Coronavirus (COVID-19)

All Victorian businesses are required to have a COVIDSafe Plan in place.

To ensure compliance, random spot checks are underway in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Your COVIDSafe Plan must demonstrate:

• your actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) to your workplace
• the type of face mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
• how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
• how you will meet all the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees.

Businesses must review and update their COVIDSafe Plans regularly, especially when restrictions or public health advice change. Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.

You stay up to date with restrictions and public health advice.

The Victorian Government is investing more than $3 billion to help businesses impacted by ongoing restrictions and prepare for COVID Normal business.

Information about grants and support are listed below. Visit the Business Victoria website for more details or the ‘Business grants and support’ page.

Seasonal Workers Support Package

The $17 million Seasonal Workforce Support Package is helping address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Agriculture  Workforce Plan grants are available to help with worker relocation, induction and training and business adaption.

There are also tens of thousands of jobseekers ready to work on the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria platform. If you are a farmer or other employer in the agriculture sector, register your workforce needs now on the Working for Victoria platform.

Information and details on how to register for seasonal workforce support  is available via Agriculture Victoria's Workforce support.

Support for business and industry

The Victorian Government is investing more than $3 billion to help businesses impacted by ongoing restrictions and prepare for COVID Normal business.

$3 billion in cash grants, tax relief and cashflow support will be delivered to Victorian businesses that have been most affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

This investment includes a $15.7 million export recovery package that will address logistics and supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, and establish new export channels. Businesses will be connected to international markets through virtual trade missions as well as assistance to adapt their export strategies to respond to the rapidly changing global market

Visit the Business Victoria website for more details.

Tax relief

As part of the $3 billion Business Resilience Package, businesses with annual taxable wages up to $3 million will have their payroll tax for the 2019–20 financial year waived.

The State Revenue Office will also directly contact eligible businesses to reimburse them for payroll tax already paid in the financial year. These businesses can also defer paying payroll tax for the first quarter of the 2020 — 21 financial year.

Business Support Fund

The Victorian Government recently announced a third round of the Business Support Fund – ensuring businesses impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions continue to receive the support they need to make it through restricted trading.

Through this third round of the Business Support Fund, eligible businesses will receive grants of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 depending on the business’ annual payroll.

For more information about this program businesses can call Business Victoria’s dedicated hotline 13 22 15 or visit the Business Victoria website, which is regularly updated with the latest information.

Isolation payments for workers

The Victorian Government is providing a $450 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment to support Victorian workers, including parents and guardians, who are required to self-isolate while you wait for the results of your coronavirus (COVID-19) test.

For details visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Commonwealth Government support

The Australian Government has released its economic plan to support people and businesses. Find out about the JobKeeper payment or  visit Services Australia and the Australian Taxation Office for more information.

Agriculture Victoria remains available to assist Victorian farmers. We want to reassure farmers that we will continue to provide support services to you and your farming business.

Some Victorian Government office receptions across the state are currently closed so you may need to contact us in different ways.

Farmers can call us to access information tailored specifically to their needs on a range of topics including:

• feed planning and pasture recovery
• supplying feed and water to livestock
• land and farm water management
• general technical information
• other assistance available and grants programs.

You can call us on 136 186 for a range of information including how best to contact us or visit the website anytime at agriculture.vic.gov.au

Visit the Department of Health and Humans Services website for the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) advice.

If you are diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) you must follow the directions given to you by health authorities. If you have been directed to self-isolate, you must not leave your home.

Ensure you have sufficient food, litter or any medications your animals may need, just in case you need to self-isolate

If you are sick with coronavirus (COVID-19) you should minimise contact with animals and where possible you should arrange for someone else to mind your pets and care for livestock. You should contact their veterinarian to discuss options, including a call-out, if pets, livestock or wildlife need veterinary attention.