What types of businesses have a Class 2 or 3 Food Service Sector classification under the Food Act 1984?

This program supports businesses with Class 2 or 3 Certificates of Registration under the Food Act 1984 that operate a restaurant, hotel, cafe, pub, bar, club or reception centre.

The premises types are reflected in the classifications set by the Department of Health under the Food Act 1984. Certificates of Registration issued by local councils are consistent with these classifications and predetermined premises types.

A food certificate can only be used once for a grant application, for one premises.

If you are unsure about your business’s classification under the Food Act 1984, please refer to your Certificate of Registration or contact your local council.

Why do I need to provide a Class 2 or 3 Service Sector Certificate of Registration under the Food Act 1984?

The Certificate will demonstrate that food is being served at the same premises as that of the liquor licence. It will also confirm the type of premises and location.

A food certificate can only be used once for a grant application, for one premises.

Am I still eligible to apply if I am the liquor licensee but another operator or entity is responsible for serving food on the same premises and is the holder of the Class 2 or 3 Service Sector Certificate of Registration under the Food Act 1984?

Yes, as the liquor licensee you are eligible to apply through the link on the invitation sent to you by Business Victoria.

If you do not hold a Class 2 or 3 Service Sector Certificate of Registration under the Food Act 1984, you may still be eligible to apply to the program, if:

• you can supply a Class 2 or 3 Food Service Certificate of Registration from the operator that serves food at the same premises
• the food certificate is a Class 2 or 3 Service Sector Certificate of Registration under the Food Act 1984 and an eligible premises type: restaurant, hotel, cafe, bar, pub, club, or reception centre
• the food certificate states the same address as that specified on the liquor licence
• the food certificate has not been used for another application to this program or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
• the food certificate is valid in 2020 or 2021.

If you only hold a food certificate and do not have a liquor licence you are not eligible for support under this program.

Are grant payments the same for premises in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne?

Yes. Eligible businesses will receive $7200 per premises no matter where in Victoria they are located.

I have funds owing to the department and still need to pay back all or some of the amount. Will I receive a grant from this round if I’m eligible?

If you are eligible to receive a grant from this round but still have outstanding payments owing to the department, we may deduct the grant amount from your balance.

You will be notified by email if funds owing will be deducted from your balance.

Please contact the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 to discuss further, including available repayment options.

Questions about emailed invitation

I don’t have an eLicence email address. Can you email the application form link to another email address?

No. Business Victoria can only provide the link to eLicence email addresses to ensure that applications are only open to eligible liquor licensees.

Liquor licensees without an eLicence email address must set one on the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation's Liquor Portal by 11:59pm on Monday 16 August 2021 to receive their grant application link. An email will be sent as soon as possible after registering your eLicence email.

I only recently set up my eLicence email in my Liquor Portal account. When will I receive my application form link from Business Victoria?

It will take up to five business days to receive your application form link after registering your eLicence email.

If you don’t receive your application form link after a week, please check your junk or spam email folders and ensure you correctly registered your eLicence email address on the Liquor Portal.

If the email still hasn’t arrived, please call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Only eLicence email addresses set up by 11.59pm on Monday 16 August 2021 will receive an application form link.

Can I forward an email invitation to an authorised business representative to complete the application on my behalf?

Yes, you can forward an email invitation to an authorised business representative to complete the application on your (the licensee’s) behalf.

For the application to be accepted, the person completing it must include the eLicence email reference in the application form.

We can only accept one application per premises.

I have received an email invitation to apply but I am no longer authorised to act on behalf of the licensee. What should I do?

If you are not authorised to act on behalf of the licensee and you have received an email invitation, do not apply.

Notify the licensee, who is responsible for ensuring the authorised person’s details and registered eLicence email are up-to-date on the Liquor Portal.

You can find instructions on how to set up or update a Liquor Portal account on the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation website.

I should have received an email invitation to apply but cannot find this in my inbox. What should I do?

Please check your spam and junk folders for emails from covid19programs@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

If you cannot find the email invitation in your spam and junk folders, please check that you have registered an eLicence email for that liquor licence.  If uncertain, please contact the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to confirm.

Only eLicence email addresses set up by 11.59pm Monday 16 August 2021 will receive a link to apply to the program.

Questions about evidence and documentation

I have 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.

Questions about regulators

What Commonwealth and Victorian regulators does a business need to be registered with to be eligible?

For the purposes of this program, a business is defined as an entity whose business name is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

In the case of a social enterprise, it may be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

In the case of an incorporated association, it must be registered with Consumers Affairs Victoria (CAV).

Businesses must ensure their registration is current before submitting their application. If your business is not registered when you apply, it will not be eligible to receive a grant.

An adverse finding by a Commonwealth or Victorian regulator is also considered when processing grant applications.

How do I register with the relevant Commonwealth or Victorian regulator?

• Visit Registering a business if you are a business.
• Visit myCAV accounts if you are an incorporated association.

Following up your application and application process

How long does an application take to process?

We will endeavour to process and notify applicants of the outcome of their application within 10 business days.

The following circumstances are considered when assessing applications:

• any adverse findings by a government agency or local council regarding a business or its operation
• a business is, or notice has been given that it will be, placed under external administration
• a petition for bankruptcy or to wind up or deregister a company or business
• the business is or becomes deregistered or unregistered (including cancellation or lapse in registration or any relevant permit).

Can I apply for more than one grant if I operate multiple premises under one ABN?

If the business operates more than one premises under its ABN, the business must apply separately for each premises.

You can only receive one grant of $7200 per eligible premises.

What happens if I’ve submitted applications for both the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension and the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 July Extension?

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

Submitting applications for both programs will result in delays to processing your applications.

We recommend you check your eligibility for both programs before deciding to apply.

What if I accidentally submit two applications for the same premises?

You do not need to take any action if you have accidentally submitted two applications for the same premises.

We will only pay one grant for that premises; however, this will result in a delay to processing your applications.

Will grant applications be audited?

Applicants will be subject to an audit by the Victorian Government or its representatives for four years after the grant has been approved.

If information in the application is found to be false or misleading, any grant awarded to the applicant must be repaid on demand by the Victorian Government.

I have not heard about my application. Is it still being considered?

We will endeavour to process all applications within 10 business days.

There may be delays if:

• your application does not meet all the criteria outlined in the guidelines
• you have not submitted all required supporting documentation with your application
• the submitted documentation, such as a Certificate of Registration under the Food Act 1984, is incorrect
• the application has been returned to you for amendments
• more than one application has been submitted for the same premises
• there are incorrect details on the application form; for example, an incorrect ABN
• an application has also been submitted for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension.

What happens if I have submitted an application but not received any email notifications?

Please check your spam and junk email for emails from covid19programs@ecodev.vic.gov.au. If you cannot find an email in your junk box, please call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

We may email applicants for the following reasons:

• if you have not submitted the correct supporting documentation
• if your application is considered eligible and you have been awarded a grant
• if your application is ineligible as it does not meet the eligibility criteria of the program.