New Covid-19 Support Measures for Victoria

Covid 19 Disaster relief payments

Victorians who have lost hours of work due to the restrictions are entitled to the Federal Government’s Covid 19 disaster relief payments as below:

• Individuals who have lost less than 20 hours per week are eligible for $300 per week
• Individuals who have lost more than 20 hours per week are eligible for $600 per week

More information can be found here regarding how to claim and eligibility.

There are a number of additional individual financial assistance programs available

Find more information about these click here.

Commercial Tenancy Relief

From 28th July, Landlords will be required to provide proportional rent relief in line with a business’s reduction in turnover. For example, a business with a turnover of 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels can only be charged 40 per cent of its rent. Of the balance, at least half must be waived, with the remainder to be deferred.

Legislation will shortly be introduced to enact the Scheme and rent relief can start immediately.

The Victorian government will create an $80 million hardship fund for landlords who provide rent relief to eligible tenants, with further details to be confirmed in due course.

Please find more information here.

Live Performance Support Program – Presenters

This program provides relief for presenters who were affected by cancellations and postponements due to the May/June 2021circuit breaker actions. Eligible businesses may receive up to $7,000 as grant.

Please find more information here.

Live Performance Support Program – Suppliers

This program was introduced to provide relief for suppliers who were affected by cancellations and postponements of live performances due to the May/June 2021circuit breaker actions. Eligible businesses may receive $500 per event capped at $2,000 as a grant.

Please find more information here.

Victoria has announced a number of top-up payments which will be made in addition to the 16th July top-up payments. These are automatic payments to all successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

The 16th July top-up payments were -

• $2000 for successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two; or
• $3000 for successful recipients of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021.

The 21st July top-up payments are -

• Successful recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two will receive an additional $2800,
• Successful recipients of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 will receive an additional $4200

The above payments will be processed automatically in July 2021.

The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two will re-open for applications by the end of July. This provides an opportunity for businesses that did not apply for the Business Costs Assistance Program in June an opportunity to apply for the Top-Up Payments.

Similarly, businesses with eligible liquor licenses but did not apply for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will also be provided with an opportunity to apply for Top-Up Payments.

That means new businesses, and businesses that were not eligible in June may now be eligible will be able to apply.

Useful links

Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund

Date published 29 Jul 2021 | Last updated 29 Jul 2021