FAQ categories:

Questions about eligibility

Which sectors are eligible for a grant?

To see if your business is in an eligible industry sector you should:

  • check the four-digit ANZSIC class linked to your Australian Business Number (ABN) on the Australian Business Register and confirm it matches your primary business activity
  • check if the four-digit ANZSIC class linked to your ABN is in the list of eligible ANZSIC classes for this program.

If your four-digit ANZSIC class linked to your ABN is not on the list of eligible ANZSIC classes for this program, then your business is not eligible for a grant under this program.

If you need to update your ANZSIC class, more information is available on the Australian Business Register.

You should only change your ANZSIC class if your current one does not accurately reflect your business activity.

Which sectors are NOT eligible for a grant?

Businesses that are continuing to operate or can work from home during restrictions are not eligible to apply for a grant. For example:

  • essential retail (i.e. supermarkets, food retailers, pharmacies)
  • manufacturing
  • construction
  • mining
  • agriculture, forestry and fishing
  • professional services (with some exceptions, such as wedding and events photographers).

How can I ensure I’m eligible for top-up payments?

To receive top-up payments under the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or July Extension, businesses must continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the program from which they received an initial grant.

See the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension for more information about the programs’ eligibility criteria.

My business is able to partially operate during restrictions. Can I apply for this grant?

Businesses in eligible sectors continuing to operate but unable to carry out their usual business activity can apply and may be eligible for a grant.

For example:

  • a retail business unable to open for normal trading that changed its operation to 'click and collect'
  • a restaurant unable to have dine-in service but operated a takeaway service.

How do I update my Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) on the Australian Business Register?

Only update your ANZSIC class if your current class does not reflect the activities of your business.

Business Victoria is not able to advise you on which ANZSIC class your business falls into. If you are unsure about your business’s ANZSIC class, please seek independent advice (from your accountant, for example) or by contacting the Australian Business Register.

If you need to update your ABR details, there is a step-by-step guide on the Australian Business Register and the Business Victoria website.

I wasn’t eligible for a grant from the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two. Can I apply for this round?

Yes, you can apply for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension. This provides eligible businesses that did not apply or were ineligible for the Program in June and believe they are now eligible, with an opportunity to apply for the equivalent of the July Top-Up Payments  .

You will be eligible for a grant from the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension if you meet all the program’s eligibility criteria.

I received a grant under the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or July Extension program but I’ve stopped receiving automatic top-up payments. Why has this happened?

Before processing top-up payments, we verify your business’ information with partner agencies, including the State Revenue Office (SRO), WorkSafe and the Australian Business Register (ABR) to ensure businesses still meet the eligibility requirements of the program.

Your top-up payments may have been discontinued if you no longer meet all the eligibility criteria, for example if your ABN is no longer active.

If you believe you are still eligible to receive top-up payments, or would like further information, you can contact Business Victoria or call the hotline on 13 22 15, open seven days a week.

I have applied for a Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 July Extension Program grant. Can I also apply for this program?

Businesses can only receive a grant from either the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension, or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 July Extension, not both.

If you submit applications to both programs and are found to be eligible under both programs, you will only receive one grant.

However, applying for both programs may result in delays in processing and sending out your payment.

What types of businesses are eligible?

Employing and non-employing businesses, companies, partnerships, and trusts are eligible to apply for a grant from the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension. Superannuation trusts are not eligible. For more information, please read the program guidelines.

Questions about grant payments

I still have not received my grant. When will it be processed?

We endeavour to process your application and notify you of a successful outcome within 10 business days. There may be delays in notifying you of an outcome if your application:

  • does not meet all the eligibility criteria
  • does not have correct evidence or documentation
  • requires you to make changes
  • is a duplicate application for the same business
  • has incorrect information, such as ABN or bank details (for successful Applicants)
  • does not include current or accurate information registered with relevant regulators or partner agencies, such as the State Revenue Office, Australian Business Register or WorkSafe Victoria.

Once we advise you of your successful application, your grant will be paid into your nominated bank account. Depending on your bank, it may take up to five business days for the payment to reach your account.

It might take us longer than ten business days to assess your application and notify you of the outcome if it:

  • does not meet all the eligibility criteria
  • does not have correct evidence or documentation
  • requires you to make changes
  • is a duplicate application for the same business
  • has incorrect information, such as ABN or bank details
  • does not include current or accurate information registered with relevant regulators or partner agencies, such as the State Revenue Office, Australian Business Register or WorkSafe Victoria.

Questions about goods and services tax (GST)

Why do I have to be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) to receive this grant?

This program requires a business to be registered for GST because it shows the business was actively trading on or from 15 July 2021 and is a genuine and substantial operation that the owner and their employees or contractors rely on for income.

This is consistent with our previous COVID-19 support programs, including the Business Support Fund rounds two and three, the Sole Trader Support Fund (which supported non-employing businesses, including sole traders) and the first round of the Business Costs Assistance Program.

A business must register for GST when it has a GST turnover (gross income minus GST) of $75,000 or more.

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

Businesses with annual 2019-20 turnover of more than $75,000 that are not required under relevant tax legislation to be registered for GST, such as NDIS providers and time-share accommodation businesses, were also eligible to apply but were required to provide a statutory declaration from a registered tax agent with their application.

My business has an annual 2019-20 turnover of less than $75,000, which means I’m not required to be registered for GST. Am I eligible for a grant under this program due to this exception?

No, you must be registered for GST on 15 July 2021 and meet all the other eligibility criteria to receive a grant under this program.
The only exceptions to the requirement of being registered for GST on 15 July 2021 were:

  • not-for-profit entities with annual turnover between $75,000 and $150,000 that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission
  • businesses with annual 2019-20 turnover of $75,000 or more that are not required by relevant tax legislation to be registered for GST, such as NDIS providers and time-share accommodation businesses. These businesses were required to provide a statutory declaration from a registered tax agent with their application.

I recently registered my business for GST. Will this affect my eligibility?

For the purposes of this program, you will need to ensure your GST registration must have been active on 15 July 2021. More information about this is available on the Australian Taxation Office website.

I am a performer or artist who has lost work during restrictions, but I am not registered for GST. Can I still access support?

No, under the program guidelines all applicants must be registered for GST. A business or enterprise must register for GST if it has a turnover of $75,000 or more.

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

Performers and artists who not registered for GST are eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s COVID‑19 Disaster Payment of $600 or $375 per week. The Victorian Government has established a new Concierge Service to help access this support.

Questions about evidence and documentation

Which identification documents should I submit with my application?

You must provide details of a current proof of identity document. This must be one of the following: an Australian driver licence or learner permit, an Australian Passport, a Medicare Card, or a foreign passport with an Australian Visa.

I’ve received notification that my identification 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.

How do I provide evidence that my business is registered for WorkCover Insurance with WorkSafe Victoria?

If you are an employing business, you will need to include your unique WorkCover Employer Number (WEN) on your application.

Your WEN can be found on the top right-hand corner of your 2020-21 invoice from WorkSafe Victoria. Your WEN is also printed on your WorkSafe Certificate of Currency. Note you do not need to provide your certificate of currency when applying for this grant.

If you have only recently applied to be registered with WorkSafe and do not have a WEN, please provide the WorkSafe Application Reference Number (WRN) instead.

Non-employing businesses do not need to provide a WEN on their application.

I’ve recently applied for a WorkCover Employer Number (WEN) but haven’t received it. What can I provide in my application as evidence that I’m registered with WorkSafe Victoria?

If you have only recently applied to be registered with WorkSafe and do not have a WEN, please provide the WorkSafe Application Reference Number (WRN) instead.

A WRN is issued in the format of NR-XXXXXX-XXXXXX when you submit an online application for WorkCover insurance. It appears in printable form once the application is submitted. You will also receive an email with the number.

When your WEN is issued, your information will be updated in our systems automatically and we will progress your application. You do not need to take any action.

Please note that applications with a WRN may take longer to process because the WorkCover registration process must be complete before we can start assessing your application.

Why do I have to attest that I am supporting my workers?

We know these are difficult times for many businesses and workers. The attestation aims to confirm that employing businesses are making reasonable efforts to support their workers.

Employing businesses applying for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension must attest that their business is supporting:

  • its workers to access any paid leave entitlements
  • its workers to work from home, where possible
  • its casual workers, where possible.

Businesses who are making reasonable efforts to support their workers should apply. Grants must be used to assist the business, including by meeting business costs such as wages.

Following up on your application and the application process

How can I know the status of my application?

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

  • Draft – you have started an application
  • Submitted – you have accepted the terms and conditions and 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, you will receive progress notifications.

We cannot contact you while your application remains in ‘draft’ as you haven’t yet given permission for the department to use your contact details.