The state government have this week announced grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses affected by COVID-19 to adapt and sustain their operations. These grants can be used to up-skill staff, prepare for the resumption of business, respond to on-line opportunities and more.
Here are some of the details!
The available grant amount is up to a maximum of $10,000 per eligible small or micro business.
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.
Grant funds can also be used towards any of the above activities occurring from 23 March 2020 onwards, keeping in mind the project must be completed within a maximum of 6 months from the date of approval.
Funding will be paid upon approval of your grant application.
Within 1 month of completing the project, applicants must:
- complete and submit an acquittal report through SmartyGrants
- submit copies of supplier invoices and proof of purchase for the total project cost.
- Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at 5:00PM 30 June 2020
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.
- Only 1 application will be accepted from an individual ABN or a financial beneficiary of a business.
