Media Release 23rd August 2021
The MDBA welcomes the business support programs and the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment for employees throughout regional Victoria, following Saturdays return to lockdown for another 2 weeks. We understand qualifying business will automatically receive payments of $5,600 (2,800 per week) if they have previously received grants under the Business Costs Assistance Round Two or July Extension programs.
Automatic payments of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 per week will be made to more than 2,000 licensed hospitality premises in regional Victoria that have previously received grants under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 or July Extension programs. A total of $34.5 million has been allocated to this new licensed hospitality venue initiative. 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 patrons or more.
Victoria’s alpine region attracts more than 1 million visitors in a standard year but has been significantly impacted by lockdown restrictions and border closures during the peak winter period. This targeted program will provide payments of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 per week depending on business type and location, with a total of $11.2 million allocated to the program extension.
Eligible workers across Victoria who lose hours of work due to the lockdown will be able to access the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as will individuals who are soletrader business owners who lose work and that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs. The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is administered through Services Australia, with the Federal Government funding the areas declared a Commonwealth hotspot and the Victorian Government assuming responsibility to fund payments in the rest of the state.
The payment is set at $450 for people who have lost from eight to 20 hours work or a full day of work (over seven days), and $750 for 20 hours or more of work lost. People who receive certain Commonwealth income support are eligible to receive a $200 payment where they have lost eight hours or more of work due to the lockdowns.
Victorian micro-businesses and sole trader business owners who wish to apply for the Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment can access the Business Victoria Concierge Service on 13 22 15 and schedule an appointment that will provide them with assistance to make an application.
