Small Business Ventilation Program 

To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and improve ventilation in areas accessed by customers, the Victorian Government is providing support to public facing small businesses through the Small Business Ventilation Program.  

Resources available to assist with improving ventilation in small business include:

• Small Business Ventilation Guide
• Improving Ventilation in your business

Eligible businesses can now apply for funding to invest in equipment, works or engage professional services to improve ventilation in areas of the workplace that are accessible to customers.  

Under the program, two types of support are available: 

1. Ventilation Rebate  

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

2. Ventilation Grant 

Matched grants from $1000 to $5000 to enable public facing small businesses who employ staff to invest in larger projects to improve ventilation such as building works, engaging professional services or equipment in areas accessible to customers. 

Applications are open until 11:59pm Friday 24 June 2022 or when funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first. 

Types of eligible expenditure through the Small Business Ventilation Support Program include: 

• works to the building to maximise ventilation, for example fixing windows to ensure they open or adding additional windows or doors to create greater air flow 
• purchase and installation of spare parts to ensure the existing ventilation system operates effectively 
• repairs, servicing or cleaning of an existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or air conditioning unit 
• purchasing an air purifier using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for the premises 
• inspection by a qualified professional service provider for the purpose of a ventilation audit, HVAC health check or assistance with items identified in the self-assessment ventilation guidance. 
• equipment and works that improve air ventilation and/or purification for the installation, upgrade, maintenance and repair of building infrastructure and ventilation systems. 
• direct costs to deliver the ventilation project such as labour, regulatory approvals or cost of building modification directly related to and required to accommodate the ventilation strategy.