Contents

Questions about the program

What is the grant value?

The amount available for this grant is one $5,000 grant per eligible applicant (as defined by its ABN). The department will not pay GST in addition to the $5,000 grant amount.

What can I use the grant funding for?

Grants are provided to support eligible small businesses recover from the 2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires. This could include any of the following:

  • meeting standard business costs, including utilities, rates, stock replacement and rent; seeking financial advice to support the recovery of the business;
  • adjusting the business to be viable in the changed local context following the bushfires;
  • developing the business and extending business reach through marketing and communications activities; or
  • improvements to make the business more resilient to future disasters.

Applicants must be able to provide evidence of how grant funds were used, and grant expenditure may be subject to audit as per the guidelines.

What can I not use the grant fund for?

Grant funds cannot be used for the following:

  • costs already covered by insurance
  • wages or salary
  • personal items or services
  • luxury or non-essential items that don’t support business recovery
  • costs covered by other government funding, assistance or donations
  • superannuation funds and personal investments; or
  • any other expenses considered ineligible by the department.

Is the grant tax exempt?

No, the grant of $5,000 is assessable income and taxable. Grants under this program may result in financial, taxation, legal or other implications for the applicant. Businesses may be able to claim tax deductions for appropriate expenditure funded by the grant. It is strongly recommended applicants seek independent advice about these possible impacts.

What is a Qualified Agent?

The Qualified Agent cannot be an employee or director of the applicant, or an employer, or an associated entity of the applicant.

A Qualified Agent includes:

  • A qualified accountant who is a member of one of the following professional bodies at the specified membership levels and meets the body’s ongoing professional educations standards:
    1. CPA Australia (i.e. CPA and FCPA),
    2. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (i.e. CA, ACA and FCA) and iii)
    3. Institute of Public Accountants (i.e. AIPA, MIPA and FIPA)
  • A registered Business Activity Statement Agent who is a member of one of the following professional bodies at the specified membership levels and meets the body’s ongoing professional educations standards
    1. Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (FICB, MICB, AICB)
    2. Australian Bookkeepers Association (Member)
    3. Association of Accounting Technicians (Australia) Limited
  • A registered Tax Agent who belongs to one of the following professional bodies and meets the body’s ongoing professional educations standards
    1. The Tax Institute
    2. National Tax Agents’ Association (NTAA PLUS)
    3. Tax & Super Australia.

Where can I find a Qualified Agent to help me with my application?

To find a Qualified Agent for your Business Bushfire Recovery Grant application, please consult the websites of these professional bodies:

When should I engage a Qualified Agent?

It is recommended that you complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker to determine your potential eligibility, before you engage a Qualified Agent.

How will a Qualified Agent know what to include in a letter of authorisation?

The letter, in the specified format will be available through the application form, and must be completed and signed by a Qualified Agent as part of the application process.

Can I be reimbursed for the cost of the qualified agent?

No, any cost associated with accessing or utilising the services of a qualified agent is not eligible for reimbursement.

Questions about eligibility

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

To check your indicative eligibility, complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker .

If your business is potentially eligible for the program, you will then receive an email inviting you to submit an application.

If you are unsure, please contact us by emailing info@business.vic.gov.au or calling the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 during operational hours for assistance.

Which local government areas are eligible for this grant?

This program is for businesses located in the following six eligible Local Government areas:

  • Ararat
  • Hindmarsh
  • Horsham
  • Northern Grampians
  • Southern Grampians
  • West Wimmera

How do I find out which local government area my business is located in?

You check your local government area by visiting https://www.vic.gov.au/know-your-council.

My business ABN is registered outside of an eligible LGA, but I regularly conduct business in an eligible LGA, am I eligible to apply?

You may be eligible to apply through an exceptional circumstance consideration. You will need to demonstrate evidence of operations in an eligible LGA, this could be through a council notice, insurance, contract or lease arrangements. You can apply for the exceptional circumstances by entering your details through the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker.

The revenue decline attributable to operations in eligible LGA must be a minimum of $10,000 and must be substantial enough to account for at least a 40 per cent decline in ordinary revenue across the business’ entire operations. You must be able to demonstrate that your business has experienced a decline in revenue of at least $10,000 over a three consecutive month period (within the period 16 December 2024 to 26 April 2025) and that the decline represents at least 40 per cent of ordinary revenue (measured from a benchmark period: within the period 16 December 2023 to 26 April 2024).

You can complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker to check your indicative eligibility.

Why is the ABN registration date set as 16 December 2023?

The ABN registration date of 16 December 2023 has been carefully chosen to help ensure that businesses applying for the grant were well-established and actively operating before the 2024–25 Western Victoria Bushfires. This date allows businesses to demonstrate their ordinary revenue for the benchmark period commencing 16 December 2023.

To be eligible you must hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and continuously from 16 December 2023.

Under exceptional circumstances, if you commenced operations and therefore registered your ABN after 16 December 2023 but before 16 December 2024, consideration may be given to your application. You will be responsible for providing sufficient reasons and evidence in support of an application under these circumstances.

You can apply for the exceptional circumstances by entering your details through the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker .

Why is the Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration date set as 16 December 2024?

The GST registration date of 16 December 2024 is intended to confirm that businesses had a clear and ongoing GST registration at the time the bushfires began to affect the region. By using this date, we aim to ensure that the businesses applying for the grant were operational at the time of the bushfires.

To be eligible you must be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) and have held GST registration on and continuously from 16 December 2024, the commencement of the impact period.

My business is not registered for GST, am I eligible to apply?

You must have been registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and continuously from 16 December 2024 to be eligible for a grant under this program.

Businesses that backdate their GST registration date will not be eligible.

Not-for-profit entities with annual turnover between $75,000 and $150,000, which are not registered for GST and are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission are eligible to apply.

Businesses with an annual turnover of $75,000 or more that are not required by relevant taxation legislation to be registered for GST are eligible to apply. They must attest to their exemption when they apply. A letter from a Qualified Agent may be required.

More information on whether you need to register for GST is available on the Australian Taxation Office website.

If you’re not eligible for this grant, you may be eligible for other support such as the Business Recovery Advisory Service or the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

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

No. You must have been registered for GST by 16 December 2024 and continue to be registered to eligible for this program. Businesses that apply to register for GST after 16 December 2024 and then backdate their registration will not be eligible. Businesses that backdate their GST registration date will not be eligible.

I do not employ people or have WorkCover Insurance, am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible for this grant, you must be an employing business with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees on payroll and be currently registered with WorkSafe Victoria. For example, if you are a sole trader, your business must employ someone other than yourself.

If you’re not eligible for this grant, you may be eligible for other support such as the Business Recovery Advisory Service or the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

We have multiple businesses attached to our ABN, am I eligible to apply for each business?

No, a business, as defined by its Australian Business Number (ABN), can only receive one grant under this program.

I am a primary producer, and I did not incur a revenue decline, but my business assets were directly impacted (burned) by the 2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires. Am I eligible to apply?

A primary producer that has not incurred a 40 per cent revenue decline may still be eligible to apply under exceptional circumstances. The primary producer must be located within the defined burn area of the 2024-25 Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and/or 2025 Little Desert National Park bushfires (use this LINK to confirm location is within the noted burn area in the map). The primary producer must demonstrate evidence of:

  • direct damage to one or more business assets as a direct result of the bushfires during the impacted period, and
  • incurred expenditure of at least $10,000 to repair or replace the directly damaged business assets before 30 June 2025.

You can apply for the exceptional circumstances by entering your details through the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker .

Questions about evidence and documentation

Which identification documents should I submit with my application?

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, 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.

If you need further support, please call Business Victoria on 13 22 15 or email info@business.vic.gov.au.

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

No, we are unable to accept proof of identify documents by email due to privacy laws. If you need help with your application, please call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 during operational hours.

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

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

If you have a copy or photo of your identity documents, you can use that in your application.

You can also confirm your identity using your digital Medicare card which is available through your myGov account. Learn how to get a digital card.

If you can’t access any proof of identity documents or your digital Medicare card, please email us at info@business.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 during operational hours. If you need a translator, please let the operator know and they will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.

How do I show that my ordinary revenue has declined by 40 per cent and a minimum of $10,000?

You need to provide a letter from a Qualified Agent (such as a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or Business Activity Statement agent) to verify your 40 per cent ordinary revenue decline which is at least $10,000.

When you complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker , you can enter your estimated ordinary revenue for the benchmark period and impacted period. The checker then calculates your estimated ordinary revenue decline as a percentage.

To manually calculate your ordinary revenue decline, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose an Impacted Period – Select any three consecutive months within the timeframe of 16 December 2024 to 26 April 2025 where your ordinary revenue declined. This becomes your ‘Impacted Period’.

Step 2: Find your Benchmark Period – Identify your ordinary revenue for the same three consecutive month period in the previous year (16 December 2023 to 26 April 2024). This shows your normal revenue before the bushfires (Benchmark Period).

Step 3: Calculate the Revenue Reduction–Use this formula:

Revenue reduction % = [1 – (Revenue in Impacted Period/Revenue in Benchmark Period)] x 100

Example: If your revenue was $20,000 during the Impacted Period and $50,000 during the Benchmark Period:

[1-(20,000/50,000)] x 100 = 60% revenue reduction

Am I required to retain evidence of expenditures of the grant funds?

Yes, successful applicants must retain their evidence of expenditure documents (e.g. paid tax invoices, paid receipts) for a minimum period of 4 years from the open date of the program for audit purposes ( until 13 May 2029).

Questions about the application process

How are applications assessed?

Each application is carefully reviewed against the eligibility criteria and program guidelines.

Only completed applications submitted to the department will be assessed. Draft applications will not be considered.

The following factors may be considered:

  • any adverse findings by a government agency or local council about your business
  • if your business is under external administration, or has received notice of it
  • if a petition has been filed for bankruptcy or to wind up or deregister your business
  • if your business is unregistered or has lost required permits.

The department has full discretion in deciding grant approvals.

Applications close on 13 November 2025 at 4:00 pm or when funding allocations are exhausted, whichever comes first.

How do I know the status of my application?

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

Once you submit your application, the department will keep you updated on its progress.

You will receive an email notification about the outcome of your application.

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

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

Once your application is approved the grant will be paid into the bank account you provided on the application form. Depending on your bank, it may take up to ten business days for the payment to appear in your account.

If you believe you entered incorrect bank details, you can update your bank details by completing and submitting the bank account update request form. For more information, please visit the Updating your bank account details website.

What do you mean by a ‘business day’?

Business days refer to Monday to Friday AEDT, and exclude Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

Can I email or post my application?

No. Applications will only be accepted via the Business Victoria Grants Portal.

How will I know the outcome of my application?

If your application is successful, you'll receive a Successful Email. You'll need to acknowledge this by submitting an acceptance form to receive the $5,000 grant. This forms the agreement between you and the Department based on the terms in the application form, your application, the confirmation email, and the guidelines.

My application was unsuccessful. Can I contest this?

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

The complaint must be submitted within 30 days from the date you are notified of the outcome of the grant application. After 30 days, the decision will be final.

When do applications close?

Applications will close on 13 November 2025 at 4.00pm unless funds are allocated earlier. Applications will not be accepted after this date and time.

Who can I contact if I’m having trouble using the application system, submitting an application form or have a question about the process?

Please email info@business.vic.gov.au or call the Business Victoria hotline at 13 22 15.

The Business Recovery Advisory Service is also available to support you in applying for the grant.

How will the department use my data?

The department will use the information you provide to assess your eligibility, manage the program and conduct program reviews Any personal information about you or someone applying on your behalf will be collected, stored, 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 grant expenditure and audit process

Will I be subject to an audit?

Applicants may be audited by the Victorian Government or its representatives for up to four years from the program open date (until 13 May 2029).

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

You must retain all evidence that supports your application and expenditure related to this grant for the full audit period.

If any information in your application is found to be incorrect, false or misleading, or if the grant is not used for your business as outlined in the program guidelines, you may be required to repay the grant.

What is the program evaluation survey?

Successful applicants will be required to participate in a program evaluation survey in early 2026. The survey will also ask you to provide details on how the grant funds were spent.