Program overview
This program provides grants of $5,000 to help eligible visitor economy small businesses who experienced a decline in revenue due to the 26 August 2025 security incident. To be eligible you must:
- have experienced a 40% decline in ordinary revenue across a single month period between 26 August and 30 September 2025 (e.g. 1 – 30 September) as a result of the 26 August 2025 security incident in Porepunkah, and that decline represents at least 40 per cent of ordinary revenue of the same time period in 2024.
- demonstrate that the decline in revenue is at least $10,000
To demonstrate the above, the applicant is required to obtain a letter from a Qualified Agent (e.g. a qualified accountant, registered tax agent, registered Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent) to support their application and verify their decline in revenue.
Businesses which received a $5,000 grant under the 2025 Porepunkah Business Support Grant Program are not eligible to apply for this program.
This program helps small businesses to:
- have increased capability and capacity to recover, manage operations and meet essential costs
- improve resilience.
Applications close at 6 November 2025 at 4:00 pm or earlier if funding allocation is exhausted sooner.
Check the program guidelines for the full eligibility criteria.
Program guidelines
Eligibility criteria
Complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker.
If your business is potentially eligible for the program, you will receive an email inviting you to submit an application.
To be eligible for the grant, you must:
- be an employing business with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees
- be currently registered with WorkSafe Victoria
- hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) on and continuously from 26 August 2024
- be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and continuously from 26 August 2025
- be a visitor economy employing small business registered under and operating in an eligible industry sector identified in the List of Eligible ANZSIC classes on and continuously from 26 August 2024
- be located in the Alpine Shire local government area on and continuously from 26 August 2025
- have experienced a 40% decline in revenue of at least $10,000 across a single month period between 26 August and 30 September 2025, as a result of the 26 August 2025 security incident when compared to the same time period in 2024
- have been operational for a minimum of 12 months before 26 August 2025 and be intending to continue operating the small business in the Alpine Shire
- not be insolvent or bankrupt.
Additionally:
- Not-for-profit businesses must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) or a similar State/Territory regulatory body.
In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet all the eligibility criteria may still be considered. Check the program guidelines for details.
Eligible local government areas
Businesses located in the Alpine Shire local government area are eligible. You can check your local government area by visiting know your council.
Grant amount
Eligible businesses will receive a one-off payment of $5,000.
You can use the grant for:
- essential business costs such as utilities, rates, stock replacement, wages and rent
- seeking financial advice to help with business recovery
- adjusting the business to be viable in the changed local context following the security incident
- expanding the business through targeted marketing and communications
- making your business more resilient to future disruptions.
Applicants must be able to provide evidence of how grant funds were used. Grant expenditures may be audited and businesses are requested to retain evidence of expenditure.
How to apply
Please read all the information on this page, including the program guidelines and the frequently asked questions (FAQs) before applying.
- You must use the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker. If your business is potentially eligible for the program, you will be emailed a unique grant application link.
- To avoid potentially unnecessary costs, it is recommended that you complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker before you engage a qualified agent.
Note: Key business information shared through the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker will be populated within your application. - Once you submit your application, the department will keep you updated on its progress. You can check your application status on the Business Victoria Grants Portal. If you are unable to access the Business Victoria Grants Portal, please contact us on 13 22 15.
- You will receive an email notification about the outcome of your application.
- Complete applications with the necessary supporting evidence will be assessed as promptly as possible.
Applications for this program will close at 6 November 2025 at 4:00 pm or earlier if funding allocation is exhausted sooner.
What you need for the grant application form
To apply you will need to provide:
- proof of identity
- a letter from a Qualified Agent
Proof of Identity
You can use one of the following forms of identification:
- Victorian driver licence or learner permit
- Australian passport
- Medicare card
- Foreign passport for those issued with an Australian Visa
Letter from a Qualified Agent
A Qualified Agent (e.g. qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent) must sign a ‘Letter from the Qualified Agent’, which confirms:
- the revenue decline satisfies the $10,000 revenue reduction requirement, and that decline for the impacted period represents at least 40 per cent of ordinary revenue (measured against the benchmark period).
- they have seen evidence that can be provided to demonstrate the revenue decline.
- the applicant has informed the Qualified Agent that the financial information provided is consistent with ordinary revenue calculations; and
- that the business has fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees.
The letter must be in the format provided at the application stage and be submitted as part of the application.
It is recommended that you complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker before you engage a qualified agent to avoid any potentially unnecessary costs.
If you need any assistance completing your application, please contact Business Victoria during operating hours. We are available via phone, email and live chat.
If you require a translator, please call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 and let our operator know. They will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.
If you are having trouble uploading your identification or need help, please refer to the proof of identity verification user guide.
Audit
Your applications and grant expenditure may be audited by the department, the Victorian Government, its representatives or agents, or the relevant Auditor-General for up to four years from the program open date.
Audits may take place before or after funding is provided, to check:
- your eligibility
- the accuracy of information provided in your application
- if you spent the grant according to the program guidelines
Record Keeping
Keep all records of your eligibility for the grant and, if a grant is received, how the funds were spent, for the entire audit period and provide it on request to the department.
If asked by the department, you may need to repay any unspent funds or funds not used according to the guidelines.