This is the sixth allotment of business support made available and will provide payments to more than 110,000 eligible metropolitan businesses, including sole traders, in industries ranging from hospitality to non-essential retail, accommodation, events businesses, hairdressing and beauty services. 

The Victorian Chamber is proud to again see our strong advocacy efforts and recommendations to Government reflected in this latest package. The allocation includes:  

• A further $72 million for the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund available to small and medium-sized businesses across the state, with grants increasing from $10,000 to $14,000 and available to small and medium-sized businesses across the state. 
• Automatic payments of $5,600 ($2,800 per week) for more than 110,000 businesses in Metropolitan Melbourne through a $625 million boost to the Business Costs Assistance Program.  
• Automatic weekly payments of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 for around 7,000 licensed hospitality premises in Melbourne that have previously received grants under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 or July Extension programs. A further $110 million has been allocated to the new licensed hospitality venue initiative. Payment amounts will be made according to venue capacity. 

Eligible workers across the state who lose hours of work due to the lockdown will also have access to the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as will sole-trader business owners who lose work and that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs.  

The Victorian Chamber encourages members to apply for all the assistance they are entitled to and we will provide further information on how to do so at victorianchamber.com.au. 
 
To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra:  

“Once again our State and Federal leaders have stepped up and banded together to provide crucial support to keep as many Victorian businesses as possible afloat over what is going to be another tough and uncertain couple of weeks. 
 
“Today marks 200 days that Victorian businesses have not been able to trade and generate revenue. With lockdowns to continue over the coming weeks, the harsh reality is that there will be more business closures and jobs lost, no matter the financial support on offer. 
 
“Businesses would not choose to rely on government support to get by and are committed to being able to open and trade as soon as possible. For the next two weeks all Victorians must lock in, get vaccinated and start preparing to come out firing once Lockdown Six ends.”