As COVID19 hits businesses around Victoria, the state government has offered many new business grants for restimulating the economy.

One of the grants is the Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package. If eligible, businesses will be awarded $5000. This fund can be used on equipment to facilitate a safe outdoor dining area. In essence, an awning can be installed onto a wall of an underutilised outdoor area, converting the space to a cute cafe seating arrangement. This grant is applicable for any hospitality businesses in Victoria excluding the City of Melbourne.

Another grant included is the Small Business Reactivation Grant offering eligible businesses up to $10,000 of entitlement. All small to medium business owners with a physical tenancy in the City of Melbourne can apply for this to fund an outdoor area, a great opportunity to get a retractable fabric roof system installed on your rooftop to achieve that highly desired and recognized Melbourne Rooftop Bar functionality

Applications for the Small Business Reactivation Grant closes very soon on 23/10/20.

Please contact a tax accountant for independent advice on eligibility and all the other relevant items.

Below you will find 4 grants that are currently being awarded.

1 – Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package

Entitlement: $5,000.00
Starts: 28/09/2020
Closes: 11/12/2020 or until funds are exhausted
Suitable for: Hospitality Venues
Annual Payroll Criteria: Annual Payroll < $3 Million for the period of 2019 – 2020
Location: Victoria exc City of Melbourne

The grant funds can be used by businesses for expenses directly related to safe outdoor dining including, but not limited to:

  • Equipment to enable outdoor dining,
  • New and/or replacement tables and chairs,
  • Safety barriers and screens,
  • Outdoor umbrellas,
  • Advertising hoardings and A-frames,
  • Digital technology to support COVID Safe operations,
  • Minor electrical upgrades (for example, installation of outdoor powerpoints),
  • Installation of outdoor lighting,
  • Minor works such as improving access to an outdoor seating area or installing in-ground sleeves to lockdown/secure barriers, umbrellas and advertising hoardings,
  • Costs associated with obtaining necessary permits and licences for outdoor dining,
  • Costs associated with obtaining or extending insurances to enable outdoor dining,
  • Training of owners and staff to adapt to COVID-19 operating environment,
  • Marketing to promote outdoor dining.

For the full eligibility criteria visit https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-resilience-package/outdoor-eating-and-entertainment-package

2 – COVID-19 Business Grant / Small Business Reactivation

Entitlement: Up to $10,000.00
Starts: 01/10/2020
Closes: 23/10/2020
Suitable for: Hospitality businesses and Small to Medium Businesses in any industry
Location: City of Melbourne

The grand funds can be used by:

  1. Hospitality businesses to support temporary outdoor dining and reopening.
  2. Small and medium-sized businesses in any industry for:
    • Temporary outdoor trading activities, including outdoor dining,
    • COVID-safe remodelling and conversions,
    • COVID-safe equipment and infrastructure,
    • Staff training and development activities to adapt to a COVID-19 operating environment
      marketing and promotion.

For the full eligibility criteria visit https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/business/grants-tenders/covid-19-business-grants/Pages/covid-19-business-grants.aspx

3 – Free Extended Outdoor Dining Permit

Starts: 01/10/2020
Suitable for: Hospitality Venues
Location: City of Melbourne

The outdoor dining program will provide temporary permits for eligible venues to:

  • Expand onto footpaths,
  • Take over on-street car parking space immediately outside their business,
  • Join with neighbouring businesses to take over sections of on-street car parking, footpaths and (in some cases) street space,
  • Join with neighbouring businesses to expand into a laneway adjacent to their business.

Once a permit is issued, businesses can apply for a fast-tracked temporary liquor license.

For the full eligibility criteria visit https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/Pages/Free-extended-outdoor-dining-permits.aspx

4 – Hospitality Business Grant Program

Entitlement

  • $25,000 (excluding GST),
  • an extra $5,000 for each additional premises located within Victoria (capped at $20,000),
  • an extra $20,000 for businesses operating premises in the CBD.

Starts: Open until funds are exhausted
Suitable for: Medium to Large Hospitality
Annual Payroll Criteria: $3 Million < Annual Payroll < $10 Million for period of 2019 – 2020
Location: All Victoria

Examples of what the grant funds may be used include:

  • Meeting business costs, including utilities, salaries or rent,
  • Seeking financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning,
  • Developing the business through marketing and communications activities,
  • Any other supporting activities related to the operation of the business.

For the full eligibility criteria visit https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-package/hospitality-business-grant-program

At Palmiye Australia, we offer a variety of outdoor protection solutions that can help your business take advantage of having a weather-proof outdoor operation. Don’t let Melbourne’s ever-changing weather conditions let your patrons down. Take advantage of this opportunity, expand your current space and be ready for the new normal!