In response to the COVID-19 lockdown for South East Queensland from 4pm, Saturday 31 July, the QLD Government has announced a $260 million 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant program for lockdown-impacted businesses in Queensland.
Business Support Grants
Updated 18 August
Applications for the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants opened at 12pm 16 August 2021 and will close on 16 November 2021. All eligible businesses who apply for a grant during the 3-month application period will receive funding. A new joint Queensland and Australian Government support package for Queensland businesses has been announced.
Grants of between $10,000 and $30,000 will be made available to small and medium businesses, large tourism and hospitality businesses and not for profit organisations across Queensland affected by the August 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns, depending on the size of your annual payroll in Queensland. The grant may be used for business expenses.
Available funding
Tiered payments based on payroll size for eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations across Queensland are available as follows:
- $10,000 grant to employing small businesses and not-for-profits organisations with an annual payroll in Queensland of less than $1.3 million.
- $15,000 grant to employing medium-sized business and not-for-profit organisations with an annual payroll in Queensland of between $1.3 million and $10 million.
- $30,000 grant to employing large-sized tourism and hospitality focused businesses and not-for-profit organisations with annual payroll in Queensland of greater than $10 million.
- A $1,000 one-off grant to non-employing sole traders has also been announced, and further information about eligibility requirements will be available shortly.
Eligibility
- Must employ staff (employees must be on your payroll and does not include any business owners).
- Must have a Queensland headquarters.
- Must have an annual turnover of more than $75,000.
- Must have an annual payroll in Queensland which is subject to certain thresholds based on the size of the business or not-for-profit organisation.
- Must show or declare a reduction in turnover of 30% or more for a 1-week period that includes at least 1 full day of the:
- South East Queensland lockdown commencing 31 July 2021
- the Cairns and Yarrabah lockdown commencing 8 August 2021 or
- any other lockdown in Queensland in August 2021.
In addition to this, large tourism and hospitality businesses and large not for profit organisations must operate in the tourism and hospitality sector. You can check the ANZSIC codes for your eligibility via the following link:
You will need to apply online with supporting evidence through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) portal via the following link:
https://applyonline.qrida.qld.gov.au/auth/login
Applications for the non-employing sole trader $1,000 grant are not to be submitted via the QRIDA portal. Application details for this grant will be available in the coming days and you can register your interest via the following link:
https://qldtreasury.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8p6Pl1s2QbI7hUq
You are able to check your eligibility via the following link:
Next Steps
- Consult with an advisor at Cutcher & Neale regarding the eligibility requirements
- Apply via QRIDA portal from 12pm Monday 16 August 2021 to 16 November 2021
COVID-19 Disaster Payment
The Federal Government has expanded the existing COVID-19 Disaster Payment support available to individuals living in declared COVID-19 hotspots in South-East Queensland.
Weekly disaster payments can be claimed by individuals who have lost more than 8 hours or a full day of work in a week. The payments that will be made available to eligible Queenslanders who have had their work hours impacted by the lockdown, will be as follows:
- $750 per week if they have lost 20 hours or more of work
- $450 per week if they have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours or a full day of work
- An extra $200 for people who already receive an income support payment if they’ve lost more than 8 hours of work and still meet the other eligibility requirements.
If you’re a member of a couple, you can both claim this payment. You and your partner will need to make separate claims.
To get the payment, you need to meet all eligibility rules that apply.
Eligibility
- You're an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia.
- You're 17 years or older.
- You didn’t get an income support payment, Education Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance during the payment period.
- You didn’t get the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment for the same period.
- You lost income and didn’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements.
- You lived in, worked from or visited a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot that is subject to a state restricted movement order.
- You have been unable to earn your usual income of 8 hours or more, or a full day’s work because you were in the COVID-19 hotspot and were subject to restricted movement.
Next Steps
- Consult with an advisor at Cutcher & Neale regarding the eligibility requirements
- Apply via myGov from Saturday 7 August 2021
- To apply, you will need:
-
- a myGov account
- proof of identity
- to apply for support
- to answer the eligibility and claim questions
- to submit your claim
