15 Sep 2020
Sole Trader Support Fund
The $100 million Sole Trader Support Fund will provide $3000 grants to eligible sole traders who continue to be affected by the restrictions in the second step of the Roadmap to Recovery. The grant is expected to benefit sole traders in many struggling industries and businesses such as media and film production, creative studios, outdoor entertainment, gyms and private galleries.
To be eligible, sole traders must also be a tenant or licensee in a commercial location or premises.
Support for hospitality businesses
The Victorian Government has announced the Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package to help hospitality businesses and councils get ready for a COVID Normal summer.
The package includes grants of up to $5000 to help hospitality businesses and venues buy equipment for outdoor service, train staff in safe practices and advertise.
Eligible businesses include licensed and unlicensed cafes, restaurants, takeaway food businesses, pubs, taverns, bars and clubs with a payroll of less than $3 million.
Help for councils to support businesses
Councils across Victoria will also be eligible for grants as part of the Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package. Councils can use this money to support our hospitality businesses as they reopen and adapt to COVID Normal operations. For example, to:
- help businesses expand their outdoor dining capabilities
- accelerate permits
- offer discounted permit fees
- improve streetscaping.
Melbourne City Recovery Fund
The $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund will work to bring life back to Melbourne's CBD when it's safe to do so. In partnership with the City of Melbourne, the fund will provide grants and funding to:
- help city businesses remodel and adapt to outdoor service
- create COVIDSafe events and cultural activities in the CBD
- improve the city streetscape.