In recognition of the restrictions placed on Victorian businesses there is a range of Victorian Government support programs available for some of our employers in the hospitality sector who may be eligible. Upon review, there are now three programs open and taking grant applications.
Hospitality Business Grant Program
Businesses with annual payrolls between $3M and $10M qualify for this grant. Furthermore, companies will also receive $5,000 for each additional premises, capped at $20,000. They must also be businesses who do not qualify for the Business Support Fund – Expansion grant or the CBD Small Hospitality Grant stream, who operate a hospitality-related business, and who have been impacted by Stage 3 and Stage 4 lockdowns.
There will also be a further $20,000 for eligible businesses operating in the Central Business District (CBD) given the large and sustained shock that they have experienced to their trading environment.
Eligible CBD postcodes include:
– 3000 (Melbourne)
– 3005 (World Trade Centre)
– 3006 (Southbank)
– 3008 (Docklands).
CBD Small Hospitality Grant
This grant is available to businesses located in Melbourne CBD, Southbank and Docklands that are hospitality-related and has a seating capacity of 11 or more seats. The grant consists of $5,000 for businesses with seating capacities of between 11 – 100 seats, or $15,000 for businesses with 101+ seats. Applications for this grant are now open.
The $10 million CBD Small Hospitality Grant also provides support for CBD businesses that have previously received a grant from the Business Support Fund – Expansion program.
The Business Support Fund – Expansion grant
Eligible businesses can access up to $10,000, but to be eligible, you must be located in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. A grant of $5,000 is available for all other businesses located in Victoria.
Applications remain open until 14 September 2020.
Night-time Economy Business Support Initiative
This grant is available for licensed venues with an annual turnover of $50 million or more. They must also not be eligible for the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme.
Under this initiative, business groups that have attempted to negotiate with their landlord in good faith but have not been able to reach agreement may also be eligible for commercial rent hardship payments of up to $150,000.
Eligible businesses can receive up to $20,000 per group for expenses incurred in obtaining specialist business and tenancy advice between 29 March 2020 and 1 June 2020.
How we can help?
Our parent company, Australia Migration Services, is a well-established migration firm that handles all visa/migration related matters and has processed numerous employer-sponsored visas, helping both candidates and employers reach a common ground.
For the past decade, we have helped numerous employers sponsor skilled candidates and still continue to do so amid the COVID pandemic.
If you are wanting to seek more information on how to sponsor a candidate, speak to one of our MARA registered migration consultants.