The latest data from analytics consulting firm Taylor Fry reveals central Victorian communities are among the state's most financially impacted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Victorian job losses are the worst in the nation, peaking at 9.2 per cent in mid-April and recovering to 7.6 per cent of jobs lost by mid-June, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Taylor Fry director Jonas Christensen said Victoria has been slower to recover as a result of the lingering spread of COVID-19 and a slower easing of restrictions.
"Although the state's worst hit areas are located in Melbourne's urban ring, the Bendigo region has also seen a significant financial impact from the pandemic," Mr Christensen said.
"Since the last update of the COVID-19 Financial Impact Index in June, the Bendigo region has remained highly impacted by job and wage losses.
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The index provides an estimate of financial impact by considering income and expenditure.
"Bendigo is among the worst hit in the central Victoria region because of its urban population," Mr Christensen said.
"These people are more likely to have jobs that require physical contact.
"Big industries of employment such as hospitality, retail, healthcare and social services continue to be highly impacted by job losses, as they all rely on physical contact to some extent."
Victoria's agriculture industry has also been battered, with jobs down 12.5 per cent as of June 13, compared to a nine per cent dip nationally.
State Treasurer Tim Pallas announced an additional $534 million economic relief package for businesses on Friday.
The measures include cash grants for struggling businesses, mental health support for business owners and relief for tourism operators.
A $40m capped fund for regional tourism businesses aims to cover the cost of refunds and marketing campaigns to boost region-to-region visitation while Melbourne is locked down.
"This is a blow for the Victorian economy and our hard-working businesses, but our economy is robust enough to help us get through to the other side," Mr Pallas said.
Bendigo Tourism Board chair and owner of Chancery Lane's The Dispensary bar and diner Finn Vedelsby said the past couple of weeks provided a welcome surge in visitation to Bendigo and surrounds.
"Melbourne people were keen to get out to the regions and happy to spend their money they hadn't been able to spend," Mr Vedelsby said.
"With the new lockdown announced, we have lost 70 per cent of our reservations this weekend."
You can view the full financial index here.
