Victorian tradies can soon claim a one-off cash payment from the state government following a two-week shutdown of the construction sector amid protests. 

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 operate in the following local government areas:

• Metropolitan Melbourne
• The City of Greater Geelong
• Mitchell Shire
• Surf Coast Shire

Business must have incurred direct costs because of the health restrictions in place between 21 September – 4 October.

Payments of up to $8,400 will be made available to eligible businesses based on payroll size.

Cost-Assistance Cash Grants for Construction Sector

• Businesses with an annual payroll of up to $650,000: $2,000 to $2,800
• Businesses with an annual payroll of $650,000 to $3 million: $5,600
• Businesses with an annual payroll of $3-10 million: $8,400

Separately, construction workers and sole traders not registered for GST who have lost hours can apply for COVID-19 Disaster payments.

The disaster payments are set at $450 for people who have lost from eight to 20 hours work or a full day of work – over seven days – and $750 for 20 hours or more of work lost.

Applications for the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Four – Construction will open in mid-October. To be eligible, businesses must be registered under a relevant construction-sector ANZSIC codes, have a turnover of less than $10 million a year, be unable to operate remotely, have incurred direct costs due to restrictions, and be registered for GST.

Businesses must have not previously received support under the Business Costs Assistance Program or the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund.

For more information on the Business Costs Assistance program click here.