Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said, “We’re encouraging Victorians to experience the best the state has to offer by going to see a show, having lunch with friends or visiting somewhere new.”

“Business and consumer confidence is critical for our continued economic recovery and that’s why we’re investing in these programs to deliver a boost where it is needed most.”

Dining and travel schemes

The rebate programs targeting hospitality, tourism and creative industries include:

• Melbourne Money: $10 million is allocated to be delivered with the City of Melbourne, enticing diners back to city cafes, bars and restaurants by reimbursing part of their bill
• The scheme will be extended across the state, with a further $30 million providing rebates on food and wine experiences in regional areas and in suburbs beyond Melbourne
• A new entertainment voucher scheme will provide $30 million in rebates for tickets to the theatre, live music, cinemas, museums, galleries, conferences, exhibitions and other events across Victoria
• Victorian Travel Voucher Scheme: A new $30 million round will encourage people to holiday at home and spend on accommodation, attractions and tours.

Business support

The State Government also announced the following programs, aimed at delivering benefits to business:

• Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program: The extension of the Victorian Chamber’s program will offer more coaching to small businesses. So far 3816 businesses have benefited from this program through 11,783 mentoring sessions.
• Ventilation Voucher Program: $60 million is being allocated to help small businesses purchase equipment and upgrades to reduce COVID-19 in the workplace and improve customer confidence – $500 vouchers and rebates of up to $5,000 will be made available
• $34.2 million of Jobs Victoria funding will be used to place workers in more than 1,500 jobs across hospitality, warehousing and logistics, tourism and food processing.
• Small Business Digital Adaptation Program: a further $5 million will be allocated to provide rebates of up to $1,200 so businesses can access a range of digital tools.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra said, “We expect that Victorians will take up these vouchers with haste so we can make March all about supporting business and making the most of the beautiful weather and everything our state has to offer.

“We know that Victorian businesses are ready to roar back and this package will help them to seize the opportunity to do that as they welcome more customers and visitors back.

“The Victorian Chamber is pleased that our engagement with government is reflected in today’s support package, and we look forward to continuing the Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program, which has been a lifeline for 3,816 businesses throughout the pandemic with 11,783 mentoring sessions held.

“Now, we need the State Government to reverse the strong recommendation to work from home and remove the masks on at the desk mandate, so that we get more people back into the office.”

Today’s announcement follows the reopening of Australia’s international borders, offering an additional lifeline for tourism and industry by welcoming all fully vaccinated international tourists, business travellers and other visa holders.