Individual grants of between $10 000 and $300 000 will support eligible businesses to meet the costs of adapting their workplaces to meet health, safety and social distancing requirements or adapt to business changes imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Adaptations may include changes to transport used to take employees to and from work to ensure physical distancing, changes to employer-supplied accommodation, or the creation of extra washrooms and other facilities.
“These grants are a practical and tailored way to protect workers and employers by supporting them through what may already be a tough financial situation,” Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
“Industry have identified adaptation support as an important way we can help them continue doing their vital work; we’re listening to that advice and considering other ways we can help businesses.”
Grants can also be used to buy machinery or appliances needed by businesses to adapt to maintaining operations during the pandemic.
Each grant will cover up to 50 per cent of the costs of individual adaptation projects, with the remainder to be covered by the business.
The plan is supporting businesses within key agriculture and food processing industries through job-matching, case management, worker relocation needs, transport and training.
For more details or to make an application, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au