Updated: 1st June 2021.
It’s testing times currently, and, if you have a business, you may find yourself struggling to make enough money to stay afloat and pay off all those expenses. But it isn’t all bad news. As part of the economic support package, grants are available for small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organisations.
2021 offer
The Victorian Government have just introduced the “Circuit Breaker Business Support Package” which is $250 million to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders from the new restrictions announced on 27 May 2021.
This package is to support those businesses unable to operate in this current lockdown.
This includes:
- a $190.01 million second round of the Business Costs Assistance Program
- a $40.7 million new round of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund
- $20 million in targeted support for the events industry.
Grants of $2,500 are available to the sectors most impacted and are open for interest from Wednesday 2 June 2021 for three weeks.
Find out more on the business.vic.gov.au website.
2020 offer
The Victorian Government recently announced “Stage 3” restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
At the same time as announcing this, the Government acknowledged the struggle for businesses within these areas and have introduced new grants for those that are within these areas.
$5000 grants for those businesses immediately impacted for the renewed restrictions are open. The funding is to be used for the same purposes as last time including online purposes. These applications close on 20th August 2020.
Opening soon also is a separate grant with $20 million available to those in the CBD named the “CBD Business Support Fund”. The information regarding what it can be used for is unknown at this stage but they are requesting businesses register their interest now to avoid missing out. We suspect that the grants will have a similar purpose as the previous Melbourne Council grant specified on this page.
Previous on offer was:
City of Melbourne were offering $5 million in grants to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities, take part in training and professional development, and undertake capital works. State Governments, including Victoria and New South Wales, are also offering grants respectively for the same usage. This grant is now closed.
Grants Included:
- Up to $5000 for investing in online and e-commerce activities.
- Up to $2000 for training and professional development.
- Up to $10,000 for capital works projects (matching dollar-for-dollar) to adapt to changing conditions.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is testing us all – and we believe businesses need to become innovative.
How can we help?
Design Grid Digital Marketing in conjunction with Manage My Marketing are working together in these difficult times, offering support to all eligible business affected by COVID-19 by assisting with the business grant application and running the digital marketing services for each company.
Digital Marketing Services Available
- Website/App Design and Development
- SEO
- Google Ads
- Facebook & Instagram Ads
- Content Creation
- Graphic Design – Branding/Logo/Brochures
Are You Eligible?
To be eligible to apply applicants must meet the following criteria:
- be located within the City of Melbourne municipality (for the City of Melbourne) or situated in Victoria / New South Wales for the state-funded grant
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be a small to medium-sized business (employ fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees at the time of application, or up to 75 staff for hospitality and tourism sectors)
- be a small to medium-sized non-profit organisation (employ fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees at the time of application)
- able to demonstrate how the grant will help support your business or non-profit organisation in response to the impact of COVID-19.
Business Victoria Grants
Funding of $10,000 per business is available and will be allocated through a grant process.
Eligibility
Businesses are eligible to apply for a grant through the Fund if they meet the following criteria:
- Have been subject to closure; and
- Employ people; and
- Have a turnover of more than $75,000; and
- Have payroll of less than $650,000; and
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and held that ABN at 16 March 2020; and
- Have been engaged in carrying out the operation of the business in the Australian State of Victoria on 16 March 2020.
What Is The Business Support Fund For?
The Business Support Fund is for small and medium-sized companies that employ staff and are subject to closure or are profoundly impacted by the shutdown restrictions announced by the Victorian/ News South Wales Government as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
This includes businesses in the hardest-hit sectors, including:
- Accommodation and Food Services (e.g. cafes, restaurants, caterers, hotels, motels)
- Arts and Entertainment (e.g. cinemas, performing arts venues, creative spaces, performers, museums)
- Health and Beauty Services (e.g. hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists)
- Sport and recreation (e.g. gyms, swimming pools, indoor climbing, play centres)
- Tourism (e.g. tourist transport, tour operators, tour arrangement)
- Retail, other than supermarket, groceries, liquor and pharmacy businesses
- Other Services (e.g. real estate agents)
How Can The Funding Be Used?
Examples of what the grant funding could be used for include:
- Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries, rent
- Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning
- Developing the business through marketing and communications activities
- Other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.
Evidence Of Eligibility And Compliance
- Applicants must certify in writing that they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Applicants will be subject to audit by the Victorian Government or its representatives. You will be required to produce evidence, such as payroll reports to demonstrate impact, at the request of the Victorian Government for a period of four years after the grant has been approved.
- If any information in the application is found to be false or misleading, or grants are not applied for the purposes stated in the terms of funding and application, the grant will be repayable on demand.
In this current climate, we are more than comfortable working remotely and do any face to face meetings via zoom conference.
Links To Grants
City of Melbourne – Covid-19 Quick Response Business Grants
Business Victoria – Business Support Fund
NSW Government – Small Business Grant
