Victorian business support and worker payments bolstered

FURTHER support is available for Victorian businesses struggling through the latest lockdown, industry support minister Martin Pakula announced on Wednesday.

A $282.5 million funding injection means 90,000 businesses and sole traders will now share in up to $484.3 million worth of support to help them through the current lockdown.

Under the new funding, eligible Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund recipients will receive $4200, taking their total payment to $7200, while Business Costs Assistance Program recipients will receive $2800, increasing the total grant to $4800.

Businesses that had previously chosen not to apply for support can apply for the new support payments.

“We’re making sure the businesses most affected by the lockdown have a chance to emerge from it in decent shape, so they can continue to play their vital role as employers and drivers of Victoria’s economy,” Mr Pakula said.

Additionally, funding of up to $25,000 will be available for public events organisers, $10,000 for event suppliers, and up to $7000 for live performers missing out on work.

Sporting clubs also get a shot at pulling back some lost money, with $2000 grants for cancelled or postponed community sport and recreation events up for grabs.

“Local clubs rely on annual and one-off events to fund their everyday operations, which benefits players, supporters and the wider community,” Community Sport Minister Ros Spence said.

“We’re proud to be backing these important organisations in tough times.”

The extra funding was announced on Wednesday, following the extension of Victoria’s lockdown for another seven days.

It is in addition to support for employees who have lost work due to the lockdown of up to $600 a week under the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

Digital Editions


  • Four proposals for Gol Gol recognition

    Four proposals for Gol Gol recognition

    WENTWORTH Shire Council will this week consider a motion to recognise prominent figures in the Gol Gol area with new signs and displays. The motion…

More News

  • Low-sensory centres for accessible voting

    Low-sensory centres for accessible voting

    VOTING at the next Victorian State Election could be more accessible for people who face barriers at traditional polling places with the rollout of low-sensory mobile voting centres. Low‑sensory voting…

  • Doctor starts a new chapter

    Doctor starts a new chapter

    SUNRAYSIA Medical Centre in Red Cliffs has a new general practitioner. Dr Muhammad Ayubi, who studied and worked in Glasgow, Scotland, arrived here with his wife in January, and said…

  • Communities encouraged to speak up

    Communities encouraged to speak up

    VICTORIAN Farmers Federation is calling on regional community members to make submissions to the Murray Darling Basin Plan Review. Consultation for the 2026 review opened on 5 February, inviting stakeholders…

  • Guilty plea assault de facto partner

    Guilty plea assault de facto partner

    A MAN has pleaded guilty to punching his de facto partner following a verbal argument, a little over two weeks after he had been released from a short stint in…

  • Regis residents set for glamour portraits

    Regis residents set for glamour portraits

    REGIS Aged Care will soon be the scene of glamorous Mother’s Day photo shoots that aim to highlight the residents’ glowing personalities on camera. The glamour photo shoot will be…

  • Police locate missing hiker

    Police locate missing hiker

    POLICE have located a man safe and well after he became lost while hiking in the Murray-Sunset National Park. Hiker Andy was last seen leaving the camping area by himself…

  • Farrer race apporaches

    Farrer race apporaches

    NINE candidates are in the race for Farrer as the upcoming by-election draws near. Submissions to enter the race officially closed at 12pm yesterday with the final list being declared…

  • Jilliby Nitro powers to Cup glory

    Jilliby Nitro powers to Cup glory

    REJUVENATED country cups campaigner Jilliby Nitro has continued his remarkable run, storming home to win Saturday night’s $40,000 CA Fitness Mildura Pacing Cup and capping off a huge weekend for…

  • Jail for trespass and police assault

    Jail for trespass and police assault

    A MAN has been jailed for four months for trespassing and assaulting police officers. The Mildura Magistrates’ Court heard Sam Noun had been on bail when he loitered around Mildura’s…

  • ‘Delusional’ man likely to face ‘significant’ jail term

    ‘Delusional’ man likely to face ‘significant’ jail term

    A MILDURA man who had delusional beliefs random women were in love with him is likely to face a “significant jail sentence” when the matter returns in May following an…