The Small Business Ventilation Program is now closed for applications.

The Ventilation Rebate provides a $500 rebate for public-facing small businesses to undertake immediate actions such as purchasing equipment or hiring a qualified tradesperson to undertake minor services to improve ventilation in areas accessible to customers.

Only one application is permitted per ABN. Applicants must submit separate applications for each of their businesses that operate under different ABNs.

Improving ventilation helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 and provides customers with the confidence that businesses are doing everything they can to keep them safe.

Applications for the Small Business Ventilation Program – Ventilation Rebate have closed.

Good ventilation is important because COVID-19 is airborne and primarily spread between people breathing in very small droplets or aerosols containing the virus. The risk of aerosol transmission is higher in a poorly ventilated space because fine aerosol spray from an infected person can remain circulating, linger and spread more easily.

The Victorian Government has released a Small Business Ventilation Guide to help businesses improve ventilation and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging air flow from outside. Business owners are encouraged to read this guide before applying.

Types of air ventilation and how they can be improved:

Business owners must use their judgement and make decisions that are appropriate for their business to improve ventilation and air quality. This may involve seeking professional advice before committing to a purchase.

Small Business Ventilation Rebate Guidelines (PDF 339.78 KB)

Small Business Ventilation Rebate Guidelines (DOCX 1601.48 KB)

Read the full list of FAQs.

To be eligible for a rebate a business must:

You should check your eligibility before deciding to apply.

If you have questions about your application, please read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15. If you require a translator, please let the operator know and they will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.

Successful applicants will receive a rebate of $500, which is a contribution towards the business’s preferred ventilation improvement project. A business must spend at least $500 (ex GST) or more on eligible expenditure to receive the $500 rebate.

A business (as defined by its ABN) can only claim one $500 rebate under this stream of the Small Business Ventilation Program.

The funds may be used to assist with:

Rebates will be allocated on a first-in basis to applicants assessed as eligible until the program’s available funding is fully allocated.

The Small Business Ventilation Program – Ventilation Rebate is closed.

If you have any questions about a submitted application, please read all the information on this page, including program guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Only one application is permitted per ABN under this stream. Applicants must submit separate applications for each of their businesses that operate under different ABNs.

You are encouraged to read the Small Business Ventilation Guide. Business owners must make their own judgement and take decisions about optimising air flow from outside and ventilation appropriate for their business. This may involve seeking professional advice before committing to a purchase.

The Victorian Government is not responsible or liable for the purchasing decision of a business, nor any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with the purchase or works which are the subject of a grant.

The following are examples of types of eligible expenditure:

The grant payment cannot be used for the following expense types:

The business owner or an authorised person for that business can apply for a grant on behalf of the business. This individual must be listed on the Australian Business Register (ABR) as either the owner, co-owner, associate or authorised contact of the business.

To confirm the identity of the business owner or authorised person as listed on the ABR, one of the following current proof of identity documents must be provided:

Applicants must provide the evidence of purchase with proof of payment, such as dated receipts or invoices paid in full verifying that they have spent at least $500 (ex GST) or more on eligible expenditure between 1 January 2022 and 8 September 2022.

Tax invoices must clearly include the required information as described on the Australian Taxation Office website.

This program closed at 11:00pm on Thursday 8 September 2022.

The Victorian Government is not responsible or liable for the purchasing decision of a business, nor any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with the purchase or works which are the subject of a rebate.

Refer to the COVID-19 ventilation principles and strategies for further guidance on reducing aerosol transmission.

For further assistance, please contact call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15. If you require a translator, please let the operator know and they will call the Translating and Interpreting Service for you.

For information on other support and resources see Grants and programs.