Support for licensed bars, cafes, hotels and clubs across regional Victoria will continue through September, and other businesses in regional areas will also be supported where ongoing restrictions severely affect operations.

Support for the City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Mitchell Shire and Surf Coast Shire

With the City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Mitchell Shire and Surf Coast Shire entering a seven-day lockdown, all eligible businesses in those local government area will receive Business Costs Assistance Program and Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments for the last two weeks of September – along with more than 100,000 metropolitan businesses.

Payments to businesses will range from $5,600 to $40,000 for the fortnight to help pay wages, rent, utilities and other ongoing expenses.

Ongoing support for hospitality venues

In recognition of ongoing patron and density limits, Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund payments will be made across the state for the period 17 to 30 September, regardless of location.

Some 2300 eligible cafes, restaurants, hotels and bars in regional areas and more than 7000 in metropolitan Melbourne will receive automatic payments.

Venues with a capacity of under 100 people will receive $10,000 for the fortnight, those with a capacity of 100-499 will receive $20,000 while the largest venues will receive $40,000.

Backing regional Victorian businesses

In addition to automatic Business Costs Assistance Program payments in metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Mitchell Shire and Surf Coast Shire, the Victorian Government has confirmed that payments under this program will be made for the next two weeks to eligible businesses outside these areas.

Businesses in regional Victoria that are included in the list of eligible ANZSIC classes will receive full payment for the two weeks from 17 to 30 September.

Eligible businesses include hospitality and accommodation providers, gyms, hair and nail salons, and tourism and events-related businesses.

Under the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four, payments will be tiered based upon annual payroll size with eligible businesses receiving:

• $2800 per week for businesses with no payroll or an annual payroll below $650,000.
• $5600 per week for businesses with an annual payroll between $650,000 and less than $3 million.
• $8400 per week for businesses with an annual payroll between $3 and $10 million.

Helping Victorians get through the pandemic

The Victorian Government has provided more than $10 billion in direct economic support to business since the start of the pandemic, including $4.2 billion in cash grants to 145,000 recipients since the May/June lockdown.

The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four and payments under the Licensed Hospitality Fund since 28 July 2021 are jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments.