In response to the South East Queensland (SEQ) lockdown, the Queensland and Australian governments have announced further support for Queensland businesses. Please read the following information about what support is now available.

 

COVID-19 Business Support Grants

COVID-19 Business Support Grants of $5000 are available to eligible employing small and medium businesses across Queensland that have been impacted by the SEQ lockdown, which came into effect on Saturday 31 July 2021. Businesses do not have to be located in SEQ to access the grant, but must have experienced at least a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the lockdown. The payment is also available to businesses impacted by lockdowns in other states. Grants will also be available for large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector operating in the 11 Local Government Areas in the lockdown, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Applications for grants will open from mid-August, with further information available on the Business Queensland website in the coming days. For more information including eligibility criteria, visit: 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants for lockdown-impacted businesses in Queensland

 

COVID-19 Disaster Payments

The Australian Government has announced that the COVID-19 Disaster Payments will be extended to people affected by Queensland COVID-19 hotspots and restrictions. Further information on eligibility criteria and the opening date for applications will be available on the Services Australia website.

 

Tourism Business Financial Counsellors

Tourism businesses can contact one of the Queensland Government funded Tourism Business Financial Counsellors or COVID-19 Small Business Counsellors who can assist with identifying potential sources of funding and business support.

The counsellors provide free confidential assistance to businesses to:

• Understanding their finances: not everyone goes into businesses with an accounting background. A financial counsellor can help businesses to better understand their finances and introduce better ways to manage the financial side of their business.
• Accessing government assistance: national, state and local governments have many programs and grants that are designed to support small business financial counsellor can help businesses find these and determine if they’re eligible to apply.
• Dealing with debt: for businesses having trouble servicing their debts, a financial counsellor can work with them to get control of debts and negotiate or structure a manageable solution before it’s too late.
• Referrals: when additional expert financial, legal or human resource advice is needed, financial counsellors can refer businesses to the Tourism Business Professional Advice Rebate so a business can receive a rebate of up to $2500 based on matched funding for these additional professional services. Counsellors can also assist to connect people with specialist social and welfare support.

To find your region’s local financial counsellor please visit the DTIS website.

 

Queensland Small Business Commissioner support

If your business has suffered a reduction in turnover due COVID-19, you may also be able to receive support from the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, including services in negotiating commercial rent relief and resolving business disputes. For further information, please contact the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.

 

More information

A summary of all of the government grants available for the tourism industry is attached here.

More information and updates for tourism operators are available on the Tourism and Events Queensland website.

You can use the Queensland Government Business Assistance Finder tool to understand the other support that may be available to your business.

If you are a tourism business and have any questions about COVID Safe planning or applying the Public Health Directions to your business, you can contact the COVID-19 Tourism Response Team by

emailing tourismresponse@dtis.qld.gov.au

More information and a full list of restrictions is available on the Queensland Health website here.