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The State Government will provide up to $3000 to businesses to support economic recovery following a five-day COVID-19 lockdown.

The government has launched Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 and round two of Business Costs Assistance Program, with payments of $3000 and $2000 respectively, in response to the snap lockdown period starting on Friday.   

Up to 90,000 businesses that have or will receive payments through the first round of these programs following a May-June lockdown, are eligible for the new support payments. 

Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will make automatic payments to eligible businesses and sole traders across the state. 

The department is working with 22,000 round-one Business Costs Assistance Program applicants to finalise applications where information had been missing or further detail was requested to confirm eligibility.

Member for Western Victoria and Small Business Minister Jaala Pulford said businesses were the backbone of the state’s economy and support would ensure business owners could weather the lockdown challenge and recover. 

“Victoria’s small businesses have been important players in this fight for 18 months, and they continue to do the right thing to protect the community,” she said. 

“We know it’s really hard and we thank each and every one of them.”  

Eligible businesses include restaurants, cafes bars, event suppliers, tourism and accommodation providers and non-essential retailers.

The government has also reached an agreement with the Federal Government to provide income support payments from day one of the lockdown. There is no liquid assets test applied to receive these payments.

Payments of $600 will be made to Victorians who lose 20 hours or more of work during the period of the lockdown and $375 will be made to individuals who lose between eight and 20 hours. 

All applications can be made through Services Australia at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Ms Pulford said the government expected thousands of applicants would be successful and paid at the end of next week.

People can visit business.vic.gov.au for more information about available business support.