Thousands of businesses have signed on to the Victorian Government’s economic stimulus program, offering rebates to operators for upgrading to digital technologies.
The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program (SBDAP) was announced in November, promising voucher rebates to eligible Victorian small businesses and sole traders for the products of selected digital suppliers. It is one part of business support measures being undertaken by the Victorian Government in response to the economic consequences of COVID-19.
The SBDAP is specifically designed as an incentive for smaller businesses to improve their digital capabilities, offering solutions in areas such as online reservation systems, accounting, staff management and legal services.
Businesses are required to trial, then purchase one of the approved products or services. They will then receive a rebate of $1,200 to pay for its use over the next year.
Business owners are also being offered access to free training and workshops to help them learn and assimilate technologies into their operation.
Last week eight more providers were added to the list of eligible vendors, being: Australian Good Food Guide, ServiceM8, QuickBooks, Reckon, Lawpath, Ecwid Inc, Trade Trak, and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.
They join existing vendors XERO, MYOB, Shopify, Mr Yum, Squarespace and Square. Victorian minister for Small Business, Jaala Pulford, flags that further service providers may yet be added, pending demand.
To be eligible, a product chosen for the businesses must be: not currently used by the business; an upgrade of an existing product, such as making an existing website facilitate e-commerce; or a product available under the program that the business used more than one year ago and would like to resume using.
SBDAP will not cover: renewals of existing product or software licences, minor updates to existing products, or products not listed as available under the program.
So far more than 6,250 Victorian businesses have signed up, beginning the free trial stage.
Businesses need to register before 28 February. More information and application HERE.