![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rebecca-Casson-MBV-2-300x262.jpg\")
The Victorian Government has now agreed to this change.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, building and construction industry businesses must apply to upgrade to a White Card to access this funding, which is a major time and cost inconvenience,\u201d Ms Casson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cheapest process is to redo the training, which takes up to eight hours and can cost up to $250, depending on where you do the training.<\/p>\n
\u201cMBV is the leading voice in the building and construction industry, and we are therefore pleased that the Victorian Government has listened to us and agreed to amend the criteria for this scheme to allow Red Cards to be accepted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith many of our members still struggling financially from the effects of prolonged lockdowns, we encourage all our members to apply for this grant.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, if the fund is undersubscribed by the deadline date, MBV will continue to work with the Victorian Government on the criteria to ensure that the grants can be provided to those businesses that need them the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of our members that work in the renovations sector are excluded from the round four grant because they received the one-off COVID Hardship payment,\u201d Ms Casson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, these businesses weren\u2019t permitted to work inside occupied premises for more than 145 days over the past 18 months, and it is now vital that any undersubscribed grant money is directed to this sector \u2013 especially as they work to recover their business operations.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Master Builders Victoria has successfully advocated to the Victorian Government to amend the application process for its Business Costs Assistance Program round four \u2013 construction grants ensuring hundreds more building and construction businesses can access the support system. The scheme provides one-off payments to eligible employing and non-employing businesses in the building and construction sector […]<\/p>\n