To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and improve ventilation in areas accessed by customers, the Victorian Government is providing support to public facing small businesses through the Small Business Ventilation Program.

Eligible businesses can now apply for funding to invest in equipment, works or engage professional services to improve ventilation in areas of the workplace that are accessible to customers.

Under the program, two types of support are available:

1. Ventilation Rebate
   
   A $500 rebate for public facing small businesses to take immediate actions such as purchasing equipment or hiring a qualified tradesperson to undertake minor services to improve ventilation in areas accessible to customers.
   
   
2. Ventilation Grant
   
   Matched grants from $1000 to $5000 to enable public facing small businesses who employ staff to invest in larger projects to improve ventilation such as building works, engaging professional services or equipment in areas accessible to customers.

Applications are open until 11:59pm Friday 24 June 2022 or when funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.

To apply, head to Small Business Ventilation Program, read the Small Business Ventilation Guide, check out the video on Improving ventilation in your business and follow the steps in the guide to assess your eligibility and find application instructions. For further information call the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15.

Victorians can access the mental health support they need to navigate through the impacts of COVID-19. Key elements of the program include accredited mental health training delivered by St John Ambulance and the Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline - 1300 375 330 - providing free access to one-on-one wellbeing support, business advisers, and financial counsellors.   

These support services are expected to continue until 2022, with demand and future conditions set to guide further services. Additional program information is available via Business Victoria. 

The Victorian Chamber is partnering with the Victorian Government to deliver a Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program to help small businesses navigate the economic challenges due to COVID-19. Eligible business owners can receive up to four two-hour mentoring sessions with an experienced professional who will help them make informed decisions about the future of their business.   

For more information, please visit our dedicated webpage.  

The Jobs Victoria Fund is providing wage subsidies to assist Victorian businesses to employ at least 10,000 people who are looking for work.   

If you are a Victorian employer ready to hire new staff, the Jobs Victoria Fund can financially support you to employ people who have been most affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic.   

More information can be found on the Business Victoria website.   

The Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees Program aims to assist apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment complete their training.   

Employers who have job vacancies for apprentices or trainees can register their interest and will be matched with suitable candidates for you to interview. Employers may also be eligible for Federal Government incentives.   

Apprentices and trainees who have lost their employment are encouraged to register their interest in the program. Once on the register, apprentices and trainees will be assisted by one of our program officers until placed with a host employer through a Group Training Organisation (GTO) or directly with an employer.   

The Victorian Chamber is supporting the delivery of this program which is being managed by the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN).   

To register for this program and for further information, visit AEN’s website or contact the Victorian Chamber’s Apprenticeship Support Australia team.    

The ATO can tailor solutions for owners or directors of businesses struggling due to the Coronavirus, including deferring payments, varying pay as you go instalment amounts and refunding past instalments, withholding enforcement actions including Director Penalty Notices and wind-ups.   

Contact the ATO on 1800 806 218 or visit the ATO website at ato.gov.au for more information.  

Local governments across the state are doing what they can to support businesses and local communities at this time. To find out how your council can help your business, please visit www.viccouncils.asn.au/find-your-council.