Everything you need to know about Victoria’s $200 regional travel vouchers: Business Victoria website down
The state government will release more travel vouchers after major tech issues plagued the scheme’s planned launch online and left users furious.
Victoria
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Holiday-hungry Victorians will be able to access an extra 30,000 regional tourism vouchers on Monday after more than 800,000 Victorians tried to access the state government’s website on Friday causing it to crash.
The government will now offer 150,000 vouchers over four rounds, upping the scheme after demand far exceeded expectations.
In one of the government’s big post-pandemic recovery plans, up to 40,000 vouchers worth $200 were up for grabs.
Victorians hoping to snare one of the now-sold out 40,000 vouchers in the first-round were met with disappointment when the Business Victoria website and mobile app crashed at 10am.
The tech issues come after the state government spruiked the much-awaited program and warned people to get in quick with the vouchers being handed out on a “first-come-first-served” basis.
A statement from Business Victoria said the website was “experiencing heavy demand for regional travel vouchers which resulted in the application page initially going offline followed by further disruption”.
“The ‘apply now’ button is currently removed from the page to allow people engaged in registering for the scheme to complete this process.
“Heavy demand upon the opening of the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme this morning caused significant issues accessing the website.”
By 10pm 40,000 Victorians had successfully registered for the scheme and all available vouchers were sold out.
However, earlier in the day, angry Victorians expressed their outrage on Twitter, with many initially unable to find the elusive ‘apply’ button on the website.
At 11am, one hour after the vouchers were meant to go live, the apply button appeared — with yet another error message on click-through.
“DJPR Grants Portal is currently down for maintenance. Please try again in 15 minutes,” the message read.
At 12pm Friday, Business Victoria said it had removed the ‘apply’ button as it worked through tech problems.
“We are currently experiencing a high demand on the website for the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme and have temporarily removed the ‘Apply now’ button to allow those currently registering to complete their application. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience,” the message on the website read.
Earlier Business Victoria said: “Business Victoria is currently experiencing unprecedented demand, with global capacity for the website reached as a consequence of significant interest in the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme. We are working quickly to resolve this issue.”
Opposition tourism spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said “Labor couldn’t run a chook raffle”.
“Regional tourism businesses have been smashed by Andrews’ lockdown, and now Labor has let them down again.
“Daniel Andrews owes Victorians who’ve wasted their time trying to apply for his failed scheme an apology.”
A spokesperson for the state government said they “recognise the serious inconvenience caused to many people by the website issues”
“These extra vouchers will mean even more people have the chance to get out and about in regional Victoria this summer,” the spokesperson said.
“Victorians are clearly excited by the prospect and the extra money poured into communities across Victoria will provide a real boost for businesses and jobs.”
This the first of three rounds where 40,000 travel vouchers will be made available for Victorians to spend in country areas across the summer and into 2021.
While the scheme aims to promote spending in regional towns, metro-Melbourne councils Frankston City and Cardinia Shire are listed as areas where the vouchers can be spent.
The $200 travel vouchers can only be spent on tours, accommodation and tourism attractions.
The state government said parts of these council areas were covered by a Regional Tourism Board and were included in the scheme.
Here’s everything you need to know about the vouchers.
WHAT ARE THE VOUCHERS?
A $200 travel credit to spend in regional Victoria, as part of the state government’s regional travel voucher scheme.
WHAT CAN I USE THE VOUCHERS FOR?
Accommodation, tours or tourism attractions.
WHAT CAN’T I USE THE VOUCHERS FOR?
Gaming, alcohol (except if alcohol is included in wine/brewery/distillery tasting type tour but excludes any alcohol purchased and consumed outside of the experience), fuel, food and drinks (except where packaged with an Eligible Expense such as a winery tour), groceries
personal items such as clothing and accessories, transport costs (rental vehicles, train and bus ticket.)
WHERE CAN I USE THE VOUCHERS?
All of regional Victoria including the Yarra Ranges and Mornington Peninsula. Scroll down for the full list of regional and rural council areas.
IS THERE A MINIMUM SPEND REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE?
You must spend at least $400 in regional Victoria.
IS THERE A MINIMUM LENGTH OF STAY?
You must stay at least two nights in accommodation in regional Victoria.
WILL EVERY VICTORIAN GET A VOUCHER?
Only 120,000 vouchers are being made available and you will need to apply.
WHEN CAN I TRAVEL?
If you’re successful in receiving a voucher through the first round, you must travel between 12 December, 2020 and 22 January, 2021.
WHEN CAN I APPLY?
The first round of vouchers will be available from Friday December 11 at 10am.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Register for a voucher via Business Victoria.
WHAT DOES THE REGISTRATION PROCESS INVOLVE?
1. Register for a voucher on the Business Victoria website.
2. If successful, receive a confirmation within 24 hours of applying.
3. Your application will be checked for eligibility, which may take five business days.
4. Receive an email with your pre-eligibility.
5. Book your holiday if you choose.
5. You’ll be placed on the Regional Travel Voucher Register.
6. Go on holiday.
WHEN SHOULD I REDEEM MY VOUCHER?
After being placed on the Regional Travel Voucher Register, you should redeem your voucher between 4 January and 5 February (round one), 11 March and 15 April (round two) and 10 May and 14 June (round 3)
HOW DO I REDEEM MY VOUCHER?
1. You will be sent a link during the eligible travel period to enable to make your claim.
2. You will be asked if you intend on taking your trip (if you haven’t already) or if you choose to relinquish the voucher.
3. After clicking the link, upload evidence of eligible expenditure from your trip (tax invoices or tax receipts for a value of at least $400).
WHAT EVIDENCE WILL I NEED TO PROVE I HAVE TRAVELLED?
Either a tax invoice or receipt from your accommodation or tourism provider.
I‘VE LOST MY TRAVEL RECEIPTS. CAN I STILL REDEEM MY VOUCHER AND CLAIM MY $200 REIMBURSEMENT?
To redeem your voucher, you will need to provide evidence of eligible expenditure from your trip. This means you will need to provide tax invoices and receipts for a value of at least $400.
WHEN WILL THE MONEY ARRIVE IN MY ACCOUNT?
Within 10 days of making your claim to your nominated bank account. Funds will only be deposited into your account between 11 January and 12 February (round one), 18 March and 22 April (round two) and 17 March and 21 June (round three).
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS OUT ON THE FIRST ROUND?
Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A further 40,000 vouchers will be available in a second round, on January 20 (for travel between January 27 and April 1, 2021) and a final 40,000 vouchers will be available in a third round on March 30 (travel between April 6 and May 31, 2021.)
I GOT A VOUCHER IN ROUND 1. CAN I USE IT IN ROUND 2 OR ROUND 3?
No. Vouchers are only eligible for use during the eligible travel period in the round of allocation.
WHAT HAPPENS IF ALL VOUCHERS AREN'T EXHAUSTED THE IN FIRST ROUND?
It is expected all 40,000 will be exhausted after they are made available online, however, in the instance they are not used they will be rolled over and made available in rounds two and three.
WHEN DO THE VOUCHERS EXPIRE?
If you are successful in receiving a voucher, you must travel within the dates outlined in your round.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Victorian residents aged 18 years and over. Vouchers are limited to one household.
CAN MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN MY HOUSEHOLD APPLY?
No. There are limits to one person per household.
I HAVE ALREADY BOOKED A HOLIDAY. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THE VOUCHER?
Yes, you are. As long as your holidays meets the criteria to use the voucher.
CAN MELBURNIANS SPEND THE VOUCHER IN THE CITY?
No, you must spend the vouchers in regional Victoria.
I LIVE IN REGIONAL VICTORIA. CAN I USE THE VOUCHER IN MY HOMETOWN?
Yes, but the voucher must be used on paid accommodation for at least two nights to be eligible for reimbursement.
CAN REGIONAL VICTORIANS USE THE VOUCHER IN MELBOURNE?
No, you must spend the vouchers in regional Victoria.
CAN I USE THE VOUCHER FOR FOOD AND DRINKS AT A REGIONAL VICTORIAN CAFE, RESTAURANT OR PUB?
No, the vouchers cannot be used to redeem meals or drinks.
CAN THE VOUCHERS REDEEM MEALS OR DRINKS AT A REGIONAL VICTORIAN CAFE, RESTAURANT OR PUB IF IT IS CONNECTED TO AN ACCOMMODATION FACILITY?
It can only be used in this way if it is a booked culinary experience at an accommodation provider (Winery tour at Jackalope, or the breakfast component of a bed and breakfast.)
CAN YOU SPEND THE VOUCHERS VIA AIRBNB OR STAYZ?
Yes, accommodation can be through Airbnb and Stayz.
WHAT DOES PAID ACCOMMODATION MEAN?
Serviced apartments, backpacker and hostels, bed and breakfasts, cabins or caravans in holiday parks, caravan and camping site fees, cottages, farm stays, private holiday rentals, houseboats, motels, hotels, resorts, retreats and lodges.
DOES THE $400 SPEND NEED TO BE MADE IN ONE TRANSACTION OR CAN IT BE THE TOTAL OF MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS?
It can be multiple transactions.
WHERE IN REGIONAL VICTORIA CAN I VISIT WITH THE VOUCHER?
There are 48 regional and rural council areas where you can use your voucher, including: Alpine, Ararat, Ballarat, Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Benalla, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Colac Otway, Corangamite, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Hepburn, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Indigo, Latrobe, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Mildura, Mitchell, Moira, Moorabool, Mount Alexander, Moyne, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Queenscliffe, South Gippsland, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Surf Coast, Swan Hill, Towong, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Wellington, West Wimmera, Wodonga and Yarriambiack.
Vouchers can also be used at the state’s alpine resorts, including:
Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Stirling, Lake Mountain and Falls Creek.
The regional vouchers will also include the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Ranges, on islands Lady Julia Percy (off Port Fairy), French Island (in Western Port Bay) and Gabo Island (off Mallacoota) and both metro areas Frankston and Cardinia council areas.
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