Victoria has announced a $250 million scheme to help locked-down companies, but the Federal Government is refusing to help. 

The Victorian Government announced the $250 million business support package over the weekend, aimed at 90,000 companies during the state’s latest lockdown. 

The package includes $190 million in $2,500 grants for businesses, $40.7 million in $3,500 grants for liquor licence and food certificate holders and $20 million for event operators.

While announcing the plan, Victoria’s Treasurer Tim Pallas said requests for contributions from the federal government are being refused. 

“The Commonwealth's view is that if these are short-term circuit breakers, then the states should pay for them,” Mr Pallas said.

The Federal Government has rejected calls for a new JobKeeper wage subsidy program to help.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Commonwealth has already done enough. 

“We will continue to support Victoria through the pandemic leave payment, through the emergency cash assistance, through the social security system,” he said. 

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt agreed the higher tier of government has nothing more to do. 

“We have four ongoing measures, which are supporting Victorians. One is the pandemic leave disaster payment of $1500. Two: is the national health emergency crisis payment,” Mr Hunt said.

“Three of course, there is the ongoing business support of the loss carryback program, for any business which may make a loss during the course of this financial year, where they can receive a rebate against profits from previous years.

“Then of course there are the immediate expensing measures.”

On Sunday, federal Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said casual workers “could go to Centrelink”.

“And if you're eligible, you've lost a complete week's work or two weeks work, then you might be eligible for these emergency health payments,” he told ABC's Insiders.

“For those people who find themselves in circumstances where they have completely lost their income. Then they should go to Centrelink and see whether their eligible for payments.”

Workers must be positive for COVID-19 - or deemed a close contact - to claim paid pandemic leave.