Source: Business Victoria
Overview
The Victorian Government’s Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction provides one-off payments to eligible employing and non-employing businesses in the construction sector that were operating in the following local government areas at the time of the restrictions:
Metropolitan Melbourne
The City of Greater Geelong
Mitchell Shire
Surf Coast Shire
Businesses must have incurred direct costs because of the construction shutdown due to the COVID-19 restrictions in effect from 21 September to 4 October 2021, that have not been and will not be partially or fully recovered or otherwise reimbursed. Payments of up to $8400 will be made available to eligible businesses based on payroll size.
Grant amounts
The grant amount payable to an eligible business is determined by its payroll size:
$2000 for non-employing businesses
$2800 for employing businesses with annual payroll below $650,000
$5600 for employing businesses with an annual payroll between $650,000 and less than $3 million
$8400 for employing businesses with an annual payroll between $3 million and $10 million.
Eligibility criteria
hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 24 September 2021
be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator
be located within Victoria
be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 24 September 2021
have an annual Victorian payroll of up to $10 million in 2019-20 on an ungrouped basis
operate in an eligible sector listed in the list of eligible ANZSIC classes for this program
have been contracted (prior to the restriction period being announced) to undertake, or supply workers to undertake, work at a construction worksite that was shut down due to the COVID-19 restrictions announced 20 September 2021 in one of the following areas:
Local Government Areas (LGAs) in metropolitan Melbourne
City of Greater Geelong
Mitchell Shire, and
Surf Coast Shire
have incurred direct costs because of the restrictions in effect from 21 September to 4 October 2021 and cannot and were not able to operate remotely.
Employing businesses must also:
be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
attest that the business is supporting its workers to access any paid leave entitlements during the construction sector shutdown, and supported their causal workers, where possible.
Non-employing businesses:
the business owner must hold a WorkSafe Construction Induction Training Card (white card or ‘ticket’) or interstate equivalent issued by a comparable governing authority in another Australian state or territory.
Other eligibility conditions
Businesses undertaking construction work at Fully Exempt State Critical Infrastructure Project worksites are not eligible for a grant.
Businesses undertaking exempt construction work at shutdown constructions sites are not eligible for a grant.
Businesses will not be eligible to receive a Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction grant if they have received support under any of the following programs:
Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two
Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension
Small Business COVID Hardship Fund.
If an eligible business has previously applied for support under programs listed above and has not received an outcome on assessment, it will be eligible for the grant that provides the higher amount should the business be assessed as being eligible for more than one.
Businesses, sole traders and individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria and who have lost hours or income may be eligible for financial support through the Commonwealth Government’s COVID 19 Disaster Payment. Please note the payment may not be available when the 80% vaccination target is reached, based on Commonwealth Government policy.
How to apply
The program will remain open until 11:59pm on 9 November 2021 or when funds are exhausted, whichever is sooner.
Check your details on the Australian Business Register website are correct prior to submitting an application. This includes ensuring the industry classification (ANZSIC class) linked to your ABN registration correctly captures the business’ primary business activity. Complete all questions in the application form and submit it, so we can assess your application as quickly as possible. You must certify that your business meets all eligibility criteria. The Victorian Government or our representatives may audit your application so you will need to produce evidence at the request of the Victorian Government. If any information in your application is false or misleading, you may be asked to repay the grant.
Comments