Victorian Government assistance for exporters and businesses in response to coronavirus - (COVID-19) - Global Victoria
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Victorian Government assistance for exporters and businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) $6 billion economic survival and jobs package In this document Victorian Government assistance for exporters Victorian Government assistance for businesses Commonwealth Government assistance for exporters Commonwealth Government assistance for businesses Useful links and resources for Victorian businesses Victorian Export Recovery Package On 13 September 2020, the Victorian Government announced a $15.7 million export recovery package to address logistics and supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, and establish new export channels. Businesses will be connected to international markets through virtual trade missions as well as assistance to adapt their export strategies to respond to the rapidly changing global market. Find out more. Global Gateway The Global Gateway program will support established Victorian exporters to help them stabilise their business and adapt their export strategies in response to the challenges created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Grant applications closed on Sunday 17 January 2021 and applications are now being assessed. Find out more. Virtual Trade Missions Global Victoria is delivering a suite of Virtual Trade Missions (VTMs) in 2020/21 to connect businesses to global opportunities and help them conduct their international business across digital platforms. Find a Virtual Trade Mission to help your business go global. eCommerce program The eCommerce program will provide Victorian businesses with opportunities to increase their export potential by engaging an eCommerce platform within a designated international market and through other eCommerce channels. Businesses who have signed up to the program can access a combination of the following: promotional activities on an eCommerce platform to generate increased demand for products; market and sector insights from industry delivered through Global Victoria's Victorian eCommerce Network (VeN); digital content creation; virtual presenting and pitch training; and training on eCommerce platforms. Learn more. Circuit Breaker Action Business Support Package Business Costs Assistance Program The new $92 million Business Costs Assistance Program is part of the Victorian Government’s $143 million Circuit Breaker Action Business Support Package and will assist small businesses, including sole traders, in highly impacted sectors, such as hospitality, food wholesaling, tourism, events, and selected retail. Businesses with an annual payroll of up to $3 million, whether they have employees or not, and including sole traders, can receive grants of $2000 which will support businesses in eligible Last updated 15 March 2021
Victorian Government
assistance for exporters and
businesses in response to coronavirus
(COVID-19)
sectors who have incurred direct costs because of the circuit breaker action. Applications are open
until program funds are exhausted or 11:59 pm on 16 March 2021, whichever is earlier. Apply now.
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund – Circuit Breaker Action Payment
Eligible businesses who received a grant through the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund may receive a
further one-off payment of $3000 per eligible premises to help with costs incurred as a result of the
circuit breaker action. Businesses that receive this payment will not be eligible to receive a grant from
the Business Costs Assistance Program. You do not need to apply for this payment. Further
information.
Victorian Accommodation Support Program
The new Victorian Accommodation Support Program is an expansion of the Regional Tourism
Accommodation Support Program and includes tourist accommodation premises in Greater
Melbourne. This will support accommodation providers whose bookings were cancelled due to the
circuit breaker action to limit the spread of COVID-19. The $16.2 million Program supports tourism
accommodation providers with a grant of one of two tiers of support for those with demonstrated
booking cancellations between Friday 12 February and Wednesday 17 February 2021. Applications are
open until program funds are exhausted or 11:59 pm on 16 March 2021, whichever is earlier. Apply now.
Travel Voucher schemes
Two travel voucher schemes will encourage Victorians to travel across the state, as our tourism
industry recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 and bushfires. The schemes include:
• the allocation of 40,000 vouchers for the Melbourne Travel Voucher Scheme has now been
exhausted
• an expanded Regional Travel Voucher Scheme with an additional 10,000 vouchers to support
travel in regional Victoria opens on 30 March 2021
Business Resilience Package
Business Support Fund – Third Round
A third round of the Business Support Fund provided grants of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 (depending
on business size) to around 75,000 eligible businesses with payrolls up to $10 million. Grants from this
program helped businesses in closed, restricted or heavily restricted sectors survive the extended
period of restricted trading. Applications closed on 23 November 2020. This program was in addition to
the first round of the Business Support Fund, which closed on 1 June 2020, and the Business Support
Fund – Expansion, which closed on 14 September 2020. More information.
Sole Trader Support Fund
The $100 million Sole Trader Support Fund provided grants of up to $3,000 to eligible sole traders
working in sectors of the economy affected by restrictions, like media and film production, creative
studios, outdoor entertainment and in private museums and galleries – as well as gym owners.
Applications closed on 30 December 2020. More information.
Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund
The $251 million dedicated Licensed Venue Fund supported eligible hospitality businesses with grants
of up to $30,000 based on the location of their premises and maximum patron capacity. Applications
closed on 30 November 2020. More information.
Last updated 15 March 2021Victorian Government assistance for exporters and businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) Support for Business Chambers and Trader Groups The $5 million Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups program provides funding to Victorian business chambers and trader groups for initiatives that will help support their members as we move into recovery and COVID Normal. Grants of $10,000, $20,000 or $50,000 will be awarded to eligible groups through a competitive application process. Expressions of interest closed 12 October 2020 and eligible groups are now being invited to provide a detailed project proposal for further assessment. More information. Support for alpine businesses The $10.31 million Alpine Resorts Support Program supports businesses in the Alpine Resorts, who may not have qualified for the Commonwealth JobKeeper or Victorian Government business support packages to date, manage the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Program is being delivered through three funding streams. Stream 2 applications closed on 17 February 2021. Find out if your business is eligible. This is in addition to the Regional Tourism Accommodation Support Program which closed on 14 September 2020 and provided accommodation providers in regional Victoria affected by cancellations arising from the metropolitan local lockdown with direct financial support. Business Adaptation Package Melbourne City Recovery Fund The Victorian Government has announced a $100 million fund to reshape Melbourne’s CBD in partnership with the City of Melbourne. Small and medium businesses will be able to apply for $30 million worth of grants to help them move outdoors with COVIDSafe events. $30 million will support COVIDSafe events and cultural activities to attract visitors back to the CBD when it’s safe to do so. Another $40 million will go towards providing physical improvements to the CBD streetscape. Applications for business grants of up to $10,000 have now closed and recipients are being announced. Visit City of Melbourne website to find out more. Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package The Victorian Government provided $87.5 million for councils and businesses outside of Melbourne’s CBD to support widespread outdoor dining. Councils are eligible for up to $500,000 for metropolitan and regional councils or $250,000 for rural councils to deliver reduced or waived permit fees, or invest in new infrastructure and equipment to support outdoor dining. $58 million was provided for grants of up to $5,000 for hospitality businesses with an annual payroll of less than $3 million to help them adapt to outdoor dining. Applications closed on 11 December 2020. More information. Small Business Digital Adaptation Program The $20 million Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will allow eligible businesses to trial and receive access to digital products, tools and training to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations. Once businesses have purchased a product, they can apply for a rebate of $1,200 to access the product for 12 months. The program also offers free digital adaptation training and workshops for registered businesses. Applications for purchase rebates to cover 12 months’ product access will be open from 1 December 2020 to 11.59pm on 30 June 2021, or until funds are exhausted. Register now. Last updated 15 March 2021
Victorian Government assistance for exporters and businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) COVIDSafe Plans and adapting to COVID Normal Develop your COVIDSafe Plan and find sector guidance for your business by visiting the Business Victoria website. Further support for Click for Vic Click for Vic, a new website and campaign aimed at encouraging Victorians to buy produce, gifts and fashion from local businesses, has been boosted with $8.5 million for more marketing and advertising and the digital platform and its partnerships with third-party e-commerce providers will be expanded to sell these strengths far and wide. See how your business can get involved here. Waivers and deferrals Payroll Tax Employers with annual Victorian taxable wages up to $3 million are eligible to have their payroll tax for the 2019-20 financial year waived, giving $550 million back to businesses. Eligible employers have to lodge their annual reconciliation for the 2019-20 financial year and apply for the waiver. If payroll tax has been paid for the 2019-20 financial year, the online refund application must also be completed. Applications and refund claims must be submitted by 30 April 2021. Businesses with payrolls up to $10 million can now defer their payroll tax for the full 2020-21 financial year until the 2021-22 financial year, providing a $1.7 billion cashflow boost for businesses. Eligible employers will be entitled to a waiver of their 2020-21 and 2021-22 payroll tax after applying the New Jobs payroll tax credit against their liability for each of the financial years. The New Jobs tax credit provides eligible businesses with a tax credit of ten cents for every dollar it increases taxable Victorian wages – giving businesses the confidence they need to open their doors, hire more staff and re-emerge from the pandemic. This emergency tax relief measure will save businesses a combined $836 million over the two years. More information. Payroll tax exemption for additional payments made under the JobKeeper program For employers participating in the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper program, “additional payments” you make to employees are exempt from payroll tax. For payments to employees that have been stood down, the full $1,500 per fortnight is exempt. The additional payments are also excluded for the purposes of calculating WorkCover Premiums. More information. Liquor licence fees Renewable liquor licence fees for 2020 were waived. Businesses who have already paid will be reimbursed. Liquor licence fees for 2021 will be waived, saving businesses $27 million. More information. Stamp duty discount for commercial and industrial property in regional Victoria The 50 per cent stamp duty discount for commercial and industrial property across regional Victoria has been brought forward to 1 January 2021. More information. Landfill levy $33 million will go towards deferring the planned increase in the landfill levy. More information. Congestion levy $30 million will go towards a 25% waiver of the 2020 Congestion Levy, with the outstanding balance deferred until 31 March 2021. More information. Last updated 15 March 2021
Victorian Government assistance for exporters and businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) Land tax Landowners who have at least one non-residential property and total taxable landholdings below $1 million have the option of deferring their 2020 land tax payment until after 31 March 2021. Landlords who provide tenants impacted by COVID-19 with rent relief may be eligible for a 50% waiver on the property’s 2020 land tax and payment of the remaining tax can be deferred to 31 March 2021. Owner-occupiers of commercial properties can obtain a 25% waiver of the property’s 2020 land tax and payment of the remaining tax can be deferred to 31 March 2021 if their business meets the eligibility requirements. The closing date for 2020 land tax relief applications is 31 March 2021. The Victorian Government has announced an extension of coronavirus land tax relief to 2021 for commercial landlords. Commercial landlords who provide rent relief to eligible tenants consistent with the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme between 1 January 2021 and 28 March 2021, and eligible commercial owner-occupiers of property, who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, can receive a 25% reduction on the property's 2021 land tax and defer the remaining 2021 land tax (and any 2020 land tax which was previously deferred under this measure) until 30 November 2021. Applications for 2021 land tax relief close on 30 June 2021. The Vacant Residential Land Tax will be waived for vacancies in 2020. More information. Other support First Peoples’ COVID-19 Business Support Fund Eligible Victorian Aboriginal businesses can receive a grant of up to $10,000 per ABN to help meet business costs including rent and salaries, develop marketing activities or pivot the business offering in response to the current environment. Applications are open until 26 March 2021 or until available funds are exhausted, whichever is earlier. A full list of uses for grants and eligibility criteria are on the Business Victoria website. Support for commercial tenants and landlords The Victorian Government has introduced a Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme to alleviate the financial hardship faced by tenants and landlords as a result of COVID-19. More information. The Scheme has been extended until 28 March 2021, following the extension of the Scheme to the end of 2020 announced in August together with further support. Private landlords are being encouraged to provide rent relief or holidays to help businesses. The Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund offered grants of up to $3,000 per tenancy to eligible small private, individual and joint-owner landlords facing financial hardship after reducing rent for their tenants under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme requirements. The fund has now closed. The Victorian Government is also working directly with commercial tenants in government buildings who can apply for rent relief. Support for Victorian hospitality businesses The government has provided support for hospitality businesses through the $40 million Night-time Economy Business Support Initiative; the Hospitality Business Grant Program; and the CBD Small Hospitality Grant. Applications for these programs closed on 30 November. Learn more. Working for Victoria Fund Under the $500 million Working for Victoria Fund, displaced workers are eligible to apply for different types of work, and employers can find workers fast with the skills and experience they need. A $50- million Agriculture Workforce Plan provides targeted support for our agriculture, food processing and critical food supply chain businesses to meet their labour and operational needs during the coronavirus Last updated 15 March 2021
Victorian Government assistance for exporters and businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) (COVID-19) pandemic. The Victorian Government has also announced $2.7 billion to build the projects that matter to Victoria, ensuring local small and medium size enterprises get an opportunity to compete for large and small government contracts. All tenderers will be required to find new employees through Working for Victoria in the first instance. Apply now. Worker Support and Test Isolation Payments Worker Support Payments are now administered by the Commonwealth Government (details below). The Victorian Government is providing payments to financially support Victorian workers, including guardians and carers, while they self-isolate to wait for the results of a coronavirus (COVID-19) test. Express your interest. Business recovery and resilience mentoring The Victorian Government is partnering with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to deliver a business mentoring program to help small businesses navigate the economic challenges posed by restrictions to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Eligible business owners can receive up to four 2-hour mentoring sessions with an experienced professional who will help them make informed decisions about the future of their business. Apply now. Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Small Businesses Victorians dealing with the challenges of running a small business can get the mental health support they need to navigate through the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19). Current support under this program includes the Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline 1300 375 330 (9am to 10pm weekdays). Mental health specialists will also be embedded in industry and business associations to provide members with immediate access to expert advisors and on-the-job training for staff to identify and respond to people in distress. Roll out of these support services is expected to continue until 2022. St John Ambulance Mental Health and Crisis Support Training closed on 18 December 2020. Additional programs will be released with details available here. Experience Economy Survival Package The Victorian Government is backing Victorian sport, tourism and creative industries, with $150 million to support sporting clubs and competitions across the state – from grassroots to elite – as well as major tourist attractions, galleries and museums, and the racing industry. More information. Victorian Business Growth Fund (VBGF) The $250 million VBGF is now open to support long-term growth opportunities for businesses and boost employment and economic development across the State. Established by the Victorian Government and First State Super, the Fund will operate for 10 years and will help to address barriers faced by successful small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Roc Partners has been engaged to manage the VBGF. Express your interest through Roc Partners’ website. Dairy Farm Induction Program This program assists dairy farmers to safely, effectively and rapidly on-board new dairy farmhand workers during COVID-19 and beyond. Register your interest. For further information about the Victorian Government assistance for businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 or visit the website. Last updated 15 March 2021
Commonwealth Government assistance for exporters in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) Increase in Export Market Development Grants The Commonwealth Government has increased funding for the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG). Funding for the scheme has been increased by $49.8 million in the 2019-20 financial year, allowing exporters and tourism businesses to get additional reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing their products and services around the world. This increase supplements the additional $60 million already committed by the Government and brings EMDG funding to its highest level in more than 20 years at $207.7 million for the 2019-20 financial year. More information. The Commonwealth Government has announced that the EMDG scheme will be simplified and reoriented in 2021-22 from a scheme providing assistance through reimbursement after expenditure to an upfront grant agreement. This will give eligible exporters funding certainty before they embark on their marketing and promotion activities. In the reoriented EMDG program, multi-year grants will be available for eligible SMEs at three stages of their export journey and assistance to industry bodies and alliances will be expanded to provide help for members who are new to export to become export-ready. Current EMDG arrangements remain in place for 2020-21. More information. International Freight Assistance Mechanism On 11 March 2021, the Commonwealth Government announced it is extending the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) to the end of September 2021, giving Australian businesses reliant on airfreight extra time to adapt to the new international trade environment. This follows the Commonwealth Government’s announcement on 6 October 2020 of funding of $95 million to directly address upcoming seasonal demand and $222.1 million to extend IFAM to the middle of 2021, to help keep international supply chains open. IFAM keeps high-value, time sensitive and perishable exports and vital imports, such as medical supplies and other essential items, flowing as we continue the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It also re-establishes domestic connections for producers and growers in regional and rural areas that rely on airfreight to get their products to customers. This funding is in addition to the $241.9 million announced in July and $110 million announced in April to establish IFAM under the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund, which supports regions, communities and industry sectors disproportionately affected by COVID-19. More information. COVID-19 Export Capital Facility The Commonwealth Government has established a $500 million COVID-19 Export Capital Facility to assist previously profitable Australian exporters whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. Exporters will be able to access loans from $250,000 to $50 million under the Facility. The Facility will complement other measures announced by the Government which enable banks to support new and existing clients. Exporters should contact their banks in the first instance to determine what assistance may be available to them. For further information visit the Export Finance Australia website or call 1800 093 724. Last updated 15 March 2021
Commonwealth Government assistance for businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) $320 billion economic response package Extension to JobKeeper Payment The Government has extended the JobKeeper Payment by a further six months to 28 March 2021. Support will be targeted to businesses and not-for-profits that continue to be significantly impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). There are two payment rates depending on the number of hours an eligible employee works or an eligible business participant is actively engaged in the business. Other eligibility rules remain unchanged. Learn more about the JobKeeper Payment for employers and employees or sole traders and other entities. JobMaker Hiring Credit On 6 October 2020 as part of the 2020–21 Budget, the government announced a new incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers called the JobMaker Hiring Credit. Eligible employers can access the JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme for eligible additional employees they hire between 7 October 2020 and 6 October 2021, for a maximum claim period of 12 months from their employment commencement date. An employer cannot claim JobKeeper and JobMaker Hiring Credit at the same time. More information. Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy supports businesses and Group Training Organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support sustained economic recovery. Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the date of commencement, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. There is no cap on the number of eligible trainees/ apprentices. This assistance is in addition to the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy which has helped small and medium businesses to keep their apprentices and trainees in work and training. More information. Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2021. Medium-sized businesses are now also eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021. Any employer (including all small, medium or large businesses and Group Training Organisations) who re-engages an apprentice or trainee displaced from an eligible small or medium business may also be eligible for the subsidy. More information. Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment This payment replaces the Victorian Government’s $1500 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Support payment. It is a lump sum payment to support workers in Victoria who can't earn an income because they must self-isolate or quarantine at home, or are caring for someone with COVID-19. How to claim. Boosting cash flow for employers Through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the government provided tax-free cash flow boosts of between $20,000 and $100,000 to eligible businesses, delivered through credits in the activity statement system, when they lodged their activity statements up to the month or quarter of September 2020. More information. Last updated 15 March 2021
Commonwealth Government assistance for businesses in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) $320 billion economic response package Temporary insolvency related relief for financially distressed businesses The temporary insolvency relief, announced by the Commonwealth on 20 March 2020, expired on 31 December 2020. This temporary insolvency relief for financially distressed companies increased the threshold at which creditors could issue a statutory demand and the time companies had to respond to statutory demands. Temporary relief was also given to directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent, with respect to debts incurred in the ordinary course of the company’s business. This was followed by the commencement of the Government’s insolvency reforms to support small businesses on 1 January 2021. The changes introduce new insolvency processes suitable for small businesses by reducing the complexity, time and costs required. The changes will enable more Australian small businesses to quickly restructure in order to survive the economic impact of COVID-19. Where restructure is not possible, businesses can wind up faster, enabling greater returns for creditors and employees. More information. Supporting the flow of credit - SME Guarantee Scheme SMEs with a turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible to receive a guarantee of 50 per cent to SME lenders to support new short-term unsecured loans to be used for working capital. The Scheme will guarantee up to $40 billion of new lending. The second phase of the Scheme began on 1 October 2020 and will be available for loans made until 30 June 2021. More information. Increasing the instant asset write-off The instant asset write-off (IAWO) threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanded access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million). This applies from 12 March 2020 to 30 June 2021 providing the asset was purchased by 31 December 2020. More information. Backing Business Investment (BBI) BBI is a time limited 15-month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term by accelerating depreciation deductions. Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million can deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost. More information. Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries The Commonwealth Government is providing $1 billion to support regions, communities and industries most significantly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. More information. For further information visit the Treasury website and business.gov.au Last updated 15 March 2021
Useful links and resources for
Victorian businesses impacted
B by coronavirus (COVID-19)
b
• Austrade: receive the latest insights for exporters by visiting the Austrade website.
• Australian Industry Group: explore tools and other resources by visiting the AI Group website.
• Australian Information Industry Association: Australian Business Continuity offers tools,
information and free services for businesses to keep functioning with minimal disruption through
technology.
• Australian Taxation Office: visit the ATO website for up-to-date information and advice to
business.
• Business Victoria: find tips on how to create a continuity plan, evaluate risk and prepare a risk
management plan. Learn how to respond and recover. Book a low-cost appointment with a mentor
to help you work through or develop a recovery plan.
• City of Melbourne: for information on grants for SMEs, visit the City of Melbourne website.
• Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA): explore the latest insights and
webinars by visiting the CEDA website.
• CPA Australia: receive high-level tips, including access to Disaster Recovery Toolkits by visiting the
CPA Australia website.
• Creative Victoria: information for the creative industries is available on the Creative Victoria
website.
• Export Council of Australia: for updates on supply chains and freight and a suite of tools and
resources for exporters visit the ECA website.
• Export Finance Australia: find support and resources for exporters during the coronavirus
outbreak by visiting the Export Finance Australia website.
• Sport and Recreation Victoria: information for the sport and recreation industries is available on
the Sport and Recreation Victoria website.
• Treasury: The Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit has been established to engage with business on
a regular basis and provide updates to government on crucial issues. Visit the Treasury website to
find out more.
• Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: register for free annual membership and
access coronavirus business resources by visiting the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
website.
• Visit Victoria: information for tourism and events industries is available on the Visit Victoria
website.
• Workers in Transition: this support provides information, tools and resources to help both
business and workers through retrenchment and into new opportunities. For more information, visit
the Business Victoria website.
For further information for exporters, send us an email or call the Business Victoria hotline
on 13 22 15.
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