Application Criteria

Eligibility will be determined based on the following criteria:

• Business size:
  • Employ less than 100 full time equivalent employees
  • Priority to micro and small businesses employing up to 20 EFTs
• Have an ABN.
• Have been operating a business in the affected area up to and including the date of the disaster.
• Have an owner/operator who derives at least 51% of his/her income from the business.
• Have no ongoing alternative sources of income or adequate insurance (business interruption or continuity).
• Demonstrate significant or total loss of trade since the disaster.
• Intend to continue business operations in the same area.
• Financially sound prior to the disaster occurring.
• Have not received "significant" funding support from other sources, whether government, private or philanthropic.

Supporting documentation or evidence of eligibility is usually required.

Specific guidelines will be prepared for each natural disaster for which the Fund is activated.  They will include due consideration of relevant Government assistance programs in order to ensure consistency.

Applications

Applications will need to be made by completing an application form and attaching original copies of any supporting documents requested within two (2) months of the date of the disaster occurring, unless otherwise specified. 

Applicants will be required to include a signed statutory declaration attesting to the validity of their application.  Any applicant found to provide information of a fraudulent or misleading nature may be subject to prosecution and will be required to repay monies made available under the Fund.

Applications Panel

Applications will be assessed against the Application Criteria by a panel comprising of VECCI nominated representatives and representatives of the charitable organisation (and Government nominated representatives where relevant). 

The Panel may consider special circumstances of hardship and apply discretion and flexibility.

The Applications Panel will make a decision on the 'successful' applications within two (2) months of the lodgement of the application, or earlier as specified.  No decision of the Application Panel or failure or refusal of the Panel to make a decision may be the subject of any appeal, complaint or review and such decision will be final in all respects.

Following approval, funds will be forwarded within fourteen (14) days to the charitable organisation for distribution to eligible businesses.