Victoria announces small-business tech investment rebate

According to the state’s leadership, the initiative is the latest round in Victoria's Small Business Digital Adaptation Program and is expected to close on 18 July. 

As per state’s government, sole trader, micro and small businesses that purchase one of 14 nominated products between 4 April and 18 July, and use the said product for 12 months, will receive a rebate of $1,200. 

These products can either be a new product not previously used by the business, an upgrade of an already-existing product, or a product employed by the business more than a year ago. 

However the fund will not cover the renewal of existing product or software licences, minor updates to already-purchased products or those purchased through a third party that aren’t considered licensed for an applicant’s use.

Currently, there are 14 products under the program, including food and beverage ordering platform Mr Yum, payment system Square, and accounting softwares MYOB and Xero. 

The government has said businesses can trial products free for up to one month, depending on the trial offered by each supplier, up until 19 June 2022.

For a business to be eligible, it must have operated in Victoria since 28 March 2021 at the latest with a continuously held ABN. 

Victoria’s Acting Minister for Small Business, Martin Pakula, said: “This program offers small businesses advice and support to upgrade their digital systems to improve efficiency and attract more customers.”

“We’re backing small businesses across the state through programs like this because we know the critical role they play in creating jobs for Victorians.”

The measure is the latest announced by the Victorian government to support small businesses based in the state. 

Earlier this year, Victoria followed suit with NSW, ACT, South Australia and Tasmania in providing support for small and medium-sized enterprises suffering under the omicron variant. 

In October, Commonwealth and Victorian governments announced a jointly funded $2.27 billion package to support businesses impacted by lockdown restrictions imposed at the time.

It was around this same time that the state’s government independently announced it would be investing $54.5 million in supporting businesses to establish street trading.

[Related: LNP commits $75m to farm ownership scheme]