April 8, 2020

Tourism businesses should investigate Federal and State Government financial assistance now available in response to the Coronavirus and the Summer bushfires.

These include the Federal Government JobKeeper program supporting businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19. Businesses can access a subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight per employee for up to six months to continue to pay employees a wage so they can keep their jobs and continue to earn an income.

The JobKeeper Payment may also be available to sole traders. Click here for more information.

Click here to find out more information about your eligibility for the subsidy and to register for the JobKeeper program.

Small Business Support

In addition, businesses can apply for  State Government assistance of $10,000 towards operational costs and 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. Click here for full details.

Free VTIC Membership

The State’s peak tourism industry body, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, VTIC, in conjunction with the Victorian Chamber, is also offering support to tourism businesses in the form of free introductory membership to VTIC including an Essentials Package of free online resources and information, a full suite of communications and access to member discounts and guides until December 2020. Click here for details.

Tourism North East Workshops and Online Learning

TNE is offering a range of online learning tools and virtual workshops to keep tourism businesses abreast of current market trends, assist with evolving your operations to better meet customer demand, review your online presence, digital upskilling and other general guidance operators may need to drive long term sustainability and success.

These industry workshops are free (unless stated) and open to all tourism businesses within the TNE region. Please visit the TNE Eventbrite link regularly as new sessions will be added weekly.