Independent Cinema Support Program

Extra support for Victorian businesses

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have announced a new, jointly funded business support package, delivering an additional $400 million in support to thousands of Victorian businesses.

For more information, see Extra support for Victorian businesses.

Program overview

Victoria’s cinemas benefited from the Independent Cinema Support Program, which supported independent cinemas unable to operate with a payment of up to $12,000 per cinema venue.

The program is now closed.

Program Guidelines

Independent Cinema Support Program Guidelines (PDF 311.83 KB)

Independent Cinema Support Program Guidelines (DOCX 1553.68 KB)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

For more information please read the Independent Cinema Support Program frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, businesses must:

be in Victoria
be registered as operating an independent cinema in Victoria within the ANZSIC class code of 5513
be registered for goods and services tax (GST) on Thursday 27 May 2021
hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in Victoria and have held that ABN on Thursday 27 May 2021
be trading solvently at the time of application
be registered with the responsible Australian or Victorian regulator
have incurred direct costs and loss of income greater than $12,000 because of the restrictions that began in Victoria at 11.59pm on Thursday 27 May 2021.

If an employing business, you must:

be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
have an annual Victorian payroll of up to $10 million in 2019-20 on an ungrouped basis
attest that the business is supporting its workers to access any paid leave entitlements, or that if a person can work from home, to work from home during the restrictions, and supporting their casual workers, where possible.

Grant amount

The total value of a grant available to each applicant is $12,000 per cinema premises.

How to apply