacted on 28 May 2021 and currently extended to 10 June 2021), to support those businesses unable to operate due to these necessary public health measures, including targeted support for the events industry.

There are three initiatives available for eligible businesses as part of this latest Victorian Circuit Breaker Business Support Package.

1) Business Costs Assistance Program (Round Two)

UPDATE: 3 June 2021

The Business Costs Assistance Program (Round Two) grants for eligible businesses located in metropolitan Melbourne will be doubled from $2,500 to $5,000.

Regional businesses unable to open due to the ongoing restrictions, such as nightclubs and amusement parks, will also be eligible for the extended $5,000 payment.

Metropolitan businesses that will have restrictions eased from Friday 3 June 2021 will not be eligible for the extended payment and should receive the original $2,500 grant payment only.

The program will open for applications on Thursday 3 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.

This second round of the Business Costs Assistance Program provides grants for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in sectors most impacted. This includes businesses operating in an industry that cannot operate under the circuit breaker restrictions and which cannot work remotely.

This program should help eligible businesses with costs incurred as a result of the circuit breaker action. For example, businesses may have incurred costs through loss of perishable food or produce and cancelled bookings.

More information in relation to the eligibility requirements will be available on the Victorian Business website shortly (click here).

To be alerted when the Business Costs Assistance Program is open for applications, please register for the Business Victoria Update newsletter (click here).

2) Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

UPDATE: 3 June 2021

The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 grants for businesses in metropolitan Melbourne with eligible liquor licences and food certificates will be doubled from $3,500 to $7,000.

The program will open for applications on Thursday 3 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.

Eligible liquor licensees under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payment will be emailed directly by Business Victoria tomorrow, Thursday 3 June 2021, with a link to their grant application form.

The $40.7 million Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program provides businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with one grant per premises.

More information in relation to the eligibility requirements will be available on the Victorian Business website shortly (click here).

To be alerted when the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 is open for applications, please register for the Business Victoria Update newsletter (click here).

3) Victorian Events Support Package

As at 3 June 2021, there have been no updated details released in relation to this support package.

The $20 million package dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions.

More information in relation to the eligibility requirements will be available on the Victorian Business website shortly (click here).

To be alerted when the Victorian Events Support Package is open for applications, please register for the Business Victoria Update newsletter (click here).

Please do not hesitate to contact your Lowe Lippmann Relationship Partner if you wish to discuss any of these matters further.

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