The Midweek Melbourne Money rebate program is back, offering 25 per cent rebates to diners across the entire City of Melbourne municipality between Monday–Thursday.
Time to hit the V-line for a midweek night out, dinner in the city just got 25-per cent cheaper thanks to the return of the Midweek Melbourne Money scheme – a Victorian Government initiative which allowed diners to claim a certain percentage off their dining bills just by uploading a receipt from cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.
Announced last month as part of the Victorian Government’s new $201 million stimulus package to support struggling businesses across the state, Midweek Melbourne Money is back to offer residents and visitors to the city an extra incentive to dine out at restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars in Melbourne’s CBD, with $10 million pledged to the relaunch of the project.
What you need to know
- Midweek Melbourne Money is back, giving residents and visitors up to $125 off their bill
- The scheme is offering 25-percent rebates on eating out across the entire CBD between Monday–Thursday.
- Scheme will be open to everyone who dines during the week with no caps on the number of claims
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Kicking off on Monday, March 7, this year’s rebate is slightly higher, with those who eat in the CBD from Monday to Thursday eligible to apply for rebates of 25 per cent of their dining bill if they spend between $40–500 (including GST).
The offer applies to food and drink purchases anywhere that meals are sold in the city such as restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as bars, clubs, breweries and distilleries. Fast food and takeaway outlets, juice bars and kiosks are also eligible. Alcohol is included, provided it is combined with dine-in food purchases.
Among the places that aren’t eligible include mobile food trucks, vans, canteens, trailers and pop-up restaurants; catering, function and reception centres; private river cruises; convenience stores, milk bars, supermarkets, greengrocer, grocery store and service stations and confectionery shops and packaged food stores, playing to the fact the rebates are to encourage people to dine out in the city.
There’s $10 million available in total and it works on a first-in, first-served basis with the scheme running until funds are exhausted. So, if you’re wanting to cash in, we recommend heading out as soon as the scheme starts and submitting your claim for a rebate immediately afterwards.
It should be noted though, you’ll need to pay your bill in total when you’re ordering and then you’ll get funds back afterwards. You’ll need to get an itemised receipt at the time of payment, then take a photo of it and upload it to the Melbourne Money website. Within five working days, you’ll then receive your rebate via a transfer to your bank account once the claim has been approved.
Soon, regional Victorians will be able to cash in on this offer, with the arrival of a $30 million regional offshoot of Melbourne Money, which means you can get the same 25 per cent rebate at restaurants, bars and cafes right across the state – not just in the inner city. So regional Victoria, when the offshoot comes in we’ll also be able to get up to $125 back on our bills when we spend a minimum of $40, and a maximum of $500, at a Victorian venue from Monday to Thursday. This program is expected to open on 29 March 2022.
Alongside these well-loved schemes, there’ll be $30 million in entertainment vouchers made available, offering a 25 per cent rebate on visits to cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, live music venues and other events across the state, as well as 150,000 travel vouchers made available, with Victorians who spend at least $400 on paid accommodation, experiences, tours or attractions within the state able to claim $200 back.
The Midweek Melbourne Money scheme has kicked off this week and will run until funds are exhausted. For more information, head here, or go to the City of Melbourne and Victorian Government websites.
