The Victorian Government has announced that it is delivering a $196.6 million package to businesses in Victoria’s construction sector, providing cash grants to thousands of operators across the state.

The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction will provide support to eligible businesses,including sole traders, who were impacted by restrictions between 21 September to 4 October. Non-employing businesses will receive a $2000 grant and employing businesses will receive grants ranging from $2800 to $8400 depending on their payroll size.

Support for affected areas

More than 70,000 construction businesses in metropolitan Melbourne, the City of Greater Geelong, Mitchell Shire and Surf Coast Shire could be eligible for grants under the new Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction.

Launching soon

Applications for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction will open in mid-October. To be eligible, businesses must be registered under a relevant construction-sector ANZSIC codes, have a turnover of less than $10 million a year, be unable to operate remotely, have incurred direct costs due to restrictions, and be registered for GST. Businesses must have not previously received support under the Business Costs Assistance Program or the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund.

Guidelines for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction will be published next week and the program will open mid October – subscribe to the Business Victoria newsletter for updates on this and other business support programs.

Prioritising COVID safety in the industry

The Victorian Government has announced a plan for the COVIDSafe restart of the construction industry on Tuesday 5 October 2021.

Under this plan, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has made it a requirement for all workers to have received their first dose of a COVID‑19 vaccine prior to returning to the worksite.

Additionally, all site operators must complete a COVIDSafe construction declaration form prior to reopening.

Helping Victorians get through the pandemic

The business support grants for the construction sector sit alongside the Business Costs Assistance Program, which is supporting more than 120,000 businesses most affected by lockdown in sectors ranging from retail to beauty services, tourism and events.

Over the course of the pandemic, the Victorian Government has provided more than $11 billion in direct economic support to business, including $4.7 billion in cash grants to 170,000 businesses since June.