To our Maribyrnong Business Community, 

Restrictions have eased enough to give our community some semblance of normality and it is brilliant to see lots of people out and about, getting on with business and enjoying social time with family and friends. 

The school holidays are almost upon us which means there will be a flurry of activity within the community and more families enjoying time together sharing meals, shopping and playing. Does your business have any kid friendly activities planned? Are your shelves stocked? Maybe a table and some paper and crayons to entertain the littlies whilst their carer shops? 

There are lots of ways to capture your audience and make the most out of the extra foot traffic these school holidays.

Best wishes
City of Maribyrnong Team

From 11.59pm tonight, the Victorian Government will ease restrictions across the state, with settings to be maintained for two weeks before the issuance of further advice. There will be no changes to mask requirements which must be worn indoors except if at home or if an exception applies.

 The easing will increase caps on private and public gatherings, indoor and outdoor events, community facilities, and entertainment and leisure, with specific requirements affecting retailers outlined below.

Many restrictions will be eased in accordance with settings in Regional Victoria, with key restrictions outlined below:

  • Restaurants, cafes and food courts can open for seated service up to a maximum of 300 patrons per venue, subject to the 1 person per 4sqm density requirement. There is no group limit.
    • However, venues can have up to 25 patrons before the density quotient applies
    • Venues less than 600sqm can operate with the lesser of a density quotient of 1 per 2sqm or venue cap of 150 patrons, provided they have a COVID Check-in Marshal
  • No change to retail, which can open in line with density limits of 1 person per 4sqm.
  • No change to hairdressing, beauty, and personal care services, which can operate without masks during service. The density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm continues to apply.
  • The work from home requirement is removed. Offices can return at 75% capacity or up to 30 people if the total workplace is 40 or less, subject to the 1 person per 4sqm rule
More information


Visit the Maribyrnong Localised Platform


Maribyrnong Localised, is a FREE digital directory for the local business community to promote their goods and services to the broader community. It only takes a few minutes to set up a basic business listing.

By adding your business details to Localised, you are able to:
- Advertise products, services and people to the local business community
- Boost your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and drive traffic to your website and digital content
- Upload business blogs, news and articles to the Noticeboard to market your business to prospective customers 
- Discover networking and professional development events for businesses across our community 
- Access the marketplace for procurement opportunities or requests for quotes
- Learn about business initiatives, grants, news and offers from Council 

Add your business here

The Victorian Government has made changes to the registration process for QR Codes. The QR Code Service is free to all Victorian businesses and helps contact tracers manage a potential COVID outbreak.

It is now mandatory to have a QR Code Service with the option also to manually take details of patrons/customers should there be issues checking in digitally. 

More information

As of 1 July 2021, food business owners wanting to sell their business will no longer be able to transfer their food registration to a new owner. The proposed new owner/s will need to apply with Council for a new food registration. Registration assessments and approval can take anywhere between a few days to a few weeks so immediate notification to Council is imperative. 

If you are planning to sell your business, please advise the new owners of the new changes to the Food Act, by referring them to Council’s Business Concierge Service to apply and register a food premises.

Please call 9688 0200 or email concierge@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au.

Learn more about Council's Business Concierge Service here

"Start, Now", is a pre-accelerator on the "Now". platform with access to short video modules mentors, a library of content, and connection to a community of over 2000 alumni.

 Free for Victorian Start Up Founders

Thanks to Launch Vic, 400 positions have been made available for Victorian-based startups. "Start, Now", has been designed specifically for early-stage Victorian Startup Founders looking to start and grow their business. Since launching in February 2021, Start, Now has accepted 156 early-stage founders into the program, and we have 244 remaining spots - which are free (thanks to our mates, Launch Vic).

 If you have an idea or start-up that aims to impact people while using technology to scale, then this program is for you. Get in quick! 

Apply Now


Applications for the Small Business Digital Adaption Program closes on Wednesday 30 June 2021. 

The Victorian Government is offering rebates of $1,200 so that businesses can access or upgrade digital tools.

The Government has partnered with 14 suppliers to help businesses with everything from productivity to digital marketing, including:

·        Xero: to help seamlessly manage cashflow, BAS, staff and payroll

·        Lawpath: to save time and money on all things legal

·        Shopify: to build a secure online store and sell products online

·        Square: for easy point of sale systems that also manage customer data

There are lots of industry specific options too, for businesses in motoring, hospitality, retail, professional services and trades.

The program is accessible to any business that’s had an ABN registered since 13 September 2019.

Apply Now

Small businesses across the City of Maribyrnong now have access to safe, quality and affordable solar panels through the Solar for Business Program.

Delivered by Solar Victoria, the program supports small businesses across Victoria by providing access to renewable energy – helping them reduce their energy costs and their climate impact at the same time.

Eligible small businesses will be provided with a rebate that covers up to 50 per cent of the cost of an approved small-scale solar PV system up to 30kW, with a maximum rebate of $3,500.

Learn More 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have released a toolkit to assist businesses to find resources and information which will help during tax time. 

Download a copy of the toolkit

The Australian Retailers Association is offering a free one hour confidential virtual consultation to make sure your COVIDSafe plan is following best practice. There are a number of spots still available so book your consultation now. 

The Business Competitiveness Program will assist small and medium manufacturers with an existing presence in Victoria to expand their manufacturing operations and implement new manufacturing technologies and processes that provide a critical foundation for generating sustainable new local jobs.  

The program aims to create jobs, increase industry competitiveness, and help strengthen local supply chains in traditional and emerging manufacturing sectors where Victoria has competitive advantages.

Grants of up to 33 per cent of eligible project expenditure, up to a maximum grant amount of $500,000, will be allocated on a competitive basis for projects to be completed within 18 months of receiving the grant.

Eligible projects include the purchase and commissioning of capital equipment, manufacturing product and process improvements, prototyping, evaluation and testing of new products and processes, and supply chain capability development.

More information

While preparing your documents for tax time, don’t forget to check your Australian Business Number (ABN) details are up to date.

While updating your ABN details might be low on your tax time checklist, it’s an important step to ensure:

  • the right people have the right permissions to act on behalf of your business
  • government agencies have current information
  • you’re ready for new government services when they become available.

You need to update your details within 28 days of becoming aware of changes.

Visit the ABR website to update your details today.

Don’t forget to get tested for COVID-19 if you feel unwell

Everyone who is tested for COVID-19 helps protect our community. If you have symptoms, however mild, please get tested.

Get a test if you are experiencing: 

·        Runny nose 

·        Loss of sense of smell/taste 

·        Sore throat 

·        Cough 

·        Shortness of breath 

·        Fever or chills 

For up-to-date testing centre locations and wait times, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au