AS PART OF ITS CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 BUSINESS RESILIENCE PACKAGE, THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED ITS $20 MILLION SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL ADAPTION PROGRAM.
Designed to help sole traders, micro and small businesses adapt to a digital operating environment, the scheme provides small businesses with a rebate of $1,200 to cover 12 months of access to a digital product from the Government’s list.
The current partner products named include Mr Yum, Square, Shopify, Squarespace, MYOB, and Xero. Additional products will be added in due course.
The funding is available to cover new products, or upgrades of existing products, as long as the latter includes additional capabilities related to digital adaptation.
It does not cover renewals of existing licenses or minor product updates.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the program, you must:
- Operate your business in Victoria
- Have held a valid ABN since 13 September 2019
- Be registered for GST since 13 September 2020
- Report sales of at least $75,000 in your annual tax return
- Be a sole trader, micro business or small business
- Be registered with a responsible Federal or State regulator
- Be a new customer to one of the digital products available under the program
Businesses that have received assistance through the initial Business Support Fund, the Business Support Fund expansion, Round 3 of the Business Support Fund, Sole Trader Support Fund, payroll tax rebate/waiver, or other COVID-19 programs (including hospitality programs) can also apply for support under this program.
How does the Program work?
1. Register for the program
You must register via the online registration form via the Business Victoria website. Once you have registered, you can trial digital products on the Government’s list for up to a month between 15 November 2020 to 28 February 2021.
Registered businesses can participate in free digital adaptation workshops and seminars.
2. Sign up to a digital product
Registered businesses must purchase and pay for a digital product available under the program.
3. Apply for $1,200 rebate
From 1 December 2020, businesses that have registered and have purchased a digital product can apply online for a rebate of $1,200 to cover for 12 months access to the digital product.
You will be contacted 6 weeks after the application. The rebate will be paid upon confirmation that the digital product is in use.
If you would like more information on the above, please speak to your account manger or contact us on 03 9899 4036.
