May 18, 2020
Eligible small businesses in Queensland can now apply for a up to $10,000 under a new $100 million package to help them counter the impact of COVID-19.
The grants program was announced on Tuesday as part of the State Government’s “Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs” package.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new program had been developed to assist small businesses which had been forced into hibernation to restructure, significantly change their business operations or move online.
“Small businesses represent 97 per cent of all businesses and employ over 970,000 people or 45 per cent of the State’s private sector workforce,” the Premier said.
“We know small businesses have been doing it really tough due to the pandemic.
“These grants will provide immediate support to help them get back on their feet and come out stronger on the other side.”
Small Business Minister Shannon Fentiman said the Small Business Adaption Grants would assist businesses be more resilient and recover.
“Small businesses, including micro businesses, can apply for a share in the grants program to help pay for financial, legal or other professional advice, marketing and communications activities and digital or technology strategy development,” she said.
“The grants can also be used to buy specialised digital equipment or business specific software to help move the business online.
“Many events, workplaces, classes and sales have moved online and small businesses need to make sure they have the tools and resources to be competitive in these challenging times.
“We also realise that businesses may not currently have the financial resources to co-fund, so we won’t require matched funding which will better support our local businesses.”
The State Government will provide up to $10,000 for each project.
Applications are now open and will close when the funding has been exhausted.
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To be eligible, the business must:
- Have been subject to closure or otherwise highly impacted by the shutdown restrictions announced by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer on March 23
- Demonstrate that business revenue has been significantly impacted since March 23 over a minimum one-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 March 23
- 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.
More information is available online
