Between repeated COVID-19 lockdowns, restrictions, and natural disasters, many small business owners are doing it tough right now. This is especially true for the smallest businesses, who have disproportionately struggled to receive government grants. That’s why COSBOA has joined forces with GoFundMe, Commonwealth Bank, and Transurban to create the Doing it Tough grant program for micro businesses and sole traders who have fallen through the cracks.

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Applications are now closed.

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Key information

• Grants of $3,000 will be available for eligible sole traders and micro businesses based in Victoria

• Applications will open at 5pm on 27 September 2021 and close at 5pm on 11 October 2021

• Applications will be made via a Google form (available on this website on 27 September)

• Successful applicants will be contacted by COSBOA

• Payments will be made upon verification of eligibility

• COSBOA has the sole and ultimate decision on recipients

• Full terms and conditions are here. Privacy policy here. 

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible businesses must:

• Have a valid ABN

• Have a Victorian business address

• Be a sole trader or micro business, defined as:

  • Having 3 or fewer employees

  • A turnover of less than $75,000.

• Not have received any government funding related to COVID-19 neither as a business nor an individual since 1 June 2021.

 

Application process

Applicants must:

• Complete the application through COSBOA’s website

• Write a maximum of 300 words on how they are 'doing it tough'

• Agree to the privacy policy, publicity release form, and terms and conditions.

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Nominated finalists will be required to provide further information to verify that they meet the eligibility criteria. This will include:

• FY19-20 or FY20-21 tax return or a BAS indicating an annual turnover of less than $75,000

• Payroll report or similar verifying 3 or fewer employees

• Bank details 

• A declaration that they have not received any government funding neither as business nor as an individual relating to COVID-19 since 1 June 2021

• Applicants may be asked to verify spending within 6 months and provide a description of how funds assisted their business.

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Selection criteria

• An initially random sample of applicants will be drawn for review

• Finalists will be selected based on their submission, eligibility, and 300-word description of how they are doing it tough.