The small business grants still available in NSW and Victoria

State governments may have wound back COVID-19 emergency support now that restrictions have eased, but there’s still a range of targeted grants available to small businesses.

In Victoria and New South Wales, there are cash grants to help businesses cover the cost of setting up outdoor dining spaces, paying for staff wages and even EV charging stations.

Here are the grants available to businesses in NSW and Victoria.

NSW

Dine & Discover vouchers

Hospitality, arts and entertainment businesses can still register for the Dine & Discover voucher program which will run until June next year.

Businesses can register online to allow NSW residents to redeem some of the six $25 vouchers worth $150 in total in their business.

Eligible activities include buying dining in and takeaway meals, entrance into events or attractions as well as cinemas.

Alfresco restart rebate 

Small and medium food and beverage businesses can apply for a rebate of $5000, if they invest in outdoor dining equipment between October 14, 2021 and April 30, 2022.

Businesses can apply for the rebate online before April 30, 2022. The funding is handed out on a first in, first served basis, meaning only the first 5000 eligible businesses that apply will receive the rebate.

Fees and charges rebate  

Small businesses, sole traders and not-for-profit organisations can apply for a rebate of $2000 to help pay for government fees and charges

The rebate, which is available online until June 30, 2022, can be used to cover the cost of road tolls, liquor licences, tradesperson licences, outdoor seating fees, council rates, food authority licences and event fees. 

Export assistance grants 

Businesses in NSW affected by COVID-19, bushfires or drought can apply for an export assistance grant of up to $10,000 to help cover the cost of exporting to new or old global markets.

Under the grant program, businesses can receive a 50% reimbursement of up to $10,000 on certain export-related expenses, such as marketing and e-commerce that they have paid since January 1, 2020. 

Online applications will remain open until June 30, 2022 or until available funding has run out.

Stay NSW Vouchers 

To encourage residents to book a trip in their state, the NSW government will offer $50 vouchers to residents to use towards the cost of accommodation bookings.

The scheme was piloted in the City of Sydney and is expected to launch state-wide in March.

Businesses wanting to participate in the scheme must register online to accept the vouchers in January.

Victoria

Jobs Plus program 

Victorian businesses can apply for wage subsidies of up to $20,000 to help cover the cost of employing a new staff member for 12 months.

To be eligible, businesses must hire someone from a priority group for at least 19 hours a week. Priority groups include people who have been most affected by the pandemic, such as women aged 45 years and older, jobseekers and newly arrived migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Businesses can apply online at Business Victoria’s website.

Funding for businesses setting up EV fleets  

Victorian businesses can apply for up to $1.5 million in grants under the EV Charging for Business Fleets (EVCBF) program.

To be eligible, businesses must employ fewer than 20 people, and provide evidence that they are investing in EV initiatives, such as transitioning an existing fleet to EVs, buying chargers and installing chargers on their worksite.

Applications are currently open online and will close February 4, 2022. 

Regional tourism project grants

The Regional Tourism Investment Fund (Competitive Round) offers eligible businesses up to $10 million per project.

To apply, businesses must detail the support for new and innovative tourism projects they would use the funding for. Applications are currently open and close January 7, 2022.

Small business energy saver

The small business energy saver program gives businesses with one to 19 staff discounts on the cost of energy efficient equipment.

While the exact amount of funding businesses can receive varies, businesses receive an average of $2000 in discounts as part of this $5 million program.

Applications are open online at Business Victoria and will close May 31, 2022.