Victorian Business Support Fund-Expansion

About the initiative

The Victorian Government has announced that Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ will be in reinstated across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 11:59 on 8 July 2020 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. These restrictions will be in place for six weeks and will then be reviewed by the Chief Health Officer.

The return to Stay at Home restrictions mean that businesses within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, live music, entertainment venues and other businesses are either restricted in their operations or can no longer operate.

Businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that are affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant under the Business Support Fund - Expansion program.

Applications for the program close on 19 August 2020.

This program is in addition to the first round of the Business Support Fund, which closed on 1 June 2020.

1. What support is available?

Businesses operating within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant.

2. Who is affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions?

Stay at Home restrictions are in place across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. For more information visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

3. What type of business can apply for this grant?

Businesses can apply where they meet all the criteria listed below. They must:

operate a business located in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire

be a participant in the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper Payment scheme

employ people

be registered with WorkSafe on 30 June 2020

have an annual payroll of less than $3 million in 2019-20 on an ungrouped basis

be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) as at 30 June 2020

hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at 30 June 2020

be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator.

Businesses that have received funding from other components of the Victorian Government’s Economic Survival Package are eligible to apply for this program.

Business owners that do not employ people (non-employing businesses) are not eligible for funding through this program.

4. How can the funding be used?

Grant funds, for example, may be used to assist the business with:

  • meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries or rent

  • seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning

  • developing the business through marketing and communications activities

  • any other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

5. Important application information

Eligible businesses are invited to apply for a one-off grant of $5,000. A business, as defined by its ABN, can only receive one grant under this Fund.

As part of the assessment process, evidence provided by applicants may be subject to a check with other government agencies including the State Revenue Office, Worksafe and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

Circumstances that may be taken into consideration in any decision whether to award a grant include:

  • any adverse findings by a regulator regarding a business

  • if a business is placed under external administration

  • if there is a petition to wind up or deregister a company or business

  • if the business is, or becomes, deregistered or unregistered (including cancellation or lapse in registration).

Applicants must ensure that their Australian Business Number (ABN) registration information and registration with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission is up-to-date and current as at the time of application.

Applicants are required to apply online via the Business Victoria website. All questions in the application need to be completed to ensure timely assessment.

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will endeavour to notify all applicants on the outcome of their submitted application within ten business days.

6. What evidence do businesses need to provide to prove eligibility and compliance?

Applicants must certify that they meet the eligibility criteria and must provide evidence of the address of their eligible business operation through their most recent:

  • utility bill (gas, electricity, telecommunications, water);

  • lease agreement; or

  • council rate notice.

See the Example of acceptable proof of eligibility documents (PDF 2842.06 KB)

Applicants must also provide evidence of their participation in the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper Payment scheme. The evidence required will be the most recent JobKeeper business monthly declaration or for new entrants their JobKeeper enrolment form. These documents must be a PDF file generated from the Australian Taxation Office Business Portal.

Jobkeeper example documents

JobKeeper business monthly declaration example (PDF 879.4 KB)
JobKeeper enrolment form example (PDF 1875.95 KB)

Applicants are subject to a risk assessment which verifies business details provided with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner (ACNC), Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) and/or other applicable regulators.

Applicants will be subject to an 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 of the business in accordance with the terms of funding as set out in these guidelines and attached application, the grant will be repayable to the Victorian Government on demand.

7. Fine print

  • Sole traders must employ persons other than themselves to be eligible.

  • The applicant must be able to provide a ‘WorkCover employer number’.

  • Relevant regulators are the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC); the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC); Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV); and in the case of sole traders ABN registration will suffice (sole traders who use a business name other than their own personal name must have that business name registered with ASIC).

8. How to apply

Applicants must submit an application online via the 'Apply now' button on this page.

All questions in the application must be completed and any requested documentation attached to ensure timely assessment and grant payment.

If you have further questions please refer to the Business Support Fund - Expansion FAQs.

If you require further assistance please contact us.

Jenni Anderson