Job Keeper Payment:  
Eligible businesses affected by the Coronavirus can apply for funding to cover most of the costs of their employees' wages, so that employers can retain their staff.  Eligible employers can claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee for up to 6 months.
Your business will likely be eligible if your turnover is expected to have decreased by 30% or more to a comparable period a year ago of at least a month.

How to apply:  Register your details via the ATO website.

more information?: JOB KEEPER FACT SHEET

Boosting Cash Flow for Businesses:
between $20,000 and $100,000 is available to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not-for profits (including charities) that employ people so they can continue to operate, pay staff and cover bills.

How to apply: Delivered by the ATO automatically as a credit in the activity statement system from April 2020 upon employers lodging eligible upcoming activity statements.

more information: BOOSTING CASH FLOW FACT SHEET 

Increasing the Instant asset write-off:
The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000.

more information: ASSET WRITE OFF FACT SHEET

Backing Business Investment:
A 15 month investment incentive to support business investment.  Eligible businesses will be able to deduct 50% of the cost of an eligible asset on installation.

more information?: BACKING BUSINESS INVESTMENT FACT SHEET

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees:
Employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of the apprentice's or trainee's wage for 9 months from 1 January 2020 - 30 September 2020.  A maximum reimbursement of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee.

more information?: SUPPORTING APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES FACT SHEET

Temporary relief for Financially Distressed Businesses:
The threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to demands they receive have been extended.

more information?: TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR FINANCIALLY DISTRESSED BUSINESSES FACT SHEET

Visit the treasury website for more full summaries of business support

Economic Survival Package to Support Businesses & Jobs

Business Support Fund
The $500 million Business Support Fund helps small businesses highly impacted by shutdown restrictions.  Businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant towards operational costs to help keep people in work.

To be eligible, businesses must already employ staff, have payroll of less than $650,000 and a turnover of more than $75,000.

more information?:  Business Support Fund Online Application

Payroll Tax Refund
Businesses with annual taxable wages up to $3 million will have their payroll tax for the 2019-20 financial year waived.  Eligible businesses will be contacted directly by the State Revenue Office.

Liquor License Fees Waived:
Renewable liquor license fees for 2020 will be waived.  Businesses who have already paid will be reimbursed.

Full details on the Victorian government business support package are available on the Business Victoria website

Venture Melton Business Network - FREE Membership until July 2021

The Venture Melton Business Network (VMBN) has more than 300 members, and delivers high quality networking and business development events and activities.

The recently launched VMBN online platform is a free online gateway to connect members with one-on-one mentoring and business training webinars.  Check-out the website for upcoming events and a directory of other local businesses involved in the network:  

vmbusinessnetwork.com

Council is offering free membership until 30 June 2021.  Member offerings include:

·         VIP Membership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce (VCCI): 50% discount on the 'COMPLETE' package - a saving of $600

·         Business Mentoring:  Free one-on-one mentoring

·         Venture Melton Business Network Portal:  24/7 access to information, online webinars, mentoring and business support

·         More to be announced

Sign-up for FREE VMBN membership offer

Council Rates
If you are facing financial hardship due to Coronaviris, you can apply to Council to have the rate payments deferred until June 30 without penalty interest. If you are a tenant, discuss your situation with your landlord.  To contact Council about rates send an email to: revenue@melton.vic.gov.au
In the email include the following information:
•    Name
•    Assessment No
•    Details of your change in circumstances
•    Other information you feel relevant to your application
•    Attach any documentation you can provide to substantiate these circumstances 

For updates on current health advice visit the Department of Health & Human Services website.

Coronavirus Hotline
If you suspect you may have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) call the dedicated hotline – open 24 hours, 7 days.

1800 675 398 - Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Mental Health and Well Being.

Beyond Blue has an an 'Impacts on My Work' page which provides advice and guidance on how to help people.  Beyond Blue's hotline number is:  1800 512 348

Lifeline  has online resources and is available to offer support and listen to you.  The  hotline phone number is:  13 11 14