This is the fifth allotment of business support made available and will provide payments to almost 100,000 eligible metropolitan businesses, including sole traders. The new allocation contains three main elements, including: 

• A further $41 million added to the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, with grants of $10,000 available to small and medium businesses across the state. 
• A further $271 million for the Business Costs Assistance Program which will see more than 95,000 businesses in Metropolitan Victoria automatically receive payments of $2,800, with grants scheduled to be paid within seven business days. 
• Automatic payments of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 for more than 7,000 licensed hospitality venues across metropolitan areas that have previously received or been approved for grants under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund program. Payment amounts will be tiered according to premises capacity: $5,000 for a capacity of up to 99 patrons, $10,000 for a capacity of 100 to 499 patrons and $20,000 for a capacity of 500-plus. 

The State and Federal Governments have also reached an agreement to extend the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment for metropolitan workers and eligible businesses affected by the lockdown extension. 

The Victorian Chamber encourages businesses to apply for all the assistance they are entitled to and we will provide further information on how to do this at victorianchamber.com.au.

To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra:  

“Seeing our political leaders come together for a third time in a matter of weeks to provide crucial support will help businesses and workers to get through this difficult period. Many venues will welcome the decrease of the capacity cap from 200 to 100 for hospitality businesses to qualify for the $10,000 payment.

“Victorian businesses have endured almost 200 days of not being able to trade and generate revenue. While this support is appreciated and crucial, these packages serve as a band-aid to keep business afloat - but the longer a lockdown goes on more debt is accrued and fewer businesses remain with the reserves to try to open again. 

“Financial support is vital – but we can’t keep shutting down businesses and we can’t continue to stop-start our lives. Our greatest chance of victory in the fight against COVID-19 and the lockdowns and hardships that come with it, is the vaccine. The medical fraternity tell us it’s safe to get the jab, so let’s roll up our sleeves. It is the path out of lockdowns.” 

Media contacts: Ellana Katos, 0400 976 889 & Mikkayla Mossop, 0423 883 945 
Email: media@victorianchamber.com.au