Small Business Digital Adaptation Program
Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Grants
Third round of the Business Support Fund
Roadmap to Reopening: Third and last steps
Temporary Outdoor Dining Permits
COVIDSafe Plans - Templates and Resources
Develoment Programs coming to 2021

The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will allow eligible businesses to trial and then receive access to digital products, tools and training they can use to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations.

Businesses will be able to register and trial selected digital products from suppliers who have partnered with the Victorian Government, then choose one of these products to purchase.

Products currently available to businesses through this program include website, e-commerce, finance and digital business management tools. The program also offers free digital adaptation training and workshops to help registered businesses adopt and implement online tools in their business.

Before submitting an application, please check eligibility and readâ¯the program guidelines and theâ¯frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Register now!

If you own a hospitality business, you may be eligible for a $5,000 grant towards the cost of creating a safe outdoor dining space through the Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package. Grants can be used to pay for equipment, convert outdoor spaces into hospitality zones and remodel internal layouts to allow for better flow of patrons. Check eligibility before you apply.

Apply now!

Applications close 23 November.

One-off grants are still available to support eligible small and medium sized businesses in specific sectors impacted by restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The available grants are $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 depending on the businessâs annual payroll. For full details on eligibility and how to apply visit the third round of the Business Support Fund webpage.
Apply Now!

Updated restrictions applicable from 11.59pm Sunday 8 November

Restaurants, pubs and cafes can seat up to 40 customers indoors and 70 customers outdoors (restrictions apply).
Gyms and indoor fitness facilities can open with up to 20 customers (restrictions apply).
Indoor entertainment venues (cinemas, galleries, museums, etc.) can open with 20 people per space (restrictions apply).
Creative studios (venues for art and music) can have up to 10 people per space with 1.5 metres distance between patrons.
Accommodation can reopen (restrictions apply).

Sunday 22 November at 11.59pm (pending further Health Advice)

Hospitality venues will be able to seat up to 100 customers indoors and 200 outdoors.
Gyms and indoor fitness facilities will be able to have up to 100 customers and group/class size up to 20 people (restrictions apply).
Hairdressing, beauty and personal care services will be able to allow customers to remove their masks if necessary for services such as facial waxing, facials, beard trimmings, and piercings around the mouth, nose and cheeks.
Indoor seated venues (cinemas, theatres) can host a maximum of 100 people per space and up to 20 people in any group booking.
Galleries will be able to have 100 people per venue (restrictions apply).
Weddings and funerals will be able to have up to 100 members of the public in attendance (one person per 4 square metres).

For a detailed summary of the easing of restrictions and requirements click here

Council has established temporary outdoor dining permits to support the operation and hospitality businesses in a COVID safe environment.

Businesses are encouraged to read the Covid-19 Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit Guidelines before completing an application which are issued free of charge.

In some areas outdoor dining can only be accommodated by using existing car parking spaces. The temporary and short term use of some car parking for outdoor dining will help our restaurants and cafes reopen and stay viable. Theyâll also attract customers back into our centres and support surrounding businesses too. You can help by supporting the use of car parking for temporary outdoor dining.

Business Victoria have Business Grants to support outdoor dining and entertainment, and Council has developed COVID-19 temporary outdoor dining permits for hospitality venues.

For more information and to apply for an outdoor dining permit click here.

Industry Restart Guidelines
The new guidelines, which include Industry Restart Guidelines and Industry Restriction Levels, have been developed for hospitality, retail, hair and beauty businesses.

Six Principles of COVIDSafe Workplaces

Every Victorian business that is open must follow the six principles to ensure a COVIDSafe workplace.

ensure physical distancing (1.5 metres)
wear a face mask
practice good hygiene
keep good records and act quickly if staff become unwell
avoid interactions in close spaces
create workforce bubbles.

It is also mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan. High-risk industries must have a specific High Risk COVIDSafe Plan in order to operate.

Here are some useful fact sheets that provide essential information on the COVIDSafe principles:

COVIDSafe Plan template
FACT SHEET - How to create a COVIDSafe workplace
FACT SHEET - What to do if a worker is unwell
FACT SHEET - What to do if a worker test positive
COVIDSafe Stakeholder Kit

If you require hard copies of the above please contact the Economic Development team at ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Translated Fact Sheets in Vietnamese, Cantonese, Madarin, Somali, Punjabi and Arabic:

Covid19 Information Pack - Vietnamese
Covid19 Information Pack - Cantonese
Covid19 Information Pack - Mandarin
Covid19 Information Pack - Somali
Covid19 Information Pack - Punjabi
Covid19 Information Pack - Arabic
Do you need help creating a COVIDSafe Plan - Translator Service
Signage, posters and questionnaires to assist in communicating key messages to workers and customers.

For more information about these new requirements and how to make your workplace COVIDSafe, please visit the coronavirus website.

Please contact Business Victoria if you require any further assistance on 13 22 15

IGNITE Food Passions is delivered by The Business of Food. The purpose of the IGNITE program is to provide ideas and information to get your food business venture started with interactive sessions covering business operations and food regulations, as well as providing an opportunity for participants to interact and share their journey.

The Program runs over five weeks every Tuesday commencing 16 February 2021.

Apply now!

âStart, Nowâ - a new pre-accelerator program.

Itâs designed to help you turn your idea into an actual business startup.

The program will run from the 15 February to 16 April 2021, and involves individual online learning and structured group learning, peer catch-ups and mentoring.

Find out more on nowdoit.com.au

Apply now!

Are you a woman in Leadership or do you know a woman in Leadership?

The Brimbank Women in Leadership Program provides meaningful, practical and holistic business support in a way that also enhances relationships, networking and support opportunities.

The program runs for 12 weeks commencing on 9 February 2021.

Applications opening soon!

Cul-ti-vate is a Brimbank City Council initiative delivered by VU Innovations and Roshambo.

Cul-ti-vate's purpose is to accelerate the process of finding a business idea, developing it, and scaling the business into a sustainable model.

Cul-ti-vate is designed for entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs, as well as small business owners, looking to future proof their business.

The program runs over nine weeks in a fast paced mode that mirrors the speed needed to succeed in the real world.

The program will commence in April 2021.

Applications opening soon!

A range of financial support is available from the Australian and Victorian governments to help your business through coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Business Victoria Financial Support page will help you find programs and other support options available to you and your business.

For more information click here

Click for Vic encourages Victorians to get behind the tourism industry by buying local products online.

The campaign aims to connect consumers with Victorian businesses offering at-home, virtual or delivered to your door experiences and to help keep businesses operating during this unprecedented time in our history.

The Click for Vic campaign is supported through advertising across television, digital and print, and further supported through Visit Victoria's public relations, partnerships and owned social media channels.

It showcases a selection of products from chefs, artisans, makers and creators across Melbourne and Victoria. Download the industry toolkit to see how your business can get involved.

Having an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing is fundamental. Without a listing you canât be included on the Visit Victoria website, or participate in programs such as the Click for Vic campaign.

Visit Victoria have training available to help create ADTW listings. This Visit Victoria link provides more information and background

For more information on Click for Vic here

Building Resilience: How to prepare for challenges - Register here
Navigating COVID19: Keep your small business on track - Register here
Government Grants for Manufacturers - Register here
Starting your small business: how to make it happen - Register here
Business Planning Essentials - Register here
Taking your Business Online - Register here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve business success - for further information click here

Melbourne's North Food Group
Webinar - Economic Recovery: The challenges and opportunities for businesses - register here

Upskill My Business (Business Victoria)
Develop your business skills and strengthen your business - for further information click here

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A wide range of interactive online webinar seminars presented by experienced tax officers, where you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register here

Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS)
ASBAS is delivering FREE online workshops and Business Resilience programs for Victorian businesses:

Online Workshops - Register here
Business Resilience Program - Register here
Business Resilience Mentoring - Register here
Business Resilience Workshops - Register here

Business Mentoring

Council's partnership with the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) and ION Group provides businesses with vouchers to access mentoring sessions. Sessions are provided either online via Skype/Zoom or by telephone.

SBMS mentoring sessions are designed to provide operational support and identify resources for businesses in these extreme times. There are different mentoring options available, and they can be provided in languages other than English.

ION Group provides a strategic âwhole of businessâ approach to their mentoring sessions. These sessions include an opportunity to review your situation, undertake planning and business strategy, and prepare adaptation strategies for re-opening, reinventing and rebuilding your business.

For more information and a discussion about your mentoring needs, contact the Economic Development Team ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Have you responded to the Business Impact Survey?

We'd really like to hear from you to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting your business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Complete the Business Impact Survey here

Brimbank.Localised - itâs more than business to business â itâs business to people, people to business â itâs a business community â itâs letting people know where there is local expertise, local services and local opportunity.

There is no cost to sign up to Brimbank.Localised, and by signing up you will receive ongoing promotion and exposure to other Brimbank businesses, access to local supply chains and local business networks.

Brimbank.Localised is ready for Brimbank businesses to upload their profile, business information, articles and blogs - you'll just need a photo, logo, website and business details to create your profile account and get started.

Guide to getting started

Brimbank.Localised Getting Started guide (English)
Brimbank.Localised Getting Started guide (Vietnamese)

Find out more about Brimbank.Localised and upload your business profile here

Are you a local business looking for new staff and want to employ local?

There's no cost to join the Joblink community or to post your employment opportunities. Youâll also receive promotion for your business on the JobLink Facebook Page.

Check out Brimbank Joblink for more information and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook.

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

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