Victorian Lockdown 4.0! Assistance packages

Government Assistance Measures
In the light of the latest lockdown imposed on Victorians, both Federal and State Governments have announced financial assistance to those affected by these restrictions.
Federal Government assistance for Casual Employees announced 3 June 2021
The Government has announced financial support for Victorians who ordinarily work 20 hours or more per week.
The federal government will be enacting a temporary COVID disaster payment, which will see Victorians pocket up to $500 per week.
There will be a payment of $500 for those who would ordinarily work 20 hours or more a week. $325 for those who would work under 20 hours a week.
In order to be eligible for the payment, the person has to reside or work in a Commonwealth defined hot spot and must be unable to attend work due to the COVID restrictions.
To be eligible :
  • You must be older than 17

  • a permanent resident or on a workers visa.

  • You can’ t be receiving another form of income or pandemic support

  • You must have liquid assets of less than $10,000.(cash or cash at bank)

This system of support is expected to form a new part of the government’s national framework for circumstances where there are lockdowns imposed by state, public or health orders.
“Those arrangements will provide support for periods of time where the lockdown has been greater than seven days.
“So the first seven days, they are matters entirely for state and territory governments, as they wish to provide support,” Mr Morrison said.
Assistance will be delivered via Centrelink, so those affected are suggested to visit the website:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/news/how-access-and-claim-payments-and-services-victoria
We are told that their systems will be in place by Tuesday 8 June 2021.

State Government assistance packages for Businesses announced 2 June 2021
The Victorian Government has launched the $250.7 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders, under the circuit breaker restrictions announced on 27 May 2021.
The package will support businesses unable to operate due to these necessary public health measures, including targeted support for the events industry.
With safety nets such as JobKeeper no longer available, this package hopes to provide support to businesses affected by the lockdown.
The package includes:

a $190.01 million second round of the Business Costs Assistance Program
a $40.7 million new round of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund
$20 million in targeted support for the events industry.

Building on the $250.7 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package announced Sunday 30 May, a new allocation of up to $209.3 million will flow to small and medium-sized businesses, including sole traders, increasing the total support package to $460 million.
The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two grants for eligible businesses located in metropolitan Melbourne will be doubled from $2,500 to $5,000.
Regional businesses unable to open due to the ongoing restrictions, such as nightclubs and amusement parks, will also be eligible for the extended payment.
Metropolitan businesses that will have restrictions eased from Friday 3 June 2021 will not be eligible for the extended payment.
The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 grants for businesses in metropolitan Melbourne with eligible liquor licences and food certificates will be doubled from $3,500 to $7,000.
Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two
The program provides $2,500 and $5,000 grants for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in sectors most impacted. This includes businesses operating in an industry that cannot operate under the circuit breaker restrictions and which cannot work remotely.
The program will open for applications on Thursday 3 June 2021 and will remain open for applications for three weeks.
More information is available on the website:

https://business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1996431/Business-Costs-Assistance-Program-Round-Two-guidelines.pdf
This contains the guidelines and is very similar to the earlier ( Round One) grants that were handed out during the lockdown of last year.

Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021
The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 program provides businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3,500 or $7,000 grant per premises.
Victorian Events Support Package
The $20 million package dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions.