You'll also be able to get 25 per cent back when you go to a cinema, theatre, museum, gallery or live-music venue.
Victorians are set to enjoy cashback on dining, travel and entertainment as part of a huge new voucher scheme announced on Monday in another effort from the government to reinvigorate the state following the Omicron surge early this year.
Building on the previous ‘Melbourne Money’ rebate program – a Victorian Government initiative which allowed diners to claim 25 per cent off their dining bills just by uploading a receipt from cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars – a new $201 million stimulus package has been revealed to support struggling businesses across the state.
What you need to know
- The City of Melbourne and Vic Government is relaunching its Melbourne Money rebate program, offering 25 per cent rebate at restaurants, bars and cafes
- A $30 million regional offshoot of Melbourne Money, meaning Victorians will be able to get the same offer right across the state
- The travel voucher program will be extended with an extra 150,000 vouchers worth $200 made available
- A 25 per cent rebate on visits to cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, live music venues and other events across the state will also come into effect
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Cobrating the financial hardship for local businesses in Melbourne’s CBD, $10 million has been pledged to relaunch the Melbourne Money project in early to mid-March, enticing diners back into the city’s bars, cafes and restaurants by reimbursing part of their bill. The rebate will be slightly higher this time round and those who eat in the CBD from Monday to Thursday will be able to apply for rebates of 25 per cent of their dining bill if they spend more than $40.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula also announced 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.
In a boost for the tourism sector, the stimulus package also includes $30 million to extend the wildly popular travel voucher program. An extra 150,000 vouchers will be made available, with Victorians who spend at least $400 on paid accommodation, experiences, tours or attractions within the state able to claim $200 back.
“Importantly, this time 10,000 of those vouchers will be set aside and effectively pre-released under a separate process for seniors,” Mr Pakula said.
“They will be able to register online and go into a ballot.”
Alongside these well-loved schemes, there’ll be $30 million in entertainment vouchers made available. Assistant Treasurer and Minister for creative industries Danny Pearson announced a 25 per cent rebate on visits to cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, live music venues and other events across the state.
Mr Pakula said the Melbourne Money scheme will launch around March 7 and they hope to have the travel vouchers online a few weeks later while the entertainment and state-wide dining vouchers will more likely launch at the end of March.
More information on the package will be provided on the Business Victoria website.
