Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grants Victoria

This program aims to support eligible Victorian small businesses and non-profit organisations (NPOs) affected by the 2019-20 bushfire disaster events. It is provided under agreements between the Commonwealth and relevant State Government of Victoria.

The program forms part of the Australian Government's Emergency Bushfire Response for Small Business and Non-Profit Organisations Grants, intended to help pay for costs of clean-up and reinstatement of eligible small businesses that have suffered direct damage as a result of bushfires.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available. Multiple applications can be made up to the maximum amount available.

Eligible applicants include:
1. Small business owners who must:
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the eligible disaster.
- Own a small business located in a defined disaster area that has suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster.
- Have been engaged in carrying on the small business when affected by the eligible disaster.
- Be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application.
- Be intending to re-establish the small business in the defined disaster area.

2. Non-profit organisations that must be:
- Registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) or an equivalent State regulatory body and have held that registration at the time of the eligible disaster.
- Located in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster and that has suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster.
- Primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application.
- Intending to re-establish the non-profit organisation in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements and the list of eligible affected local government areas.

Eligible expenditure include:
- Engagement of tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises, or equipment.
- Purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials to clean a property, premises, or equipment.
- Purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials that are essential for immediately resuming operation.
- Employing a person to clean a property, premises or equipment if:
a) The cost would not ordinarily have been incurred in the absence of the eligible disaster.
b) The cost exceeds the costs of employing a person to clean the property, premises or equipment that would ordinarily have been incurred in the absence of the eligible disaster.
- Removing and disposing of debris or damaged materials.
- Removing and disposing of spoiled goods and stock due to power outage.
- Repairing a building, or repairing or replacing fittings in a building, if the repair or replacement is essential for resuming operation.
- Any of the following:
a) Replacing lost or damaged stock if the replacement is essential for immediately resuming operation.
b) Leasing temporary premises for the purpose of resuming operation.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Repairs to a building that the applicant lets to a person for residential or commercial purposes, unless the applicant lets the property in the course of operating the non-profit organisation.
- If they are entitled to receive or has received an amount under a policy of insurance for the relevant costs claimed.
- Any expenses that are claimable under the small business owner insurance policy.
- If successfully received funding or assistance from any other government source or program or donation in relation to the non-profit organisation where that funding or assistance has met relevant costs claimed.
- For loss of income as a result of the eligible disaster.