Coronavirus Financial Support

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QLD Government COVID-19 Economic Relief Package

The QLD Government has announced multiple initiatives to provide support to businesses and employees impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Please click the links provided to access further details and relevant application processes. Further assistance is also available from the Small Business & Financial Assistance Hotline (Ph: 1300 654 687), the COVID-19 Business Assistance Finder and the Business Queensland Coronavirus (COVID-19) website. 

Queensland COVID-19 2021 Business Support Grants 

*Please note that applications are no longer being accepted for employing businesses, not-for-profit organisations and non-employing sole traders.

Employing businesses can track the status of existing submitted application by visiting the QRIDA portal.

Queensland businesses and not-for-profit organisations may have been eligible for financial support through the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants. Initial grants will be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland impacted by the South East Queensland lockdown commencing 31 July 2021, or the Cairns and Yarrabah lockdown commencing 8 August 2021, or any other lockdown in the month of August 2021. Grants are also available for large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector operating in the 11 local government areas in the lockdowns, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. 

Your business does not have to be located in South East Queensland, but you must have experienced at least a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the lockdown. All eligible businesses who apply for a grant during the 3-month application period will receive funding. Further information is available from the Business Queensland website. 

A joint Queensland and Australian Government support package for Queensland businesses has also been announced. The package includes assistance for non-employing sole traders and expands on support for small, medium and large businesses. As part of the package, additional funding for businesses that have had a decline in turnover of more than 30 per cent will include:

• A $1,000 one-off grant to non-employing sole traders across Queensland
• Tiered payments based on payroll size for all businesses across Queensland:
  • A $5,000 one-off, top-up grant to small business with payroll of less than $1.3 million
  • A $10,000 one-off, top-up grant to medium sized business with payroll between $1.3 million and $10 million
• A $25,000 one-off, top-up grant to large sized tourism and hospitality focused businesses with payroll of greater than $10 million.

Further details and updates are available from the Business Queensland website. 

Border Business Zone Support will be provided to businesses along the border region in the areas of Coolangatta, Currumbin – Tugun, and Currumbin Waters and the border towns of Wallangarra, Goondiwindi and Mungindi including:

• Extension of the 2021 COVID-19 Business Supports Grants – eligibility criteria for the existing program was extended to include businesses located in the defined border region to assist those that have been particularly affected by ongoing border restrictions with New South Wales. Applications are now open for eligible businesses.
• COVID-19 Border Business Zone Hardship Grant – one-off grants of $5000 for employing businesses and $1000 for non-employing sole traders, will be available to eligible recipients of the COVID-19 Business Support Grants in the border business zone. These grants will become available in the event of an extended border closure. Businesses will be asked to register interest in this grant and will not need to submit a new application.  Grants may be available from mid-October 2021.

You should also check if you are eligible for a COVID-19 disaster payment from the Australian Government, if your income has been affected by the Queensland lockdowns. However, you are not able to receive both the disaster payment and the business support grant.

Queensland COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate Opens for Claims

This Queensland COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate supports small and medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations that have been listed as an exposure venue by Queensland Health to cover the cost of professional cleaning. Eligibility criteria to receive a rebate of up to 80% of the professional cleaning cost, capped at $10,000 per separate event. Please visit Queensland COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate 2021 for further details. 

Information for TOURISM BUSINESSES: 

This helpful fact sheet helps you understand what you are (and are not) required to do as a tourism or events business at the front-line. 

Further Assistance: 

• If you need help understanding what the Public Health Directions mean for your business, you can contact the Tourism Response Team - ph. 134 268 or via email: [email protected]
• The Australian and Queensland Government has developed a range of resources to support the emotional wellbeing of small business owners and their staff, including a small business owner's guide to creating a mental health and wellbeing plan. Access the resources and support here. 
• A summary of the financial support available for businesses can be found here, linking you out to the relevant information and websites.
• Feeling overwhelmed? It's ok to ask for help. Here is a list of 24/7 support available:
  
  • Beyond Blue 1800 512 348
  • Headspace 1800 650 890
  • Lifeline 13 11 14

Changes to restrictions in Queensland from 18 October 2021: The Queensland Government has announced changing of restrictions for businesses, households, public spaces and the QLD boarder with NSW. This is as Queensland reaches 70%, 80% and then 90% of the eligible population fully vaccinated. More details are available at QLD's Roadmap to Easing COVID-19 Restrictions; Businesses, activities and undertakings; COVID Safe Industry Plans and Gatherings, travel and recreation.

The QLD Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Assistance Finder has been developed to help businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic to discover what support is being offered from the Queensland Government, Australian Federal Government and Queensland Local Councils. 

Source: QLD Government

QLD International Student Assistance 

The Queensland Government has developed the International Student Assistance website to provide assistance to international students experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. Currently, the Queensland Government is working on a process to distribute: 

• Additional funding to Queensland-based universities and TAFE Queensland to top-up their bursaries and student support services.  
• One-off payments to private VET and ELICOS students. 

International students who require immediate crisis support should contact their education and training provider and the Queensland Student Hub Network to discuss their needs. You can also follow the Study Queensland Facebook page for further updates.

QLD Government Covid-19 Jobs Finder Portal

Assistance Finding Jobs and accessing free online training

The State Government has opened a new online portal that will connect Queenslanders who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 with new job opportunities.

This Jobs Finder Queensland online portal will allow Queenslanders who are looking for work to provide information on their skills, location and work experience. These details can then be readily matched to available jobs.

Any Queensland job seeker can register their details, skills and location via the Jobs Finder Queensland portal and access free online training at: www.jobsfinder.qld.gov.au.

Small Business Commissioner Office Opens for Assistance  

Maree Adshead has been announced as the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, to help small business recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business tenants and landlords whose trade has been affected by COVID-19 can seek assistance with resolving lease disputes and access a free mediation service offered by the Commissioner. The Office of QLD Small Business Commissioner can be contacted on 1300 312 344 or visit: Business QLD/qsbc.

Updates to Queensland's Boarder Plan- Details on border control measures, including border passes, travel declarations and quarantine requirements. 

Source: QLD Government

 Australian Federal Government’s Covid-19 Economic Assistance Package

The Federal Government recently announced a range of financial measures to support the community to recover from the economic impact of coronavirus. These are targeted towards individuals and households, businesses and maintaining a flow of credit to the national economy. Please see below for links to specific details and eligibility requirements for each area. More information is available by visiting business.gov.au; treasury.gov.au, or by phoning 13 28 46. 

Payments to Individuals and Households

The Federal Government is providing financial assistance to Australians to support them through the Covid-19 response and recovery period. This assistance includes income support, payments to assist households and counselling and mental health support. For further information please visit: Economic Response to the Coronavirus - Support payments to households.

The Services Australia website contains additional details on support available for individuals and families and the application processes: Getting help during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic- Services Australia

Support for Business

Further measures are designed to assist businesses to manage cash flow, retain employees and provide relief for financial distress during this difficult period. This includes support for specific regions and industries highly impacted by Covid19. For more information please visit: Economic Response to Coronavirus - Cash flow assistance for businesses

Additionally, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Coronavirus page provides information about what people need to know or do in order to get access to the tax or superannuation measures included in the Government’s economic response to COVID-19.  If you’re impacted by COVID-19, and require immediate assistance please call the ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218.

Australian Government launches Covid-19 Continuing Your Business Guide — A step-by-step guide to help planning for recovery.

For assistance with any dispute resolution please contact the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Dispute Service. 

If English is not your first language and you are having problems understanding business.gov.au, please visit the following Other Languages Resources page for more help.

Source: Australian Government Treasury - Covid 19

COVID-19 Creative Economy Support Package Announced

The Federal Government has announced a Creative Economy Support Package that will provide seed investment for productions and tours, starter loans, a fund for local screen production, direct grants and a Creative Economy Taskforce. Dates and guidelines for the grant and loan programs will be released in coming weeks. Fact sheets on each of the measures are available at: COVID-19 and the Arts Fact sheets and FAQs.

 COVID Safe Online Training 

TAFE Queensland is offering free online COVID Safe Training for dining services and beauty-therapy services. The  program has been developed to provide all staff in industries requiring a COVID Safe Checklist with training that will allow them to ensure a COVID Safe work environment. Access the training here: https://tafeqld.edu.au/covid-safe.

Financial Resilience Webinars for Small Business 

Tafe QLD is also delivering a series of interactive online webinars designed to assist small businesses identify risks, build financial skills and plan to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Sessions are customized for specific geographic regions across Queensland. Further information and registration for each location is available at: TAFE QLD Financial Resilience Webinars. Sessions are scheduled daily from week beginning 25 May. 

Innovate Queensland is also holding workshops about pivoting business models and virtual business platforms for Covid-19. Please visit the Innovate Queensland website for further details.

 Technology Support for Business Continuity 

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) have partnered with the Federal Government to provide a range of free service offerings, advice and tools designed to support Australian business continuity through the use of technology.

COMMUNITY  ORGANISATIONS

Budget Direct Sponsorships 2020-2021

Eligible organisations aiming to make a difference in their local community, but need financial assistance may apply for a Budget Direct sponsorship of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. This one-off cash donation can be spent to support your organisations efforts to make improvements and alleviate disadvantage in the community. Budget Direct support applicants who:

The BHP $50 million Community Vital Resources Fund has been established to assist regional Australian communities in areas of operation that are facing significant challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending will be focused on the regions surrounding BHP’s Australian operations, including the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, the Hunter Valley in NSW and other locations. If you are not located in a region where BHP operates, please send your enquiry by email to: [email protected]. Funding is aimed at supporting local health services, community services and resilience projects. Examples of these could include Meals on Wheels, youth outreach services, or organisations that check in on socially isolated people.

Queensland Government's Return to Play Program provides assistance to community sport, recreation and fitness organisations with a range of funding opportunities. Applications for the COVID SAFE Active Clubs Kickstart Grant are now open. Clubs can apply for $2000 to assist with hygiene supplies, equipment and operational costs for COVID Safe clubs to return to sport. In addition, Clubs can apply for up to $20,000 Restart Infrastructure Recovery Grants for minor upgrade works to purchase revenue generating equipment and increase service capacity. Applications for this funding are due to open 10 July, in Stage 3 of easing statewide restrictions.        Low income families can also apply for $150 FairPlay Vouchers for young participants to participate in local  sporting activities and support families experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund has been developed by the Australian Progress, Australian Communities Foundation and the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS)  to support advocacy campaigns demanding action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Grassroots (not-for-profit) community groups are encouraged to pitch their projects as soon as possible for grants of approximately $3,000-$10,000. Further information and applications are available on the Rapid Advocacy Fund's website. 

The Community Broadcasting Foundation Quick Response Grants support community media organisations that risk discontinued transmission and operations, or those who have only been issued a time-limited opportunity. Evidence of the emergency situation/ time- limited opportunity is required. Please visit CBF Quick Response Grants for eligibility requirements and further details. 

The Support for Freelancers & Casual Contributors Fund has been developed by the Judith Neilson Institute to support media organisations with funding challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Media Organisations are invited to apply for financial support for freelancers and casual contributors to undertake specific projects (including editorial work and photography). Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

1000 x 1000: Crisis Cash for Artists is a campaign led by Theatre Network Australia and Creative Partnerships Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) to provide emergency financial relief to artists in need. Individual artists that have lost income due to COVID-19 and have no access to a financial safety net may be eligible to apply. Please visit the ACF Projects website for further details. 

The Arts Sector 2020 Resilience Fund is designed to provide emergency relief to support the livelihoods, practice and operations of Australian artists, groups and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding can be combined with relief offered by other arts funding agencies, government departments, support services and philanthropy.

Applications can be made through three funding streams  

1. Adapt grants of up to $20,000 are available to individuals, groups and organisations to adapt their practice and explore new ways of working through the current COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Applications may be made on an ongoing basis throughout the pandemic.
2. Create grants of up to $20,000 enable individuals, groups and organisations to continue creating artistic work and/or develop creative responses in this time of disruption as a result of COVID-19. Applications may be made on an ongoing basis throughout the pandemic.
3. Survive grants of up to $5,000 are available to individuals, groups and organisations to offset or recoup money lost due to cancelled activity as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Applications may be made on an ongoing basis throughout the pandemic.

For further information and assistance please contact a Grants officer from the Australia Council for the Arts.

COVID-19 Creative Economy Support Package Announced

The Federal Government has announced a Creative Economy Support Package that will provide seed investment for productions and tours, starter loans, a fund for local screen production, direct grants and a Creative Economy Taskforce. Dates and guidelines for the grant and loan programs will be released in coming weeks. Fact sheets on each of the measures are available at: COVID-19 and the Arts Fact sheets and FAQs.

Local Council Support Packages

Moreton Bay Regional Council is offering support to locally based community organisations experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance is also provided to those that need to establish alternate service delivery and  those that offer services to vulnerable residents. Applications are open for the COVID-19 Community Organisation Hardship and Assistance Grants of up to $10 000, on an ongoing basis.

Western Downs COVID-19 Recovery Package - Major recovery package valued at $50 million to secure and create jobs, energize the economy and support the region through the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit the following links for grants and funding in the relevant area: For Business. For Residents. For Community Groups. Accelerated Infrastructure Program

The Redland City Council COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Grants Program delivers targeted funding and support to Redlands small businesses and community organisations to alleviate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently assistance is provided in the two grant categories listed below.  Funding will be available until the end of financial year, or until all allocated funds are exhausted.

• Community Organisation Support Grant – Funding of up to $10 000 is available to support local community organisations that are providing support and relief to Redlands Coast community members impacted by COVID-19.

Apply for a COVID – Community Organisation Support Grant

COVID-19 Community Organisation Support Guidelines 

• Business Support Grant – funding is available under two streams. Applicants can apply for one component at a time.   
  1. Professional advice services- Applicants will be able to apply for funding up to the value of $1,000 for professional advice services (offered by firms located within the Redland City Council Local Government Area). This may include: accounting, financial planning, business consultancy, legal services, human resource services and other business specific advisers.
  2. Innovation funding- Applicants will be able to apply for funding up to the value of $5,000 for the support to reengineer/restructure their business operations to ensure viability and continued operations. This may include the use of technology, research and design or innovative products, services, projects or collaborations. Funding for the Innovation component has been redirected from Redlands City Council Advancing Regional Innovation Program in partnership with the State Advancing Regional Innovation Program and Advance Queensland.

Apply for a COVID-19 Business Support Grant

COVID-19 Business Support Guidelines 

For assistance completing applications please contact Council Customer Service on (07) 3829 8999, or: [email protected]

Assistance for Temporary Visa Holders

The Federal Department of Social Services provides a Special Benefit payment for some temporary visa holders who face significant financial hardship beyond their control. 

The Federal Department of Home Affairs has also advised that temporary visa holders seeking to extend their stay in Australia should review information on the Department’s website and apply for another visa before their current visa expires.

For legal advice on issues related to immigration and refugees please contact the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) by phone: 07 3846 9300, or email: [email protected] 

For assistance with Centrelink Appeals please contact Economic Justice Australia, who provide free and independent advice,  representation and education for those struggling with access to social security benefits.

The Queensland Government has developed the International Student Crisis website to provide assistance to international students experiencing severe hardship as a result of COVID-19. Currently, the Queensland Government is working on a process to distribute: 

• Additional funding to Queensland-based universities and TAFE Queensland to top-up their bursaries and student support services.  
• One-off payments to private VET and ELICOS students. 

International students who require immediate crisis support should contact their education and training provider and the Queensland Student Hub network to discuss their needs. Please follow the Study Queensland Facebook page for further updates.