Until the end of the month, Victorians across the entire state can claim up to $125 off cinemas, galleries, live performances and dining (outside of City of Melbourne).
Alright people, time to save those precious dollars you’ve worked so hard for while still enjoying the best the region has to offer. Time to be savvy with your money: buy tickets now to save big. Until the end of the month, Victorians across the entire state can claim 25 percent back when they spend $40 or more at cinemas, galleries, live performances and dining (outside of City of Melbourne municipality, so anywhere but the CBD).
From pottery classes to museum exhibitions, hot springs visits and winery lunches, the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program is getting people out and about enjoying the best that our state has to offer.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Announced in February as part of the Victorian Government’s new $201 million stimulus package to support struggling businesses across the state, the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program kicked off in March, offering customers reimbursements of 25 percent on eligible purchases across the state.
With the dining part of the new program, which has been funded with $30 million, you can claim 25 per cent back on your bill when you spend at least $40 in hospitality venues anywhere in Victoria outside of the City of Melbourne municipality. More info on the specifics here.
The offer applies to food and drink purchases anywhere that meals are sold in the region 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. Also included in the program is food at restaurants and cafes within hotels; hospitality venues at sporting, arts and theatre precincts; food courts; at cinemas; and at mobile food trucks, vans, canteens and trailers.
This is only available for dining experiences between Monday and Thursday. The rebate is not available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday dining. The offer will be on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted, with claims currently open.
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On the entertainment side of things, this $30 million Victorian Entertainment Program encourages people to seek out the state’s world-class entertainment experiences to support the industry after the Omicron wave. From Tuesday 29 March, customers can claim a rebate of 25 per cent of their purchase when they spend $40 or more on eligible entertainment experiences including cinemas, live performances, museums, galleries, theme parks and amusement parks, live music gigs, fashion shows, zoos, comedy, and more.
Rebates can be claimed for entertainment experiences anywhere in Melbourne and Victoria attended on any day of the week. Sports and sporting events (which includes entry to sporting facilities, season passes, sport classes, personal fitness and any sport events) aren’t covered, however.
Whatever event you choose to attend, you need to spend at least $40 and then you can claim back 25 percent of the total cost. Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula today confirmed that there have been over 580,000 successful claims since the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program launched.
Over a quarter of entertainment claims, 28 per cent, so far are for theatre and performing arts, with popular choices including Hamilton and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Cinema purchases are close behind, accounting for 26 per cent of claims.
Live music performances have featured prominently with 13 per cent of customers claiming for gigs. Hai Di Lao, Dumpling Alley, Shanghai Red and Phoenix Soars take the top four spots on the claims list for customers dining in or collecting a takeaway in person.
Almost two-thirds of claimants surveyed said the program was a key reason for making their purchase or spending more than they would have otherwise. Businesses and customers are encouraged to get in quick to benefit from the program before it closes on Thursday 30 June or when funds run out – whichever happens first. Individuals can claim a combined total of up to $125 back.
So how do you claim your 25 per cent rebate?
- Customer pays for their entertainment experience in full and receives an itemised tax invoice or proof of purchase from the business
- Customer uploads their proof of purchase or tax invoice and their contact information, bank details, date and total bill amount via the secure Victorian Entertainment Program claim OR Victorian Dining Program claim .
- The customer’s 25 per cent rebate is credited to their nominated bank account within five business days of their claim being approved.
Once more, the offer will be on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted and each customer can claim up to $125 in combined rebates across the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program.
You can find out more information and submit your claims here.
