VIC Hospitality Security Fund

Purpose and Program Overview

The Hospitality Security Fund is a Victorian Government grant program that supports licensed hospitality businesses to install or upgrade security and fire safety systems and equipment. The fund forms part of a broader effort to protect hospitality staff and patrons, prevent crime, and contribute to safer public business precincts in inner-city Melbourne.

Grants of $5,000 to $25,000 are available to eligible businesses to help cover the cost of security and fire prevention upgrades. The fund is delivered as a rebate, meaning payment is made only after an approved project has been completed, assessed, and acquitted.

The program is administered by Business Victoria and is targeted at businesses operating in four designated local government areas that have been identified as priority locations for hospitality security improvements.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $5,000 (Security Uplift Grant) or up to $25,000 (Direct Impact Grant)
• Application opening date: 3 July 2026
• Application closing date: 4:00 pm, 28 August 2026, or earlier if all funds are allocated
• Eligible industries: Licensed hospitality businesses within eligible ANZSIC industry classes
• Required co-contribution: $5,000 minimum for the Security Uplift Grant; no co-contribution required for the Direct Impact Grant
• Location applicability: City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington, and City of Yarra (Victoria)

Priority Sectors

The fund is limited to the accommodation and food services sector, specifically licensed hospitality venues. It is not open to businesses outside this sector.

Funding Scope

The Hospitality Security Fund is delivered through two grant streams:

• Security Uplift Grant: A fixed grant of $5,000, requiring a matched co-contribution of at least $5,000 from the business. Available to eligible businesses regardless of whether they have experienced fire-related crime.
• Direct Impact Grant: A grant of $5,000 to $25,000 for businesses whose venue has experienced direct fire-related criminal damage investigated by Operation Eclipse since 1 March 2026. No co-contribution is required.

Grants are paid as a rebate following completion, assessment, and acquittal of the approved project. Applications close at 4:00 pm on 28 August 2026, or earlier if funds are fully allocated.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for either grant stream, a business must:

• Employ fewer than 50 employees (by headcount)
• Be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
• Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) continuously from 27 April 2026
• Be registered for GST continuously from 27 April 2026
• Hold an eligible liquor licence continuously from 27 April 2026
• Be registered and operate in an eligible ANZSIC industry class continuously from 27 April 2026
• Operate an eligible venue with regular public night-time trading hours past 6:00 pm
• Not be insolvent, and have no owners or directors who are undischarged bankrupts
• Operate a venue located within the City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington, or City of Yarra

Businesses applying for a Direct Impact Grant must additionally demonstrate that their venue was directly affected by fire-related crime investigated by Operation Eclipse, supported by a Victoria Police report (Notice to the Victim) and a statutory declaration.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Grant funds may be used to support security and fire safety upgrades, including:

• Security and/or fire suppression audits
• CCTV camera installation or upgrades
• Motion detectors
• Alarm systems
• Emergency lighting
• Fire suppression upgrades, such as sprinkler systems
• Emergency security and response training

An eligible business may receive only one grant per eligible venue. Businesses operating multiple venues under a single ABN must submit a separate application for each venue.

Assessment Process

The Hospitality Security Fund operates on an eligibility basis rather than a competitive merit assessment, subject to available funding. Applications are assessed against the eligibility criteria set out in the program guidelines, and successful applicants must complete, and acquit, their project before the rebate is paid. Applications and grant expenditure may be audited by the Department, the Victorian Government, or the Victorian Auditor-General for up to four years from the program’s opening date.

Recent Program Updates

The Hospitality Security Fund opened for applications on 3 July 2026, with a closing date of 28 August 2026 or earlier if funds are exhausted. The Direct Impact Grant stream is linked to fire-related criminal incidents investigated under Operation Eclipse from 1 March 2026 onward, reflecting a targeted response to recent incidents of fire-related crime affecting hospitality venues in inner Melbourne.

Application Tips

• Confirm the venue is located within one of the four eligible local government areas before applying
• Prepare key documents in advance, including the liquor licence certificate, ABN details, and WorkCover Insurance Certificate of Currency
• For the Direct Impact Grant, obtain the Victoria Police report (Notice to the Victim) and prepare the required statutory declaration early, as these are mandatory supporting documents
• Ensure ABN, GST registration, and liquor licence have been held continuously since 27 April 2026, as this is a fixed eligibility date
• Include photographs of the venue’s current state and clear evidence of estimated project costs
• Apply early, as applications may close before the stated deadline if funding is fully allocated
• Retain all eligibility and expenditure records for the full audit period, as repayment may be required for unspent or non-compliant funds

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Hospitality Security Fund and other associated Australian government websites.