What is the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two?

The Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two provides grants to eligible contracted suppliers to live performance events that have been cancelled or postponed as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns and public health restrictions between 11:59 pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 2 September 2021.

Suppliers are those contracted to provide goods or services to a live performance event, such as performers, crew, venue owners, technicians and engineers.

If you’re an event presenter, you may be eligible for support under the Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two.

Guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, see Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two.

What changes have been made since the first round of the program?

These are the main changes made to the eligibility criteria for Round Two of the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers):

• Applicants can now apply for $200 or $500 per show, depending on the losses or unrecoverable costs they have incurred
• The cap for the two rounds of the program is now $4000 per applicant
• The event must be for an audience of at least 75 people or, in the case of a performance that is repeated across multiple days or a season at the same location, a minimum audience of 200.

Who is eligible for the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two?

To be eligible for the program, a business must:

• be in Victoria
• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in Victoria and have held that ABN from 27 May 2021
• be registered in an eligible industry sector in the List of Eligible ANZSIC classes (as defined by the ANZSIC class linked to the business’s ABN)
• have as its principal activity the supply of goods and services to Live Performance Events
• be trading solvently at the time of application; and
• gain consent from the affected event presenter to share their business and contact details in the application .

For full eligibility requirements, please refer to the program guidelines.

Live Performance Support Program Suppliers Round Two Guidelines (PDF 335.53 KB)

Live Performance Support Program Suppliers Round Two Guidelines (DOCX 1566.14 KB)

I have applied for or received support through Round One of the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers). Am I eligible to apply under Round Two?

If you have been contracted for additional events affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns or health restrictions, you can apply for further support through Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two.

You can’t apply for support for any event you received a grant for in Round One.

You can apply for up to 20 events across the two rounds to a maximum of $4000.

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 (Suppliers) Round Two:

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 through the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers)?

Eligible event suppliers can apply for support for up to 20 live performance events, with the total of $4000 available for each applicant. Note that these caps apply across Rounds One and Two of the program combined.

Under this program, suppliers can apply for either $200 or $500 per event, depending on the level of loss or unrecoverable costs incurred:

• for losses and costs between $200 and $500 (excluding GST), the grant per event is $200
• for losses and costs of $500 or more (excluding GST), the grant per event is $500.

How is a live performance defined?

A live performance event is an event able to be attended by members of the public that is:

• planned and announced to be delivered between 11:59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 2 September 2021
• intended for a live, in-person audience
• held indoors or outdoors
• created for an audience of at least 75 people or, in the case of a performance that is repeated across multiple days or a season at the same location, a minimum aggregate audience of 200.

A live performance event presents creative or cultural content and may include, but is not limited to, music, singing, theatre, opera, dance, comedy or arena events. This does not include sporting, business, private or educational events, even if creative or cultural content is included.

I run a venue and was contracted as a supplier for eligible events – can I apply for this program?

Yes, venues can apply for the program as contracted suppliers.

I am a Victorian based supplier and was contracted to work on an event interstate, can I apply for funding?

Yes. Victorian suppliers who were contracted to work on eligible events in interstate locations can apply for support through this program.

My business is based outside Victoria and I was contracted to work on an event in Victoria. Am I eligible for support through this program?

No. This program is only open to Victorian based and registered businesses.

Can I apply for both the Presenters and Suppliers streams of the Live Performance Support Program Round Two?

No. Applicants must apply for either the Presenters or Suppliers streams. You cannot apply for both.

Who is a contracted supplier?

A contracted supplier to a live performance event is a business whose primary activity is delivery of a featured or advertised performance or other goods and services to support the delivery of a live performance event. This may include performers, crew, venues, merchandise sellers, technicians and engineers (refer to the eligible ANZSIC classes list above).

Contracted suppliers will be eligible for support if they have been contracted to provide a service, including performance, for a live performance event that is cancelled or postponed because of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions between 11:59 pm on 27 May 2021 and 11:59pm on 2 September 2021. They must have incurred direct unrecoverable costs or loss of income because of the cancellation.

How can I use a Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two grant?

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

• 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
• any other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

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

Yes. Applicants to the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) do not need to be registered for GST.

When will the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two be open for applications?

The program will be open for applications from Wednesday, 18 August 2021 until 11:59pm on Wednesday, 8 September 2021.

I have applied for a grant under the Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two. When will I be told the outcome of my application?

We will endeavour to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application by  Wednesday, 29 September 2021.

Please note that 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 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.

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.