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  • COVIDSafe Summer 
  • Temporary Outdoor Dining Permits 
  • Global Gateway Program Grant 
  • Free QR Code for Businesses
  • Upcoming Webinars 
  • Small Business Digital Adaptation Program
  • COVIDSafe Plans 

Victoria moves to COVIDSafe Summer restrictions.

These restrictions are expected to be in place for summer and will be reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current public health advice.

This means:

  • You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home.
  • Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores.
  • Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended indoors and outdoors when you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from other people.
  • You can have up to 30 visitors to your home per day. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.
  • Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from.
  • Record keeping continues to be an important tool for helping Victoria to stay safe and stay open. Businesses that are required to record the details of visitors should use electronic record keeping or QR codes. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service.
  • Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs can open for seated and unseated service. They must use electronic record keeping and apply the two square metre rule to ensure that customers have enough room to keep 1.5 metres between themselves and others. There are no other limits on the number of customers. Venues can have up to 25 people before the two square metre rule needs to be applied.
  • Weddings, funerals and religious gatherings can occur with no limits on the number of guests or attendees. To ensure people can keep 1.5 metres distance the venue must apply the two square metre rule. If a service is conducted in a private home, the private gathering limit applies (30 visitors).
  • Dance floors can reopen in bars and pubs as well as at weddings. The four-square metre rule must be applied to limit the number of people on the dance floor and there can only be up to 50 people on the dancefloor at one time, if space allows.
  • There are also changes to the number of people allowed at community facilities such as libraries, sporting facilities (such as gyms), and entertainment facilities (such as cinemas)

Dowload more detail information:

COVIDSafe Summer - How we work in Victoria

COVIDSafe Summer - How we live in Victoria

Council has established temporary outdoor dining permits to support the operation and hospitality businesses in a COVID safe environment. 

Businesses are encouraged to read the Covid-19 Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit Guidelines before completing an application which are issued free of charge. 

In some areas outdoor dining can only be accommodated by using existing car parking spaces. The temporary and short term use of some car parking for outdoor dining will help our restaurants and cafes reopen and stay viable. They’ll also attract customers back into our centres and support surrounding businesses too.  You can help by supporting the use of car parking for temporary outdoor dining.

Business Victoria have Business Grants to support outdoor dining and entertainment, and Council has developed COVID-19 temporary outdoor dining permits for hospitality venues. Grant applications close on Friday 11 December.

For more information and to apply for an outdoor dining permit click here


Applications are open

Established Victorian exporters can now apply for a one-off grant of up to $50,000 to stabilise their business or adapt export strategies in response to the challenges created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Find out more about the program on the Global Victoria website

The Victorian Government’s QR Code Service can be used by businesses and venues to keep records of visitors to help us stay safe and stay open.

It’s as simple as registering your business, downloading and printing a poster with the Victorian Government QR Code and displaying it prominently in your business.

Businesses or venues with multiple outlets or spaces can register for multiple QR codes.

All businesses and venues are still required to have pen and paper record keeping on hand as an ultimate backup, if a visitor prefers to not use the QR code method.

Victorian businesses and venues can now go to http://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/qrcode to register and be sent their unique QR code to display for visitors to scan and check-in.

For more information click here




Business Planning Essentials: How to build a road map to success
Wednesday 9 December, 6-8pm

Put your business on the path to long-term success at this essential workshop that will take you, step by step, through the vital process of building a business plan to drive your business forward.

Taking your Business Online: What you need to know 

Wednesday 16 December, 6-8pm 

Build your understanding of online advertising, search engines, websites, blogs and social media through practical exercises and real-life examples, then learn how to bring them all together into an effective online strategy that matches your objectives.

For more information and to register click here

The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will allow eligible businesses to trial and then receive access to digital products, tools and training they can use to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations. 

Businesses will be able to register and trial selected digital products from suppliers who have partnered with the Victorian Government, then choose one of these products to purchase.

Products currently available to businesses through this program include website, e-commerce, finance and digital business management tools. The program also offers free digital adaptation training and workshops to help registered businesses adopt and implement online tools in their business.

Before submitting an application, please check eligibility and read the program guidelines and the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Register now!

It is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan.

To ensure compliance, random spot checks are occurring 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 changes. Organisations with multiple worksites must complete a COVIDSafe Plan for each worksite.

For more information on COVIDSafe plans, please visit the coronavirus website

Please contact Business Victoria if you require any further assistance on 13 22 15.



IGNITE Food Passions is delivered by The Business of Food. The purpose of the IGNITE program is to provide ideas and information to get your food business venture started with interactive sessions covering business operations and food regulations, as well as providing an opportunity for participants to interact and share their journey.

The Program runs over five weeks every Tuesday commencing 16 February 2021.

Apply now!





“Start, Now” - a new pre-accelerator program.

It’s designed to help you turn your idea into an actual business startup.

The program will run from the 15 February to 16 April 2021, and involves individual online learning and structured group learning, peer catch-ups and mentoring.

Find out more on nowdoit.com.au

Apply now!



Are you a woman in Leadership or do you know a woman in Leadership? 

The Brimbank Women in Leadership Program provides meaningful, practical and holistic business support in a way that also enhances relationships, networking and support opportunities. 

The program runs for 12 weeks commencing on 9 February 2021.

Apply Now!



Cul-ti-vate is a Brimbank City Council initiative delivered by VU Innovations and Roshambo.

Cul-ti-vate's purpose is to accelerate the process of finding a business idea, developing it, and scaling the business into a sustainable model.

Cul-ti-vate is designed for entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs, as well as small business owners, looking to future proof their business.

The program runs over nine weeks in a fast paced mode that mirrors the speed needed to succeed in the real world. 

The program will commence in April 2021. 

Applications opening soon!

Business Planning Essentials - Register here
Taking your Business Online - Register here

Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve business success - for further information click 
here  

Melbourne's North Food Group 
Webinar - Economic Recovery: The challenges and opportunities for businesses - register here

Upskill My Business (Business Victoria)
Develop your business skills and strengthen your business - for further information click here
   

ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
A wide range of interactive online webinar seminars presented by experienced tax officers, where you can ask questions to help you apply the information to your situation - register
here

Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) 
ASBAS is delivering FREE online workshops and Business Resilience programs for Victorian businesses: 

Online Workshops  - Register here
Business Resilience Program - Register here

Business Resilience Mentoring - Register here
Business Resilience Workshops - Register here

Business Mentoring 

Council's partnership with the Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) and ION Group provides businesses with vouchers to access mentoring sessions. Sessions are provided either online via Skype/Zoom or by telephone.


SBMS mentoring sessions are designed to provide operational support and identify resources for businesses in these extreme times.  There are different mentoring options available, and they can be provided in languages other than English.

ION Group provides a strategic ‘whole of business’ approach to their mentoring sessions. These sessions include an opportunity to review your situation, undertake planning and business strategy, and prepare adaptation strategies for re-opening, reinventing and rebuilding your business.

For more information and a discussion about your mentoring needs, contact the Economic Development Team ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

Have you responded to the Business Impact Survey?  

We'd really like to hear from you to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting your business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. 

Complete the Business Impact Survey here 

Brimbank.Localised - it’s more than business to business – it’s business to people, people to business – it’s a business community â€“ it’s letting people know where there is local expertise, local services and local opportunity.

There is no cost to sign up to Brimbank.Localised, and by signing up you will receive ongoing promotion and exposure to other Brimbank businesses, access to local supply chains and local business networks.

Brimbank.Localised is ready for Brimbank businesses to upload their profile, business information, articles and blogs - you'll just need a photo, logo, website and business details to create your profile account and get started.

Guide to getting started

Brimbank.Localised Getting Started guide (English)
Brimbank.Localised Getting Started guide (Vietnamese)


Find out more about Brimbank.Localised and upload your business profile here


Are you a local business looking for new staff and want to employ local?

There's no cost to join the Joblink community or to post your employment opportunities. You’ll also receive promotion for your business on the JobLink Facebook Page.

Check out Brimbank Joblink for more information and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook

Copyright © Brimbank City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 70, Sunshine 3020

For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au

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