Music Victoria is extremely concerned about the impact Covid-19 and the restriction and subsequent banning of non-essential public gatherings is having on live music venues.

We will regularly consult with - and update - venues on key concerns and developments, and raise issues with relevant businesses and authorities.

Below is a current update as of 1 April:

• Music Victoria has been running weekly meetings with venue owners and venue bookers. If you would like join one of these meetings, please contact James Sanchez (james@musicvictoria.com.au). If you would like to join a festival promoter meeting, please email Bonnie Dalton (bonnie@vmdo.com.au).

• REGISTER FOR & ACCESS SUPPORT: 
• Most businesses impacted by the virus ca access the State Government’s $10,000 Small Business Support Fund grants: https://www.business.vic.gov.au/
• Learn how you can access job keeper payments for you and your staff: https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet_supporting_businesses_4.pdf
• Learn the last government support for commercial and rental leases: https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/eliteagent.com/a-six-month-moratorium-on-rental-evictions-but-still-no-support-for-agents/amp/

• This is the State Government’s current laws on non-essential public gatherings, which at this stage are in place until 13 April: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/200323-Statement-From-The-Premier-1.pdf

• Music Victoria is hosting weekly Wednesday teleconference meetings with venues. The next one will be held on Wednesday March 24 (10-11am for venue owners; 11.15-12 for venue bookers and other staff). Email James at james@musicvictoria.com.au for teleconference details

• Since the last meeting on 18 March, Music Victoria wrote to the Premier and relevant ministers calling for targeted support for venues

• We wrote this article which appeared in the Age newspaper: https://www.theage.com.au/culture/music/our-famed-music-venues-could-disappear-if-we-don-t-act-20200319-p54btx.html 

• The Victorian Commission of Gaming and Liquor Regulation has agreed to suspend all liquor licensing fees for 2020. They are also fast tracking variations to liquor licenses. See more information here:  https://vcglr.vic.gov.au/news/coronavirus-covid-19-information-licensees

• OneMusic will suspend accounts for venues that are required to cease trade as a result of the Covid-19 indoor and outdoor attendance limitation. Accounts will be adjusted once trade recommences.

• The Federal and State Governments have released support packages. Our colleagues at the VMDO and friends at the Gild Group have analysed these and summarised how they can help music businesses:
• https://www.vmdo.com.au/news/2020/3/13/the-stimulus-package-what-you-need-to-know
• https://www.vmdo.com.au/news/2020/3/23/the-second-stimulus-package

• Music Victoria will consult with the State Government about how the music industry’s needs can be addressed by the Business Support Fund.

• Businesses can also register their interest in receiving details of theBusiness Support Fund when information becomes available via Small Business Victoria’s ‘Register your interest ‘ button found at:https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/economic-survival-and-jobs-package

• Music Victoria will continue to advocate for venues during this time of crisis. In the meantime, you can sign the below petition, set up by a venue owner, calling for support to help safe live venues:
• https://www.change.org/p/victorian-state-government-help-live-music-and-music-venues-survive-the-lockdown?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_20997005_en-AU%3Av9&recruiter=70596015&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&use_react=false

The national industry is lobbying the federal government for a targeted support package. See details here: 

1. Live Performance Australia Media Release - Governments Must Act to Prevent Final Curtain for Live Performance Industry - 20 March 2020 
2. COVID-19: Live Performance Industry Package

9am, 23 March 2020

In line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government will implement a shutdown or restriction of non-essential activity across our state to help combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The shutdown will be in place effective midday today (23 March 2020).

In this instance, non-essential business is defined as a:

• pub, bar, club or nightclub except for bottle shops
• a hotel, whether licensed or unlicensed, except for accommodation, takeaway meals or a meal delivery service
• gym
• indoor sporting venue
• casino
• entertainment venue
• restaurant or café, except for takeaway meals or a meal delivery service
• place of worship, other than for the purposes of a wedding or funeral that otherwise complies with density restrictions

All other businesses will remain unimpacted under the current requirements.  

This action is imperative to ensuring the safety of our state.  

Without it, more Victorians will contract the virus, overwhelming our hospitals and putting more lives at risk.

Read advice on the directions from the Deputy Chief Health Officer (PDF format).

Victorian school holidays have been brought forward to commence on Tuesday March 24.

Can I still live-stream performances from my venue without an audience?

Yes. You can put on live-streamed performances, without a live audience, at your venue if you’d like to continue to operate as a music venue, for example. However, you will need to ensure that the performers and technicians involved maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between each other at all times.

The latest health advice can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

If you're wanting to understand what benefits may be available to you within the Government Stimulus package, you can read a breakdown of it here. Other simple and easy-to-understand summaries can be found here and here.

A fact sheet from Government explaining the Jobkeeper Payment Stimulus Package can be accessed here:

Jobkeeper Payment Fact Sheet

Jobkeeper Frequently Asked Questions

For those who are able to continue with aspects of your business online, here are some things you can do to raise funds from patrons whilst lockdown is in place.

• Create and sell digital vouchers (Shout Your Local is custom-designed for venues trying to increase cashflow amidst COVID-19)

• Run a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for staff

• Sell branded merch - think outside the box

• Offer take-away or delivery meals. 
If offering delivery, consider keeping your staff on as delivery drivers, rather than using a service like ubereats.

• Offer take-away alcohol (if your license allows it)

• Investigate live streaming performances

• Join Victorian Music Industry COVID-19 Hub to share ideas and find out about new opportunities and initiatives.

• Join Australian Arts amidst COVID-19 facebook group to share ideas

• Keep an eye on our Coronavirus Resources - we will update them regularly with new information.

• Enter your losses into I Lost My Gig –  We need to quantify this
• Sign this petition calling for support to help safe live venues
• Encourage your staff to join Job share groups on facebook to fill the gaps
• Free membership to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber is an independent voice for Victorian business and supports businesses towards growth and prosperity. Due to the impact of COVID-19 - for the first time ever, the Chamber will waive membership fees for one year for all Victorian businesses (up to $700 value). Existing members will receive an additional $500 credit.
• Is your Music Victoria Membership up to date? Renew here