Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, businesses must:
- be located within Victoria
- as a direct consequence of COVID-19 restrictions since 27 May 2021 have experienced a reduction in turnover of at least 70% for a minimum consecutive two-week period comparable to a benchmark period in 2019
- have an annual Victorian payroll of up to $10 million in 2019-20 on an ungrouped basis
- have been registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 28 July 2021
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 28 July 2021
- be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator.
Employing businesses must also:
- be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
- attest that the business is supporting its workers to access any paid leave entitlements, or that if a person can work from home, to work from home during the COVID-19 restrictions, and supporting their casual workers, where possible.
Businesses that have received funding under any of the Victorian Government COVID-19 support packages launched on or after 27 May 2021 are not eligible for a grant under this program. The previous support packages include:
- Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two
- Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two Extension
- Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
- Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 – July Extension
- Alpine Resorts Support Program
- Victorian Events Support Package, comprising of:
- Sustainable Events Business Program
- Impacted Public Events Support Program
- Independent Cinema Support Program
- Live Performance Support Program (Presenters)
- Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers)
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible businesses must demonstrate a reduction in turnover of at least 70% for a minimum consecutive two-week period since 27 May 2021 as a direct consequence of COVID-19 restrictions, comparable to a benchmark period in 2019.
Businesses should compare their best consecutive two-week trading period between 27 May and 10 September 2019, with their worst consecutive two-week trading period between 27 May and 10 September 2021.
If your business was not trading in 2019, to show your business experienced a reduction in turnover of 70% or more over a consecutive two-week period since 27 May 2021, you can compare to a two-week period between 1 February 2021 and 28 July 2021.
How do I apply?
You can choose to apply for this program in one of two ways:
- You can apply directly as a business owner and have the application verified by a qualified agent (qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent). In order to do this, we will need the dates and GST turnover amounts for the “Impacted” two-week period between 27 May 2021 – 10 September 2021 & the “Benchmark” two-week period. Please fill out this information on the attached letter and send this direct to us, allowing us to review and sign off the declaration and send back to you for lodgement with your application which is to be done online at Small Business COVID Hardship Fund | Business Victoria. Please note our standard fee is $550
- A qualified agent (qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent) can apply on your behalf and verify the 70% drop in business turnover as part of the application. The qualified agent as part of this process needs to confirm that they are authorised to apply on your behalf. We (Dalal Accountants) can apply on your behalf and if you would like us to do so then please let us know. Please note our standard fee is $550. If you want to engage us to do this work then we will need you to supply the dates and GST turnover amounts for the “Impacted” two-week period between 27 May 2021 – 10 September 2021 & also the “Benchmark” two-week period. Can you please fill out this information on the attached letter and send this direct to us.
For further information and FAQ’s from the Victorian Government website please find the links below:
