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Questions about the program

How much is the grant?

The maximum total funding available is $50,000. A business as defined by its ABN, or a community sport and active recreation organisation, can claim eligible expenses up to $50,000 (excl. GST) under this program.

This includes the $5000 funding received under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program for organisations that were successful under either of these programs.

You can make up to three total claims under the program so long as the total amount you apply for does not exceed $50,000 (excl. GST). You will first need to apply for up to $25,000 (excl. GST) under Tier 1.

Each application or claim must be approved before you can submit another claim.

Details on how to make a second or third claim are made available at the time your successful Tier 1 payment is processed.

What are the eligible local government areas under this program?

See the list of eligible local government areas under the program.

What can the grant be used for?

The grant can help pay for the direct costs of the relief, clean-up and reinstatement of the small business, not-for-profit or community sport and active recreation organisation. Loss of income is not covered by the grant.

The grant cannot cover costs and expenses that have been claimed or are claimable/covered under insurance.

The grant can be used for:

  • engaging a tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises or equipment
  • hiring and leasing equipment, or purchasing materials to clean a property, premises or equipment (purchasing equipment may be considered eligible on a case-by-case basis if demonstrated to be more cost effective)
  • paying additional wages to an existing employee, or employing a person to clean a property, premises or equipment if the cost would only be incurred due to the floods; or if you normally employ someone to clean the property, premises or equipment and the cost to clean is more than usual due to flood damage.
  • removing and disposing of debris, damaged goods and material
  • removing and disposing of spoiled goods and stock due to power outage
  • essential repairs to premises and internal fittings (e.g. floor covering, electrical rewiring, shelving), if the repair is essential for resuming operation of the applicant. If you are not the owner of the facility, asset or premises, you will need written consent from the owner before undertaking any repairs
  • if the repair or replacement is for home-based small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, you can only claim the costs for damage to the premises that are directly attributable to the business, not other household damage
  • purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials essential for you to immediately resume operation, with the replacement cost up to an equivalent value of the damaged property, assets, stock or equipment
  • replacing lost or damaged stock if the replacement is essential for immediately resuming operations
  • leasing temporary premises in the same region or community for the purpose of resuming operations.

Not-for-profit community sport and active recreation organisations can also use grant funding to cover expenses related to the repair or replacement of:

  • play equipment
  • injury prevention and first aid equipment
  • non-participation and maintenance equipment
  • canteen or clubroom items

Questions about eligibility

Who is eligible for the Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grant?

Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants support small businesses, not-for-profit and community sport and active recreation organisations that have suffered direct loss or damage from the 2022 Victorian floods [AGRN1037].

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

  • be located within a local government area deemed eligible for assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement (defined disaster area)
  • hold an active ABN on and from 14 October 2022 (backdated ABN registrations will not be accepted)
  • be registered for GST on and from 14 October 2022 (backdated GST registrations will not be accepted)
  • have suffered direct damage to premises and/or tools of trade (e.g. equipment, plant)
  • be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed
  • intend to re-establish the business or organisation in the same area as the defined disaster area (local government area)
  • provide satisfactory evidence of the loss or damage
  • have been engaged in carrying on their business/functions when affected by the floods.

You are no longer required to have first received funding under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program before applying for a Flood Recovery Grant. These programs closed on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

If you were unsuccessful in applying to either of these programs, you will not be eligible for a Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grant.

If you believe that you were incorrectly assessed, or if you would like to provide further information to support your application, you can submit a complaint to request reassessment within 60 days of an unsuccessful notification.

Additional eligibility criteria apply depending on your type of business or organisation. These are outlined in the program guidelines and on the Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants program page.

My business or organisation was not directly impacted by the floods, but I cannot operate my business as usual. Am I eligible for funding under this program?

No. Funds must be used to cover repair or replacement expenses specifically caused by direct flood damage to a place of business, business assets, stock or equipment. Loss of business activities are not covered under the program.

You may be eligible for emergency support payments through the Commonwealth Government. These include one-off payments and income support. Check the Services Australia website for details and eligibility.

I’m not sure if my business is classified as a small business or not-for-profit. Can I apply?

Only small business or not-for-profit organisations that meet eligibility criteria can apply. Small business and not-for-profit applicants must:

  • be a sole trader or a business employing fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees
  • hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 14 October 2022
  • be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 14 October 2022
  • be a small business located in the defined disaster (local government area) area for the eligible disaster (2022 Victorian floods)
  • have been engaged in carrying on the small business when affected by the eligible disaster (2022 Victorian floods)
  • have suffered direct damage to premises and/or tools of trade (for example, equipment or plant)
  • be intending to re-establish in the same community, region or sector as the defined disaster area (local government area) for the eligible disaster (2022 Victorian floods)
  • be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the applications
  • provide satisfactory evidence of the loss or damage.

The applicant business must be a legal entity registered in Victoria on and from 14 October 2022 and can be any of the following:

  • a company (including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation)
  • a trustee on behalf of a trust (where the trust is the eligible business)
  • sole trader and partnerships
  • a not-for-profit company or incorporated association.

For non-employing businesses (including sole trader with no employees), the business owner must derive at least 50 per cent of their income from the business. Evidence must be provided, see: Evidence and documentation.

Not for profit organisations must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) or an equivalent State/Territory regulatory body and have held that registration at the time of the eligible disaster (2022 Victorian floods).

What types of community sports clubs are eligible?

Community sport and active recreation organisations must:

  • meet the eligibility criteria for the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program
  • deliver a sport or activity that is a person-centric physical activity. This includes active recreation organisations that encourage people to participate in nature-based, outdoor activities (including sporting activities at camps)
  • be non-government and not-for-profit
  • be located in the defined disaster area (local government area) for the eligible disaster (2022 Victorian floods)
  • have been engaged in carrying on their functions when affected by the eligible disaster
  • have suffered direct damage to premises and/or tools of trade (for example, equipment or plant)
  • be intending to re-establish in the same community, region or sector as the defined disaster area (local government area) for the eligible disaster (2022 Victorian floods)
  • be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the applications
  • provide satisfactory evidence of the loss or damage.

The applicant organisation must also be a legal entity operating in and any of the following:

  • incorporated association
  • company limited by guarantee
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

What about community groups that aren’t a business or sporting organisation, for example men’s sheds – can they apply?

Not-for-profit organisations can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria under this program.

I already received a Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant or a Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Grant. I now need less than $5000 additional funding to cover my extra costs – can I apply?

Yes. As part of your application, you must submit a statutory declaration outlining the total costs you are claiming including the:

  • actual or anticipated costs you claimed under your initial $5000 grant
  • additional costs you are claiming under this application.

If successful, we will deduct the $5000 from your overall claim as this has already been paid under your initial flood relief grant, so this should be included in the total amount you wish to claim.

For example, you received $5000 under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant which you spent removing debris and damaged carpets. You now need a further $4000 to cover eligible expenses for an electrical safety inspection and repair (excl. GST). On your application, you would submit expense claims for $9000 (excl. GST) and if successful, you will receive $4000 into your nominated bank account under this program.

I didn't apply for the $5000 grant because it was not worth the time and effort for the lower amount. Can I just apply for the larger grant?

Yes, from 4:01pm Tuesday 7 February 2023 applicants can apply directly for a Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grant without having first successfully applied for the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program. If you were unsuccessful in applying to either of these programs, your application for a Flood Recovery Grant is unlikely to be supported.

If you believe that you were incorrectly assessed, or if you would like to provide further information to support your application, you can submit a complaint to request reassessment within 60 days of an unsuccessful notification.

If you are having difficulty applying, call us on 13 22 15 or register online for support from a Business Relief Adviser.

I am a sole trader and I haven't lodged my 2021-22 tax return so I don't know if at least 50% of my income was from my business in that year. Can I still apply?

Possibly. If you haven't lodged your 2021-22 tax return, you and your qualified agent can use information from the 2020-21 Financial Year. However, you must still derive at least 50 per cent of your income from your business in that financial year.

As part of your application, you must provide a letter from a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent confirming that at least 50 per cent of your income derives from your business. There is a Qualified Agent letter template available to provide this.

One of my organisation’s properties or assets is located within a defined flood affected area, but my organisation’s primary location is not in a defined flood affected area. Can I still apply?

Yes, you may apply if your organisation’s location is registered in Victoria on and from 14 October 2022 and the property, assets, stock or equipment have suffered direct flood damage in a defined flood affected area. For example, your business has its headquarters located in metropolitan Melbourne but you have a shopfront in a regional town affected by floods.

We will verify your organisation’s information with partner agencies, including the Australian Business Register (ABR) to check all locations listed for your business and confirm that the property, assets, stock or equipment that suffered flood damage is located within a local government area deemed eligible for assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement.

We will contact you if we need further evidence to verify the address of the flood impacted property, assets, stock or equipment.

My business' registered address is not in an eligible local government area (LGA), but part of my business, for instance a warehouse, is located within an eligible LGA. Can I apply?

Yes, your business can apply. The business location that incurred the damage can be different to your business’ registered address.

You will still need to provide evidence of any damage incurred by floods to your property, assets, stock or equipment and the location that this occurred.

My place of business has incurred storm damage but not flood damage. Am I eligible to apply for funding under this program?

No. Only businesses that have flood damage to their place of business, business assets, stock or equipment are eligible to apply. Damage caused by storms and other natural events are not covered under the program.

Further information is available, see: Prepare for and manage floods and storms.

My place of business has incurred water damage from roof or ceiling leaks. Am I eligible to apply for funding under this program?

No. Water damage from roof or ceiling leaks is considered storm damage. Only businesses that have flood damage to their place of business, business assets, stock or equipment are eligible to apply. Damage caused by storms and other natural events are not covered under the program.

I need to replace items that were quite old, can I use the funds to upgrade and purchase newer models?

Grant funds can be used to replace property, assets, stock and equipment damaged by the 2022 Victorian floods, if they are beyond repair. The replacement must be of equivalent value and/or like-for-like specifications to those that were destroyed.

I have goods and stock that have been ruined by sewage and flood waters, can I use funds to remove and dispose of these?

Yes, you can use the grant to cover expenses arising from direct damage from 2022 Victorian floods to your property, assets, stock or equipment. This includes damage from power outages or sewage system-wide issues in the defined flood affected area.

If a building or property has suffered flood damage, should the tenant or the landlord apply for the grant?

Where possible the tenant is encouraged to apply to the program. Tenants should obtain any consent where necessary from their landlord before undertaking work.

Where the landlord and tenant are both eligible to apply, they cannot claim for the same item or damage.

Do I need to be registered for GST to be eligible for a grant?

Yes. If you are a business, you must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 14 October 2022 to be eligible for a grant under this program, unless your business is exempt to be registered for GST (please see FAQs below). This requirement does not apply to community sport and active recreation organisations.

I am a business owner and am not registered for GST. If I register now and backdate the registration, can I apply?

No. You must be registered for GST on and from 14 October 2022 to be eligible for this program. This does not apply to community sport and active recreation organisations.

Businesses that backdate their GST registration date will not be eligible. You may be eligible for emergency support payments through the Commonwealth Government.

I am not required to be registered for GST because my annual turnover is not over $75,000. Can I apply?

You must be registered for GST on and from Friday 14 October 2022 and meet all the other eligibility criteria to receive a grant under this program unless you are exempt.

You may be exempt from registering for GST if you are a:

  • not-for-profit entity with annual turnover between $75,000 and $150,000 that is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission or Consumer Affairs Victoria.
  • business with annual 2021-22 turnover of $75,000 or more that is not required by relevant tax legislation to be registered for GST, such as NDIS providers and time-share accommodation businesses.

You will have to provide a statutory declaration from a registered tax agent with your application to confirm your organisation’s GST registration exemption.

Please consult a registered tax agent or the Australian Taxation Office if you need more information about whether your business falls under either of these categories.

You may be eligible for emergency support payments through the Commonwealth Government.

My business or organisation has multiple premises and more than one has been affected by the floods. Can I apply for a payment for each location?

No. A business is defined by its Australian Business Number (ABN) and a community sport and active recreation organisation is defined by its incorporated association number (IAN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN).

Each organisation can only receive a total grant amount of up to $50,000 under this program per ABN, IAN, CAN or ICN.

If you have multiple businesses under different ABNs and more than one has been affected by the floods, you can apply for one grant per ABN.

My ABN is registered in another state, but I have a business location in a Victorian flood affected area. Can I apply?

Yes, you can apply if the business location that incurred flood damage is registered in Victoria on and from 14 October 2022. We will verify your ABN information listed with the Australian Business Register (ABR), including all business locations.

Business locations outside of Victoria are not eligible for funding under this program.

I've applied for the Disaster Recovery Payment or the Disaster Recovery Allowance. Can I also apply for this grant?

Yes. If your business has incurred direct flood damage due to the 2022 Victorian floods and is eligible under the program guidelines, you can also apply for a grant under this program.

I applied for less than $50,000 under the program but now I need more funding. Can I apply again?

Yes, if you have already been successful in your initial application and received less than $50,000. You can make up to three total claims under the Business and Community Flood Recovery Grants program so long as the total amount you apply for does not exceed $50,000 (excl. GST).

You will first need to apply for up to $25,000 under Tier 1. You can then make up to two additional claims if the cumulative total does not exceed $50,000 (excl. GST). Each application or claim must be approved before you can submit another claim.

The total of $50,000 includes the $5000 received under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program, if applicable.

If I have been successful for the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program, does this mean I will automatically be eligible for this funding?

No. You will still need to apply under this program and be assessed against the eligibility criteria for this program. For more information, please refer to the program guidelines.

I already received a Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant or a Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Grant, can I apply for this grant?

Yes. You can apply for up to $50,000 (excl. GST), which includes the $5000 received under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program.

I applied but was not successful and did not receive a Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant or a Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Grant, can I apply for this new grant?

No. If you applied for the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Grant and were not eligible or were unsuccessful with your application, you cannot apply for this grant.

If you believe that you were incorrectly assessed, or if you would like to provide further information to support your application, you can submit a complaint to be reassessed within 60 days of an unsuccessful notification.

Do I have to apply for the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant or a Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Grant before applying for this grant?

No, from 4:01pm Tuesday 7 February 2023, you can apply for a Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grant without first receiving either the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program or the Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program.

If you have difficulty applying, call us on 13 22 15 or register online for support from a Business Relief Adviser.

I have lost income because of the floods. Can I apply for this program?

While we understand the distress and impact the floods are having on businesses, community sport organisations and communities, unfortunately, loss of income is not covered by this grant – regardless of whether you reside in an eligible local government area or not. You may be eligible for Australian Government support:

You can apply for these payments on the Services Australia website.

What can’t I use the funds for under this program?

The grant payment cannot be used to cover:

  • loss of income (see above FAQ for other available payments)
  • expenses that you have claimed or can claim under insurance
  • repairs to a building leased for residential or commercial purposes, unless leased in the course of operating the business or organisation
  • costs that have been covered by funding or assistance received from any other government source or program or donation to the business or organisation, where the money received has been (or will be) used to cover costs being claimed under this program
  • superannuation funds and personal investments
  • payment of employee salaries that would have ordinarily been incurred by the small business, not-for-profit or community organisation had the eligible disaster not occurred
  • expansion projects
  • expenses claimed for damages caused by storms and other natural disaster events are not covered under the program
  • any other expenses determined by the department that do not meet program eligibility.

I’m not sure if I am eligible, how do I find out?

Please refer to the program guidelines for eligibility criteria.

If you are still unsure whether you are eligible, please contact us for support by emailing info@business.vic.gov.au or calling the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15 for assistance during operating hours. Check our contact us page for operating hours.

You can also access the free Business Relief Service, which offers confidential one-on-one support from a local Business Relief Adviser via phone and on the ground.

Our Business Relief Advisers can help you through the process, connect with relevant support services and help you with your next steps towards recovery.

To arrange a call from a Business Relief Adviser, register online at Business Victoria, or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Questions about who can apply

Who can apply for a grant?

For businesses: the business owner or an authorised contact for your business can apply for a grant on behalf of your business. The person lodging the application must be identified on the Australian Business Register (ABR) as either the owner, co-owner, associate or authorised contact of your business. A representative, such as an accountant, can apply on behalf of your business if they are listed on the ABR as an authorised contact for your business.

For all applicants: the person applying for the grant must also be authorised to submit the application and agree to the terms and conditions of the grant on behalf of the applicant. This person must be an authorised representative of the organisation or provide a letter of authority from the authorised representative that allows them to enter a legally binding contract with the department.

Who is an authorised representative?

Depending on the entity type, the following people are authorised representatives and can apply on behalf of their organisation:

  1. Companies: a director listed at the Australian Business Register (ABR)
  2. Sole traders: the sole trader
  3. Trusts: an authorised representative of the trustee, being either the trustee (if an individual) or a director of the trustee (if a company)
  4. Partnerships: a partner.
  5. Incorporated associations (including community sport and active recreation organisations): an authorised office holder of the organisation, for example the Secretary or President listed in the registration with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (ICN).

For more information, see section 7 of the program guidelines.

I'm a business with no employees and need a “Qualified Agent” to submit documents for my application, what is a Qualified Agent?

A Qualified Agent includes a:

  • qualified accountant who belongs to one of the following professional bodies at the declared membership classification
    • CPA Australia (i.e. CPA and FCPA)
    • Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (i.e. CA, ACA and FCA)
    • Institute of Public Accountants (i.e. AIPA, MIPA and FIPA) and comply with the body’s continuing professional education requirements
  • registered BAS Agent who belongs to one of the following associations at the declared membership classification, including
    • the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (FICB, MICB, AICB)
    • the Australian Bookkeepers Association (Member), and
    • Association of Accounting Technicians (Australia) Limited and comply with the body’s continuing professional education requirements
  • registered Tax Agent who belongs to one of the following professional bodies, including the:
    • Tax Institute
    • National Tax Agents’ Association (NTAA PLUS) and
    • Tax & Super Australia and comply with the body’s continuing professional education requirements.

As part of the application, you will need to confirm the identity of the Qualified Agent, by providing:

  • Professional membership details
  • A valid Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) registration number (where applicable).

Questions about the application process

I’m filling out an application on my smartphone and I cannot progress beyond the first page of the form. How do I fix this?

It is likely you haven’t ticked the necessary boxes on the form to progress to the next page. If you cannot see the boxes, try turning up your screen brightness and then select the whole text on the page. The different contrast can help show where the boxes are. Tilting the screen can also help.

If you are still having trouble progressing your application, please contact the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Do I need a letter of authority?

If you are not an authorised representative of the business or organisation, you are required to provide a letter of authority.

A letter of authority is a legal document that authorises a third party to act on behalf of a business or organisation. The person completing the letter of authority must be listed as either an:

You will need to provide a letter of authority to act on behalf of your business or organisation if you are:

  • not an associate of the business or authorised office holder of the organisation
  • an accountant, tax agent or BAS agent acting on behalf of the organisation.

Please see the program guidelines and the letter of authority template.

How are applications assessed?

Funding will be allocated through a grant application process on a first-in, first-served basis until the program closes at 4pm on Monday 1 May 2023 or when available funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.

Applications will be carefully considered and assessed against the eligibility criteria and program guidelines.

The following circumstances may be considered when assessing applications:

  • duplicate applications including by a trustee and a trust
  • misleading amendments to information provided to public registers describing the organisation
  • any adverse findings by a government agency or local council regarding an organisation or its operation
  • an organisation is, or notice has been given that it will be, placed under external administration
  • there is an application for liquidation or bankruptcy or to wind up a company or organisation
  • a step is being taken to deregister the company or organisation (including cancellation or lapse in registration or any relevant permit).

Only final applications that are lodged with the department will be considered and assessed. Applications in draft stage will not be considered.

The department’s decision on all matters pertaining to the award of funding under this program is at the department’s absolute discretion.

Second or third claims may take significantly longer to process as the department will prioritise the first-time claim of all applicants over supplementary claims.

How do I know the status of my application?

The status of your application will appear in the Business Victoria Grants Portal:

  • Draft – you have started an application
  • Submitted – you have accepted the terms and conditions and the application has been submitted
  • Under assessment – your application has been received and is being assessed by the Business Victoria team
  • Successful – your application was successful
  • Unsuccessful – your application was unsuccessful.

From the time you submit your application, the department will endeavour to provide you with notifications on the progress of your application.

If you are unable to access the Business Victoria Grants Portal, please contact us on 13 22 15.

How will I find out about the outcome of my application?

You will receive an email from us to the address you provided in your application outlining the outcome of your application.

If somebody else applied on your behalf, they will be notified of the outcome of your application. If you submitted the application yourself, you will be notified directly.

I have made a mistake on my application, can I submit a second application?

If you have an application under assessment (meaning you have not received an outcome), any new application you submit will not be considered. Please call or email us to request your original application be withdrawn before you make a new application.

To withdraw your application, contact us during operating hours for assistance. We are available via phone, email and live chat. If you require a translator, please let the operator know and they will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.

My application was unsuccessful. Can I contest this?

If your application was unsuccessful and you believe that it has been incorrectly assessed, you can lodge a complaint with Business Victoria.

The complaint must be received within 60 days from the date the department notifies you of the outcome of the grant application. If a complaint is not received within 60 days, the decision will be final.

Will I be subject to an audit?

Yes, you may be subject to audit by the Victorian Government or its representatives for a period of four years from receipt of payment.

You must retain evidence that supports your claims such as photos, estimates, invoices and receipts related to the damaged items for which you are claiming. Evidence must be retained for audit purposes for four years from receipt of the grant.

If any information in the application is found to be false or misleading, or the grant payment is not applied for the purposes of your business in accordance with the terms of funding as set out in the program guidelines and the application, the grant payment will be repayable on demand.

When and how will the grant be paid to my business or organisation?

If your application is successful, the department will notify you via email.

The authorised representative of the applicant must acknowledge the email as acceptance of the grant conditions.

This will form an agreement between your business or organisation and the department on the terms contained in the application, email of acceptance, program guidelines and the conditions of grant in the application form.

Once acknowledged, the grant will be paid into the bank account you nominated on the application form. Depending on your bank, it may take up to five business days for the payment to reach your account after depositing.

If you believe you entered incorrect bank details, please email info@business.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15.

How will the department use my data?

Information provided for this program will be used by the department for the purposes of assessing eligibility, program administration and program review. Any personal information about yourself or someone applying on your behalf will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and other applicable laws.

If you have any questions about the privacy of your personal information and the department’s privacy policy, you can contact the department’s Privacy Unit at: privacy@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Questions about evidence and documentation

What evidence do I need to provide at the time of application?

To apply you will need to:

  • meet the eligibility criteria
  • provide proof of identity
  • attest that those costs have not been claimed and are not claimable under insurance
  • for Tier 1 claims (up to $25,000 excl. GST) – submit a statutory declaration outlining the estimate of costs using the template provided. We will contact you via email (within 3 business days from the date you submit your application) and ask you to provide evidence of direct damage required to assess your application (e.g. photos, quotes, reports).
  • for Tier 2 claims (over $25,000 excl. GST)– you must first be approved for Tier 1 before applying. We will contact you to provide evidence of payment (tax invoices and receipts – including for all previous payments made) when we are assessing your application

You must keep evidence supporting your claim for audit purposes for four years from receipt of the grant. Evidence of payment for the cumulative total claimed must be provided to apply for any Tier 1 or Tier 2 funding.

I have lost or cannot access my identity documents due to the floods. What should I do?

If you have a copy or photo of proof of identity documents, you can use it in the application form.

You can also access your digital Medicare card via your myGov account to confirm your identity as part of the application. For more information, see: How to get a digital card

If you cannot access copies of your proof of identity documents or your digital Medicare card, please email info@business.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15. The hotline operates seven days a week. If you require a translator, please let the operator know and they will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.

Which identification documents should I submit with my application?

For businesses and not-for-profits, the business owner or an authorised person for your business can apply for a grant on behalf of your business. The person lodging the application must be identified on the Australian Business Register (ABR) as either the owner, co-owner, associate or authorised contact of your business.

To confirm the identity of the business owner or authorised person as listed on the ABR, or the community sport and active recreation organisation applicant, one of the following current proof of identity documents must be provided:

  • Victorian driver license or learner permit
  • Australian passport
  • Medicare card
  • foreign passport for those issued with an Australian Visa.

I’ve received notification that my identification check has returned an invalid result or could not be validated. How do I update my proof of identity?

Update your contact details by following the steps outlined in our Proof of Identity Verification User Guide.

Download a copy of these instructions: Updating Proof of Identity Details in Grant Hub forms (PDF 633.93 KB) PDF icon

I am having difficulty submitting my identity document. Can I send it by email?

No, due to privacy laws we are unable to accept proof of identify documents emailed to the department. If you are having difficulty and need any assistance completing your application, please call the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15. The hotline operates seven days a week.

If you require a translator, please let the operator know and they will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.

Questions about tax

Are these grants taxable?

They could be. Grants under this program may result in financial, taxation, legal or other implications for the Applicant. It is strongly recommended applicants seek independent advice about these possible impacts.

Can I use the grant to cover any GST from my eligible expenses?

No, the grant can only be used to cover GST exclusive portion of your eligible expenses. You will need to pay the GST portion of your expenses.