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Support for business

Council has a number of initiatives to support local businesses, including free mentoring sessions. Some businesses may also be eligible to apply for relief under our COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy if they are unable to pay rates or other fees and charges on time.

COVID-19 information for businesses

QR check-in requirements

QR code check in is now mandatory in all business settings, including all retail.

You must use the Victorian Government QR Code Service. 

You can use the Victorian Government's Kiosk check-in option to record a visitor's details on the venue's device. You can set up a kiosk service online (see item 10 on the QR code website)

You can find out more or download a range of resources with QR code information in languages other than English on the Victorian Government's website. 

 

Commonwealth and Victorian Government financial supports

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments are jointly providing financial support to help businesses through the pandemic. 
There are a range of funds and programs, including:

  • COVID-19 Disaster Payments
  • Small Business COVID Hardship Fund
  • Business Costs Assistance Program
  • Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021

Find out more at www.business.vic.gov.au

 

COVIDSafe workplaces

Pending the current state of lockdown and the Victorian Government restrictions, there is some really useful advice and resources  on how to create and maintain COVIDSafe workplaces at:

 

COVID-19 information for businesses in other languages

  • Ganacsi iyo shaqo (Business and work) - Soomaali (Somali) | Coronavirus Victoria
  • الأعمال التجارية والعمل (Business and work) - العربية (Arabic) | Coronavirus Victoria
  • Kinh doanh và công việc (Business and work) - tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) | Coronavirus Victoria
  • 商业活动与工作 (Business and work) - 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) |
  • Coronavirus Victoria
    商業活動及工作 (Business and work) - 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) |
  • Coronavirus Victoria
    Бизнис и работа (Business and work) - Македонски (Macedonian) |
  • Coronavirus Victoria
    ਕਾਰੋਬਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਮ (Business and work) - ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) | Coronavirus Victoria

Information for cleaners

Cleaners have an important role to play in reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in our community. Cleaners can help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by adopting measures that include cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, counters, phones, handrails, light switches, taps, toilets and ticket machines. As more businesses open and normal operations resume, there will be an increased demand for cleaning services, including house cleaning.

The Victorian Government has released factsheets about cleaning in a COVID-safe way:

All cleaning businesses, including self-employed house cleaners, must have a COVIDSafe Plan and follow the six COVIDSafe principles to help prevent future outbreaks.

  • Ensure physical distancing
  • Wear a face mask
  • Practise good hygiene
  • Keep records and act quickly
  • Avoid interactions in enclosed spaces
  • Create workforce bubbles

 

COVID-19 Hardship Policy

Our COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy provides relief to residents and businesses in the City of Whittlesea. 

You can apply online or contact our Business support team on 9217 2278 or email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

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COVID-19 business impacts study

We want to know how local businesses are faring as the economy starts its COVID-19 recovery.

Fill out our short survey to tell us the ongoing impacts on your business.

We can provide support to help you fill out the survey or information in languages other than English.

Fill out the survey before 30 June 2021 to go into the draw for a prize:

  • 2 x Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ‘Networker’ memberships – valued $350 each
  • 1 x space in the upcoming Business Development Program  - valued $750

Fill out the survey

Vacant to Vibrant

The Vacant to Vibrant program aims to address retail vacancy issues across the municipality and its impacts on the broader retail precinct. Vacant shops create a negative perception of retail centres in the eyes of the community, shoppers and business owners. 

The Vacant to Vibrant program proposes to take empty retail space and offer it to local start-ups, social enterprises and artists, with affordable, short-term commercial leases.

Contact Economic Development on 9217 2278 or email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

 

Business resources

Visit these websites for more information on the Coronavirus and your business:

Business Victoria - call the dedicated business hotline on 13 22 15.

Business Australia (information on support for business)

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 

Worksafe Victoria

Information for exporters

Workplace entitlements

Food standards 

Australian Retailers Association

Victorian Small Business Commission

Council support for business

Business support service

Council’s Business Engagement Officer can help connect businesses with a variety of support available from Local, State and Federal Government and across industry. Call 9217 2278 or email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Mentoring

Free mentoring sessions will be provided by the Small Business Mentoring Service and Box Hill Business Enterprise Centre.

Click here to book your place.

For further information visit our events page, or email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Webinars

If you missed our recent webinar series, or would like to learn more about gaining new skills or thinking for your business, you can view all the recordings on Council's YouTube channel. Recorded webinars have covered topics such as; online networking, managing cashflow, mental health, business planning, negotiating rent relief, running a home-based business, applying for grants, moving your business online, business continuity and risk planning.

Watch a Visual Marketing webinar online.