The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented and wide-reaching challenges for Victoria’s creative and cultural sector. We have gathered the following information in response to pressing questions received. For further details on the latest information about Victoria's coronavirus response and restrictions, and relevant resources, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au
State of Emergency extended
The current Declaration of State of Emergency has been extended through to 11.59pm 7 May 2021.
UPDATE: New COVIDSafe Settings
From midnight on Friday 9 April 2021 new COVIDSafe Settings apply across Victoria.
To find out what this means for the creative industries, see our Restrictions summary and Q&As below.
For full details of the current Victorian restrictions, read the Victorian Government’s statement.
COVIDSafe Settings – Restrictions summary for the Creative Industries
From midnight Friday 9 April 2021 new COVIDSafe Settings apply across Victoria.
The key change for the creative industries is as follows:
- Indoor and outdoor seated venues move from 75% to 100% of total capacity. The limit of 1000 people per space and density limit of one person per two square metres in unseated areas such as foyers, bars and bathrooms remain in place.
If you have submitted an application to the Public Events Framework (PEF), please note the following:
- If your event has been previously approved by the Victorian Government to operate at more than 75% capacity under the Public Events Framework, you can now operate at 100% capacity with up to 1,000 attendees.
- Or, if you have registered a Tier 3 event and would like to increase to 100% capacity, you are able to do that under your existing event registration – you do not need to re-register with the COVIDSafe Events Team.
- From 9 April onwards, it is not mandatory to register your event with the Government if you are a venue, you only need a COVIDSafe plan. Tier 3 event organisers can still register a COVIDSafe Event Checklist.
- Unseated indoor events must still operate under the density limit of one person per two square metres.
In other changes, no density limit applies in office-based workplaces except in publicly accessible areas such as lobbies.
COVIDSafe Plan
All workplaces with on-site operations must have a COVIDSafe Plan.
Home-based businesses must also have a COVIDSafe Plan.
Face masks
Face masks are no longer required in retail settings, but Victorians still need to carry one with them at all times and wear it on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis and in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals (unless a lawful exemption applies).
Social gatherings
- You can have up to 100 visitors to your home per day.
- Up to 200 people can meet outdoors in a public place.
Current COVIDSafe settings for the creative industries (from midnight on Friday 9 April 2021).
Capacity (from 6.00pm on Friday 26 March 2021)
Seated venues (indoor and outdoor)
- Up to 100 per cent total capacity with maximum patron cap of 1000 people per space.
- Density limit of one person per two square metres in unseated areas such as foyers, bars, bathrooms.
- Dancefloors move to a density limit of one person per two square metres and the 50 patron cap is removed.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Service Victoria app or a government API-linked digital system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021).
- Entry to, and egress from, a seated space or a non-seated space is monitored and staggered, where possible, to ensure compliance with the density quotient and capacity limits.
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Arrangements for increased capacity continue to be determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
- Density quotient and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.
Non-seated indoor venues
- Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries and museums) can open with up to 75% per cent of total capacity with a maximum of 1000 people per space. A density limit of one person per two square metres applies.
- Dancefloors move to a density limit of one person per two square metres and the 50 patron cap is removed.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Service Victoria app or a government API-linked digital system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021).
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Arrangements for increased capacity continue to be determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
- Arts and entertainment venues that include hospitality or retail offerings should refer to the relevant industry guidelines.
- Density and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.
Non-seated outdoor venues (such as sculpture parks, live museums)
- For any non-seated outdoor space, the patron limit is determined by a density limit of one person per two square metres.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Service Victoria app or a government API-linked digital system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021).
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
- Indoor spaces at outdoor venues can open subject to the restrictions relevant to the space (e.g. hospitality or retail).
- Arrangements for increased capacity continue to be determined on an individual basis under the Public Events Framework.
- Density and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.
Creative studios
- Creative arts facilities (such as studios and workshops) can operate with no patron caps and a density limit of one person per two square metres.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Service Victoria app or a government API-linked digital system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021)
- Density and capacity limits do not apply if the venue is used exclusively by a single school.
Dance floors
- Dancefloors have a density limit of one person per two square metres with no patron cap.
Return to offices
- The density limit no longer applies in office-based workplaces except in publicly accessible areas such as lobbies. All workplaces with on-site workers require a COVIDSafe Plan.
Drive-in cinemas
- Drive-in cinemas can open. Areas outside of vehicles are subject to a density limit of one person per two square metres.
- All venues must use electronic record keeping through the Service Victoria app or a government API-linked digital system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021).
- Venues with capacity of greater than 500 patrons must publish a COVIDSafe Plan online.
Set-building
- Set-building for theatre, film and television must adhere to construction sector guidelines.
Victorian Government QR Code Service
To help Victoria stay safe and stay open, creative venues and facilities are required to use a QR code service that seamlessly integrates with the Victorian Government contact tracing system.
This means they must use the free Victorian Government QR Service or a Victorian Government Application Programming Interface linked digital record keeping system from March 26 (a 28-day compliance amnesty will be in place to 23 April 2021). This applies to the following types of creative venues as well as those in other sectors (see full list):
- Creative arts facilities
- Seated entertainment venues (indoors and outdoors)
- Indoor non-seated venues (such as galleries)
- Outdoor non-seated entertainment venues (such as Zoos, live museums)
- Drive in cinemas
The Victorian Government QR Code Service is free for all Victorian businesses, organisations, clubs and events. These records help contact tracers in the event a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) is identified.
For more information visit the QR Code Service page on the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.
- Set-building for theatre, film and television must adhere to construction sector guidelines.
Signage
For all Victorian workplaces:
- Where a workplace has a publicly accessible space, employers must display signage at each public entry to each indoor and outdoor space, indicating maximum capacity and face mask restrictions where required.
Cleaning
For all Victorian workplaces:
- Employers should ensure shared spaces and public spaces are cleaned with disinfectant regularly, with high touch surfaces cleaned twice each day. Shared equipment should be cleaned between uses.
Public Events Framework
Entertainment venues can apply to be considered under the Public Events Framework (PEF) where activity exceeds venue density limits or capacity restrictions. Detailed information on the PEF can be found here.
Victorian Travel Permit System
Victoria has established a permit system for travel into Victoria from interstate and New Zealand.
From 11:59pm on 26 February, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.
The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia and New Zealand to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk. Find more information about red, orange and green permit zones.
The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate or New Zealand.
New South Wales/Victorian border communities will continue to have exceptions and will be able to use local residence identification to cross the border – such as a driver’s licence.
To apply for a Victorian Border Crossing Permit, visit the Service Victoria website.
For more information visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
Public health measures
From midnight on Friday 9 April 2021 new COVIDSafe Settings apply across Victoria.
See our Restrictions summary and Q&As to learn more about what this means for the creative industries.
For a full run down of current Victorian restrictions, visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.
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Funding and support
Creative Victoria is working closely with the Minister for Creative Industries on a range of support measures to help the sector through the challenges posed by coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes rolling out the Victorian Government’s dedicated creative industries support.
Prior to the pandemic, Victoria’s creative industries were worth $33.9 billion to the state economy, employing approximately 292,000 Victorians. The Victorian Government has invested more than $220 million in the State Budget through grant programs, strategic initiatives and infrastructure projects to support the creative sector’s survival and adaptation and to enable it to reactivate and rebuild.
Dedicated funding and support measures include:
- Survival funding for independent creatives, small to medium arts and cultural organisations, and micro-businesses
- Funding for First Peoples focused initiatives
- Support for the contemporary music industry, live music venues, artists, workers and businesses in Melbourne’s CBD, suburbs and throughout regional Victoria
- Investment in Victoria’s screen industry
- Capital and operational funding for state-owned cultural institutions and venues
- Support for projects to make venues COVIDSafe and enable them to present outdoor events and performances
- Activation and programming support for state-owned venues, creative organisations and events
- Regional creative infrastructure projects for regional galleries.
This is in addition to broader Victorian Government measures and funding that have provided support for creative businesses and workers.
These include the Business Support Fund, and the Working for Victoria scheme, which has supported the employment of Victorian creative industries workers through initiatives such as Creative Workers in Schools and the Regional Gallery Digitisation Project.
For current Creative Victoria funding opportunities, visit the grants and support section of our website.
Visit Financial Support for information on support available through Creative Victoria, other government programs, and creative industries grants and opportunities.
The Commonwealth Government and the Victorian Government have announced economic support packages for businesses impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) including not for profits and sole traders.
We have compiled a summary of available programs on the Financial Support page of the COVID-19 section of our website.
We recommend that you contact Business Victoria (13 22 15 or business.vic.gov.au) for current advice and assistance.
For more information and to apply visit Business Victoria.
Creative Victoria
Creative Victoria is open to assist you, with staff working remotely. Creative Victoria has a Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure that we can continue to support and communicate with the sector through this situation, deliver programs, and make payments.
Creative Victoria’s funding programs have continued with some modifications where possible in the circumstances, especially in relation to support for international travel and public gatherings. We note that some projects may need to change given the current public health measures. We will accept changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms. Please contact program staff to discuss your project.
We have also introduced new programs to support the sector through the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19), including:
- Victorian Music Industry Recovery Program (now closed)
- Sustaining Creative Workers (now closed)
- Organisations Strategic Investment Fund (now closed)
- Victorian Live Music Venues program (now closed)
We will continue to publish information on future funding rounds and new opportunities on our website and via our digital channels, please keep in touch by subscribing to our eNews and following us on social media.
See our Grants and Support page for information on our suite of grants programs.
My funded project has been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). Will I need to give the funding back?
If you are a current funding recipient and you will not be able to deliver on your project, or your plans have been affected, please contact Creative Victoria program staff. We understand these are drastically changed circumstances and will provide as much flexibility as possible, including changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms.
Please get in touch with your Client Manager or funding program staff to discuss your needs. If you don’t know who best to speak with, contact our reception email and general telephone line and you will be directed to the right place.
Organisations funded through the Organisations Investment, Regional Partnerships and Major Performing Arts programs will continue to receive their funding, regardless of any changes and disruptions to their activities. This funding is secure through to June 2021, December 2021 or June 2022 depending on the agreements. The funding agreements for organisations that receive operational funding as special initiatives will also be honoured.
Note: we will accept changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms. Please speak with your Client Manager about your needs.
Given these extraordinary circumstances we will be as flexible as possible with reporting and acquittals, please contact program staff to discuss your needs.
For organisations that receive funding through the Organisations Investment Program, outcomes reporting for 2020 has been suspended.
The world has changed dramatically, and rapidly, since we undertook consultation last year for Victoria’s next creative industries strategy. Right now, we are focused on assessing the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensuring that Victorian creative institutions, organisations, events and individuals are supported.
The Creative State strategy is being reconsidered in light of the impacts of the current crisis.