Improving The Air In Our Small Businesses
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting small businesses to improve indoor air-quality, keeping Victorians safe and reducing the spread COVID-19.
Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford today encouraged applications for the $60 million Small Business Ventilation Program.
Eligible businesses can now access between $500 and $5000 for air ventilation and filtration equipment, works or professional services that will help improve air quality indoors.
Improving ventilation not only helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 it gives customers confidence businesses are doing everything they can to keep them safe.
Under the program, businesses can apply for two types of support:
- Ventilation Rebate – a $500 rebate to take immediate actions such as purchasing an air purifier or hiring a qualified tradesperson to undertake minor services to improve ventilation.
- Ventilation Grant – matched grants between $1000 and $5000 to invest in larger projects such as building works or engaging professional services or equipment to improve ventilation.
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 Labor 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.
Applications will be assessed for eligibility on a first-come, first-served basis until 11.59pm Friday 24 June 2022 or until funds are exhausted.
The Small Business Ventilation Program is part of a $200 million stimulus injection to support businesses recover from the pandemic.
The new program builds on the Government’s measures improving ventilation to limit the spread of COVID-19. For more information on improving ventilation in the workplace, visit coronavirus.vic.gov/ventilation.