Victorian Government Outlines Details Of $20 Million Events Support Package

The Victorian State Government has today outlined details for the $20 million Victorian Events Support Package.

The package was announced on 30 May following the start of the state's fourth lockdown and "has been designed to support the events industry, acknowledging the heavy and ongoing impact of the May-June restrictions on the sector". 

There are several funding options available to entertainment businesses - including organisers, hosts, suppliers, producers and cinemas - which are detailed below.

• The Sustainable Event Business Program will provide up to $250,000 to major event organisers, hosts and suppliers who have suffered a loss as a result of the recent restrictions that began in late May, and the ongoing viability of their event or business has been significantly affected by the pandemic.
  
  
• The Impacted Public Events Support Program will deliver up to $25,000 to eligible event organisers and up to $10,000 to eligible suppliers of Tier 1 and Tier 2 public events under the Public Events Framework that were approved to take place between 11.59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11.59pm on 24 June 2021.
  
  
• A Live Performance Support Program (Presenters) will provide up to $7,000 to presenters of live performance events that have cancelled events between 11.59pm on 27 May 2021 and 11.59pm on 24 June 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
  
  
• A Live Performance Support Program (Suppliers) will provide a $500 grant per event for up to four different events for suppliers of goods and services to live performance events, including musicians and performers.
  
  
• An Independent Cinema Support Program will deliver up to $12,000 to independent cinema operators unable to operate due to the COVID-19 restrictions that commenced at 11.59pm on 27 May 2021.

"From performers and technical crew to promoters and venues, it takes many hands to stage a live performance event and many have lost business and work because of this pandemic," said Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson.

“This package provides vital support to our arts and entertainment industry, but in particular our cinema businesses – these grants will be critical to a sector we know has been hit hard throughout the pandemic."

“Event organisers have done it tough and they deserve this across-the-board support – from big companies with dozens of workers to individual contractors it will provide critical cash injections when they are needed most," said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula. 

“Victorians love turning out to events and we are backing the sector and its workers to recover stronger than ever.”

The announcement comes just days after over 200 leading industry figures signed an open letter calling for greater support from the Victorian Government around entertainment sector restrictions. 

Further information about the package and how to apply can be found here.