An additional $282.5 million has been allocated to expand the existing Business Support programs that were in place for the last lockdown. These include the Business Costs Assistance Program and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund. These payments will be automatic top-ups, meaning that you will not need to re-apply for them.
If you were eligible for, and received payments from, the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund, you will receive an additional $4,200, taking the total payment to $7,200.
If you were eligible for, and received payments from, the Business Costs Assistance Program, you will receive an additional $2,800, increasing the total grant to $4,800.
If your business had chosen not to apply for these support programs in relation to the May/June lockdown, or had been ineligible to apply but are now eligible (ie. you have since registered for GST), you will be able to apply for July lockdown support payments and will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process.
Income Support Payments
In addition to individuals and workers, we are able to confirm that the vast majority of microbusinesses not registered for GST will be eligible for the Covid-19 Disaster Payment of $600/$375 per seven-day period.
The Victorian Government will establish a concierge service to help these businesses access this support in the coming days.
All applications can be made through the Services Australia at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au.
More information about businesses support is available at business.vic.gov.au.