Program overview

The $20 million dedicated Victorian Events Support Package supported event organisers, hosts and suppliers as they manage the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of the pandemic, the Victorian Government has provided more than $10 billion in direct financial support for businesses, including $3.1 billion in cash grants to more than 130,000 businesses since the May/June restrictions period.

These programs have now closed:

  • Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two delivered grants of $25,000 to organisers of Tier 1 and Tier 2 events under the Public Events Framework that were approved or registered to take place between 11:59pm on 24 June 2021 and 11:59pm on 23 September 2021.
  • Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two provided either $7000 or $5000 for one event (depending on losses or unrecoverable costs), and a further $5000 for a second event to presenters of live performance events cancelled between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 2 September 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two provided either $200 or $500 per event (depending on the level of loss or unrecoverable costs incurred) to suppliers of goods and services to live performance events, including musicians and performers, cancelled events between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 2 September 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions. Support was available for up to 20 events through Round One and Round Two of the program.
  • The Sustainable Event Business Program provided up to $250,000 to major event organisers, hosts and suppliers who have suffered a loss as a result of the recent restrictions that began in late May, and the ongoing viability of their event or business has been significantly affected by the pandemic.
  • The Impacted Public Events Support Program delivered up to $25,000 to eligible event organisers and up to $10,000 to eligible suppliers of Tier 1 and Tier 2 public events under the Public Events Framework that were approved to take place between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 24 June 2021.
  • An Independent Cinema Support Program delivered up to $12,000 to independent cinema operators unable to operate due to the COVID-19 restrictions that commenced at 11:59pm on 27 May 2021.
  • A Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) provided up to $7000 to presenters of live performance events that cancelled events between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 24 June 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
  • A Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) provided a $500 grant per event for up to four different events for suppliers of goods and services to live performance events, including musicians and performers.

Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two

The Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two delivered grants of $25,000 to organisers of Tier 1 and Tier 2 events under the Public Events Framework that were approved or registered to take place between 11:59pm on 24 June 2021 and 11:59pm on 23 September 2021.

Suppliers to Tier 1 and Tier 2 were eligible for a $10,000 grant under this program.

Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two Guidelines (PDF 288.23 KB) PDF icon

Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two Guidelines (DOCX 1572.26 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Learn more at Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two.

The program is now closed.

Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two

The Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two provided grants to eligible businesses affected by the cancellation or postponement of events as a result of lockdowns and public health restrictions between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 2 September 2021.

This program was open to live performance event presenters defined as a person or organisation with the right to hold, cancel or re-schedule an event, collect the proceeds from ticket sales or re-locate a given live performance event. For any given event, this could be the producer, promoter, venue owner or artist promoting their own show.

Applicants were able to apply for either $7000 or $5000 for one event, depending on losses or unrecoverable costs, and a further $5000 for a second event. There was a cap of $12,000 per applicant across the two rounds of the program.

The program was open for application from Wednesday, 18 August 2021 and closed at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 8 September 2021. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application 15 business days after the program closes on Wednesday 29 September 2021.

Live Performance Support Program Presenters Round Two Guidelines (PDF 320.17 KB) PDF icon

Live Performance Support Program Presenters Round Two Guidelines (DOCX 1581.59 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Learn more at Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two.

The program is now closed.

Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two

The Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two provided grants to eligible contracted suppliers affected by the cancellation or postponement of events as a result of lockdowns and public health restrictions between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59 on 2 September 2021.

Suppliers included those contracted to provide goods or services to a live performance event including performers, crew, technicians, venue owners and engineers.

Applicants were able to apply for either $200 or $500 per event, depending on the level of loss or unrecoverable costs incurred. Support was available for up to 20 events through Round One and Round Two of the program. There was a cap of $4000 in total support per applicant across the two rounds of the program.

The program was open for application from Wednesday, 18 August 2021 and closed at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 8 September 2021. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application 15 business days after the program closes on Wednesday 29 September 2021.

Live Performance Support Program Suppliers Round Two Guidelines (PDF 335.53 KB) PDF icon

Live Performance Support Program Suppliers Round Two Guidelines (DOCX 1566.14 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Learn more at Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two.

The program is now closed.

Sustainable Event Business Program

The Sustainable Event Business Program provided grants of up to $250,000 to major event organisers, hosts and suppliers who have had the ongoing viability of their event or business significantly affected as a result of the restrictions that began in late May.

Successful applicants must have most of their operations in Victoria and be of strategic significance to the state’s events sector.

Applicants must have experienced a minimum 50% or more decline in annual turnover in the three months prior to 27 May 2021 compared with the same period in 2019. They will also have had an annual payroll of more than $1.5 million in metropolitan Melbourne or $500,000 in regional Victoria in 2019/20.

Sustainable Event Business Program Guidelines (PDF 308.01 KB) PDF icon

Sustainable Event Business Program Guidelines (DOCX 1578.79 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Sustainable Event Business Program frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Learn more at Sustainable Event Business Program.

The program is now closed.

Impacted Public Events Support Program

The Impacted Public Events Support Program delivered grants of $25,000 to organisers of Tier 1 and Tier 2 events under the Public Events Framework, which have been postponed or cancelled following restrictions announced on Thursday 27 May 2021. Suppliers to Tier 1 and Tier 2 events may be eligible for a $10,000 grant under this program.

Impacted Public Events Support Program Guidelines (PDF 292.51 KB) PDF icon

Impacted Public Events Support Program Guidelines (DOCX 1564.41 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Impacted Public Events Support Program frequently asked questions (FAQs).

The program is closed. Impacted Public Events Support Program Round Two is now open for applications.

Independent Cinema Support Program

Victoria’s cinemas benefited from the Independent Cinema Support Program, which supported independent cinemas unable to operate with a payment of up to $12,000 per cinema venue.

Independent Cinema Support Program Guidelines (PDF 311.83 KB) PDF icon

Independent Cinema Support Program Guidelines (DOCX 1553.68 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Independent Cinema Support Program frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Learn more at Independent Cinema Support Program.

The program is now closed.

Live Performance Support Program (Presenters)

Live performance event presenters were eligible for up to $7000 under the Live Performance Support Program. A presenter is a person or organisation with the right to hold, cancel or re-schedule an event, collect the proceeds from ticket sales and/or re-locate a given live performance event/s. This includes producers, promoters, venue owners or artists promoting their own show.

Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Guidelines (PDF 284.34 KB) PDF icon

Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Guidelines (DOCX 1559.86 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) frequently asked questions (FAQs).

The program is now closed.

Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers)

Suppliers of goods and services involved with live performance events, including musicians and performers, were eligible for a grant of $500 per event where the events they were contracted to support could not proceed because of the restrictions. Contracted suppliers include performers, crew, merchandise sellers, technicians and engineers.

Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Guidelines (PDF 308.33 KB) PDF icon

Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Guidelines (DOCX 1555.56 KB) DOCX icon

For more information please read the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) frequently asked questions (FAQs).

The program is now closed.