Whitehorse Recovery Grants Package: Business
The Whitehorse Business Grants Program provides support to the local Small to Medium Enterprises.
Three funding streams were available in the first round, all having an overarching focus on; business adaption, innovation, and resilience.
Applications for Round 3 open Monday 4 October and close Friday 22 October 2021. To keep updated on any future rounds, follow Whitehorse Business on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter.
Victorian Government's Business Support Package
Support for Businesses
The Victorian Government announced cash support for Victorian businesses during the lockdown that was in effect from 11.59pm, 15 July 2021.
An injection of $282.5 million meant that 90,000 Victorian businesses and sole traders shared in up to $484.3 million in support for the 12 days of the public health action (May/June) and automatic top-ups for the lockdown extension were made.
Eligible Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund recipients received $4,200, taking the total payment to $7,200, while Business Costs Assistance Program recipients received $2,800, increasing the total grant to $4,800.
Businesses that had chosen not to apply for these support programs in relation to the May/June lockdown, or had been ineligible to apply but are now eligible, were welcome to apply for July lockdown support payments and will be considered outside of the automatic top-up process. Applications closed on Friday 20 August.
On 6 August 2021, the Victorian Government announced a new package, jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government. This additional package provided automatic payments to almost 100,000 eligible businesses in Victoria, including sole traders. There are five key elements that make up this support package, they are:
- Business Costs Assistance Program, where more than 90,000 business will be automatically paid a Business Costs Assistance Program Round Three grant.
- Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund. Additional payments will be made to more than 8,900 hospitality venues across Victoria that received funding support from the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund through the May/June and July lockdowns. Payments will be automatic and graded by venue capacity.
- Small Business COVID Hardship Fund for small businesses that are not eligible for support under existing programs and have experienced a 70% reduction in turnover. Applications are opened from Thursday 12 August 2021 and closed 10 September 2021.
- COVID-19 Disaster Fund, which is available to eligible workers who lose hours due to lockdown as will businesses that do not qualify for the Victorian Government Support programs because they are not registered for GST. More information is available through Services Australia.
- Alpine Resort Winter Support Program
Additional support for business was announced on 12 August 2021, for businesses most affected by the extension of the lockdown in Melbourne.
A new round of support from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments was announced on Thursday 19 August for small and medium sized businesses most effected by the extension of COVID-19 restrictions. The funding streams will consist of the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, Business Cost Assistance Program, Licensed Hospitality Fund 2021 and the COVID-19 Disaster Payments.
Further support was announced on 4 September 2021 regarding a jointly- funded package from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. This package provided a four-week boost to eligible small to medium sized Victorian businesses who were most impacted by the lockdown. The four week period ended on 30 September 2021.
On 30 September 2021, a jointly-funded package of grants from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments was announced to support small and medium sized businesses through the next six weeks, which at that point it is anticipated that Victoria will reach 80% vaccination.
This $2.27billion funding package will see more than 160,000 businesses receive support, mostly through deposits in their bank accounts. The funding streams include Business Costs Assistance Program Round Five, Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Small Business COVID Hardship Fund.
Further information will be available via Business Victoria's website.
Support for Workers
Announced this morning by the Premier, the Victorian Government has reached agreement with the Commonwealth Government to fund income support payments from day one of the lockdown.
Workers affected by the public health restrictions are now eligible for the same payments afforded by the Commonwealth to New South Wales workers:
- Payments of $600 will be made to Victorians that lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown
- Payments of $375 will be made to individuals that lose between 8-20 hours of work during the period of the lockdown
- There is no liquid assets test applied to receive these payments
The Federal Government will fund payments for those Victorians who work or live in a COVID-19 Hotspot declared by the Commonwealth.
The Victorian Government will fund payments for Victorians who live outside of these hotspot areas but are still subject to the lockdown.
All applications can be made through the Services Australia.
Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund
The Victorian Government's Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund provides grants to eligible landlords who may experience hardship as a result of waiving rent for their tenant between 28 July 2021 and 15 January 2022 under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (CTRS).
Eligible commercial landlords that waive rent for their tenants between 28 July 2021 and 15 January 2022 can apply for grants of up to $6,000. Applications will close on 15 January 2022 or until funds are exhausted. Find out more about the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund.
Whitehorse City Council's Coronavirus Relief and Support Package
Whitehorse City Council has committed to an immediate relief and support package worth $2 million, and work is underway to develop a further recovery and stimulus package worth up to $2.5 million.
This commitment includes providing support to local businesses. Council acknowledges that many business have experienced a severe impact, and that some businesses have been affected since January 2020. Visit Whitehorse City Council's website for more information.
Grant Finder
Grant Finder provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available for local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals.
Business.gov.au (Federal Government)
The Federal Government’s Coronavirus Information and Support for Business web portal includes information about support for sole traders, support available for employers, support available for companies.
In addition, there is information on relief for commercial tenants, supporting apprentices and trainees, increased and accelerated income support, and much more.
State Revenue Office Victoria
The State Revenue Office Victoria has a dedicated page related to Coronavirus relief including Land Tax Relief, Payroll tax waived for eligible businesses and Liquor licence fees waived.
Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office have put together a dedicated section on their website of measures and tailored support during COVID-19 which includes information for Businesses and employers, individuals and employees and tax professionals.
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