Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund 3
Applications are now open for the Victorian Government’s Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund 3. The program offers grants to small landlords who are doing the right thing by waiving rent for their tenants as part of the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme.
Eligible commercial landlords with total taxable landholdings under $3 million that waive rent for their tenants between 28 July 2021 and 15 January 2022 can apply for grants of up to $6000 per tenancy. In cases of acute hardship, small landlords may be eligible for grants of up to $10,000 per tenancy.
To be eligible for a grant, landlords must provide a rent waiver of at least 50 per cent to their tenants through the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, and use the grant to offset the waiver.
Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four
The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four provides payments to eligible small to medium businesses in sectors affected by the current restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. Payments of $2800, $5600 or $8400 per week will be made to recipients of the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two and the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension.
Small Business Digital Adaption Program
The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program has opened for new applications. The Victorian Government has partnered with 14 suppliers to help you build or upgrade your website, improve your cash flow, start online marketing, manage your jobs and projects, and keep better track of stock.
Here's how it works:
- take free product trials and workshops
- choose one or more of the digital products
- purchase your product and start using it
- apply for the rebate to cover up to 12 months access
- claim your $1200.
SME loan scheme expanded
The Commonwealth Government has expanded the eligibility for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.
SMEs are no longer required to have received JobKeeper during the March quarter of 2021, or to have been a flood affected business to qualify. To be eligible, SMEs must have a turnover of $250 million. Eligible SMEs will be able to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years. The closing date is 31 December 2021.
Commonwealth COVID-19 Disaster Payment
Eligible workers and individuals who are micro-businesses or sole traders, and do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs may be able to access the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment. The payment is set at $450 for people who have lost 8-20 hours of work over seven days, and $750 for 20 hours or more.
Business Victoria workshops are back
Business Victoria has launched a number of free workshops and webinars to support you and your business. Here are some of the upcoming events that you can get involved in:
- Generating cashflow (21 September)
- Strategies to Advance Your Online Business (23 September)
- Starting Your Small Business (28 September)
- Taking Your Business Online (30 September)
Creative Enterprises Program and Creative Ventures Program closing soon
The Creative Enterprises Program provides four-year funding for medium to large creative organisations and smaller organisations positioned for sustainable growth. The minimum funding request for this program is $100,000 per annum for 4 years.
The Creative Ventures Program provides two years of funding to a diverse cohort of Victorian creative entities that reflect contemporary ways of working across the creative industries. Applications will be accepted for requests from $70,000 to $100,000 per year over two years.
Applications close on 16 September 2021.
Upskill your business
Upskill My Business connects you to short courses, online events and resources from the state’s top education providers and industry experts. Gain new skills and knowledge to keep your business moving forward. Here are some helpful links to keep you moving:
- Your business and COVID-19
- Business recovery
- How to run your business from home effectively
- How to market your business
- How to manage mental health and wellbeing
Does your business use sustainable packaging?
Sustainability Victoria has announced further grants of up to $50,000 for organisations to pursue packaging waste reduction and recovery opportunities. Following a successful round one, round 2 of Investment Support Grants - Packaging (ISGP) is now open for applications, with preference for projects that create new products using packaging waste. Applications are open until 30 September 2021.
Are business support grants taxable?
Did you know that all Victorian Government business support grants received in the 2020-21 or 2021-22 financial year are tax free? A full list of eligible grants and support programs is available on the ATO website.
Each program has its own set of eligibility criteria and eligible grants.
Digital Innovation Futures Festival continues this week
The Digital Innovation Futures Victoria Festival continues with virtual events and workshops this week. There are a number of virtual events you can get involved in which will help to support your small business and spark interesting conversations. Some of the virtual events running this year include:
- Melbourne Conversations: The Digital Literacy Gap
- MAP21 Open Mic Pitch Night
- NextTech Transformation Forum
Business recovery and resilience program for your small business
The Victorian Government in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is offering free business mentoring for eligible business.
By taking part you will receive up to four, free 2-hour sessions with a mentor who can provide guidance to help you make informed decisions about the future of your business.
Virtual mentoring available through the Small Business Bus
Business Victoria’s Small Business Bus provides free virtual mentoring sessions to help you start or build your small business. Book a 45-minute session to get free and confidential advice. Set business goals, resolve financial issues, and develop your business plan with our experts.
Coronavirus support for your small business
Coronavirus.vic.gov.au has useful resources to help businesses find information and plan.
- COVID-19 exposure sites
- Financial and other support for COVID-19
- Business grants and support
- Metropolitan Melbourne and Shepparton restrictions
- Regional Victoria restrictions
- COVID-19 test isolation payment
- How far is 5km?
- COVIDSafe Plans
- Vic GOV QR code service
- Where to get tested for COVID-19
- Book your vaccination
Free help from the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline
If you run your own small business, you’re used to handling problems on your own. But you don’t have to. Get free and confidential wellbeing coaching, financial counselling and business advice for you and your employees. Call the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline on 1300 375 330 for assistance between 9am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends. A live chat function is also available on the website.
Network with Victorian business owners
Looking for a place to network with other Victorian small business owners while you work virtually? Join our Facebook Group, I am a small business owner in Victoria, Australia and connect with over 25,000 members of Victoria's small business community.
