What is the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters)

The Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) supports presenters of live performance events that were scheduled to take place between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 24 June 2021 and have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Eligible applicants can receive up to $7000 under this program. Presenters include producers, promoters, venue owners and artists promoting their own show.

The program is part of the Victorian Government’s Circuit Breaker Business Support Package.

Who is eligible for the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters)?

To be eligible for grant under this program, a business must:

  • be located within Victoria
  • be registered as operating in an eligible industry sector identified in the List of Eligible ANZSIC classes (as defined by the ANZSIC class linked to the business’ ABN)
  • be the ‘Presenter’ of a ‘Live Performance Event’ that meets the definition in Section 8 of this document that was scheduled to take place between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 24 June 2021 and was cancelled due to the circuit breaker action that commenced at 11.59pm on 27 May 2021
  • have incurred unrecoverable costs as a result of the circuit breaker action greater than $7000 for the live performance event that is the subject of the application
  • be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 27 May 2021
  • hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in Victoria and have held that ABN at 27 May 2021
  • be trading solvently at the time of application
  • be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator
  • agree to gain consent from the key Contracted Suppliers for the cancelled event to give the following business details in the application: name and ABN.

If an employing business:

  • 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 circuit breaker action, and supporting their casual workers, where possible.

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon for programs under the Victorian Events Support Package.

Which ANZSIC classes are eligible for a grant under this program?

Businesses operating in the following industry sectors are eligible to apply for a grant under the Live Performance Support Program:

4520 - Pubs, Taverns and Bars

4530 - Clubs (Hospitality)

5522 – Music and other sound recording activities

7299 – Other administrative services n.e.c.

9001 – Performing arts operation

9002 – Creative artists, musicians, writers and performers

9003 – Performing arts venue operation

What support is available under the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters)?

Live performance presenters can receive up to $7000 under this program. If you’re a contracted supplier to a live performance event, visit the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) FAQs.

How is a live performance defined?

A live performance event is a public event planned and delivered on a specific date/s intended for a live, in-person audience and accessed by a member of the public by transaction such as buying a ticket.

The event may be indoor or outdoor and created for a paying audience of at least 200 people, either at a single performance or across multiple sessions, days or season.

A live performance event presents creative or cultural content such as music, singing, opera, dance, theatre, comedy. This program does not include sporting, business and educational events.

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon for programs under the Victorian Events Support Package.

Who is a presenter?

A presenter is a person or organisation with the right to hold, cancel or reschedule an event, collect the proceeds from ticket sales and/or re-locate a live performance event. This could be a producer, promoter, venue owner or artist promoting their own show.

Presenters are eligible under this program if they have had to cancel a live performance event between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 24 June 2021 due to the current restrictions. They must have incurred direct costs or loss of income of more than $7000 because of the cancellation.

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon for programs under the Victorian Events Support Package.

I am an artist/performer/musician. Can I apply for support?

Yes. If you present or promote your own event, you can apply for up to $7000 as a live performance presenter.

If you are contracted to work on an event, you can apply as a supplier for up to $500 per event for up to four different events. For more information visit Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) FAQs .

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon for programs under the Victorian Events Support Package.

I am not GST-registered. Can I still apply through the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters)?

Applicants to the presenters’ stream must be registered for GST on 27 May 2021. More information about this is available on the Australian Taxation Office website.

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.

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon for programs under the Victorian Events Support Package.

Do I need to have an Australian Business Number (ABN) to apply?

Yes, applicants to both streams of the Live Performance Support Program must be registered as operating in an eligible industry sector identified in the List of Eligible ANZSIC classes, as defined by the ANZSIC class linked to the business’ ABN.

The business must have an ABN that is registered in Victoria and have held that ABN at 27 May 2021.

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, will be available soon for programs under the Victorian Events Support Package.

How can I use a Live Performance Support Program (Presenter) grant?

The grants must be used to assist businesses, for example on:

  • meeting business costs, including utilities, wages or rent
  • seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning
  • developing the business through marketing and communications activities
  • any other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

How can I find out more information?

For further information or if you have any queries about your application, contact the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15.

My event has previously received funding under another Victorian Government program. Can I still apply for the Live Performance Support Program?

Yes. Businesses that have received funding through other Victorian Government business support programs can apply for assistance under this program.

They will have the amount received from other business support programs discounted from the total grant received under this program.

I have applied for a grant under the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round One. When will I receive a notification on the outcome of my application?

As noted in the program guidelines, DJPR will endeavour to notify all applicants of the outcome of their round one application within 15 business days from the close of the program on Friday 16 July 2021.

There may be delays if further information is required to complete your application; for example:

  • it does not have correct evidence or documentation
  • it appears to duplicate an application for the same event
  • the ABN or bank details provided are incorrect (for successful Applicants)
  • the information provided does not match information registered with relevant regulators or partner agencies, such as the State Revenue Office, Australian Business Register or WorkSafe Victoria.