From today, 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 Melbourne).
Great news regional Victoria – it’s finally our time to get our hands on some free money.
Building on the success of the Melbourne Money programs – where diners in the city could claim a certain percentage off their dining bills just by uploading a receipt from cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars – 60 million dollars in rebates are now being offered across Victoria to stimulate the state’s hospitality and entertainment sectors.
The key takeaways
- New dining and entertainment program has arrived, giving Victorians up to $125 off their bill
- The dining scheme is offering 25-percent rebates on eating out across the state (not Melbourne) when you spent more than $40
- Similarily, the entertainment program is offering 25-percent rebates when Victorians spend $40 or more on eligible entertainment experiences including cinemas, live performances, museums, galleries and more
Keep up with the latest food and booze news via our website.
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 will kick off on Tuesday 29 March, offering customers reimbursements of 25 per cent 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. Melbourne already has the Melbourne Money scheme so this is for everyone else beyond the city borders.
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.
Great news for #GreaterGeelong foodies and entertainment lovers – starting tomorrow, you can claim back 25% of your bill, up to $125, when you spend $40 or more – part of the @VicGovAu‘s Dining and Entertainment Program.
Details and T&Cs: 👉https://t.co/Z6JxHgA1Zb pic.twitter.com/gwlLkyvljN
— City of Greater Geelong (@GreaterGeelong) March 28, 2022
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. Tickets must be purchased from today’s date, however, the date of the actual event can be at any time in the future. This program kicks off at 3pm on Tuesday, March 29, and comes in a first-in, first-served arrangement.
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.
