Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program

The Queensland Government has once again upped its game to help its Business’ with the announcement of a new grant program.

Small businesses in Queensland can now apply for grants worth up to $10,000 to help soften the blow from COVID-19.

The $100 million program comes as Queensland announces a raft of stimulus initiatives that will go toward community developments, the tourism industry, community legal services and roadwork The program aims to see small and micro businesses:

• prepare for the safe resumption of trading in the post COVID-19 recovery
• access digital technologies to rebuild business operations and transition to a new way of doing business
• respond to online opportunities, where possible, to sustain employment and maintain potential for longer-term growth
• up-skill and re-skill business owners and staff to benefit from new technologies or business models
• embrace business diversification to adapt and sustain operations
• create or retain employment.

What can the grant be used for?

In recognition of the significant impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses, the funding can be used towards the following:

• financial, legal or other professional advice to support business sustainability and diversification
• strategic planning, financial counselling or business coaching aligned to business development and diversification
• building the business through marketing and communications activities, for example, content development (web pages, mobile apps, visual and audio media etc.)
• digital/technological strategy development
• digital training or re-training to adapt to new business models
• capital costs associated with meeting COVID-19 SAFE requirements
• specialised digital equipment or business specific software to move business operations online (e.g. logistics program for online ordering)
• meeting business costs, including utilities, rent.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, the business must:

• have been subject to closure or otherwise highly impacted by current shutdown restrictions announced by Queensland's Chief Health Officer on 23 March 2020
• demonstrate that business revenue has been significantly impacted since 23 March 2020 over a minimum 1-month period due to the onset and management of COVID-19
• employ staff and have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) active as at 23 March 2020
• be registered for GST
• have a Queensland headquarters
• have an annual turnover over $75,000 for the last financial year
• have a payroll of less than $1.3 million
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Note - Only 1 application will be accepted from an individual ABN or a financial beneficiary of a business. If you believe you may be eligible, please reach out to one of our advisors on 07 5504 5700