Queensland State Government Small Business Grant Program

The objective is to support small businesses subject to closure or highly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) shut down restrictions announced by the Queensland Government to be able to adapt and sustain their operations.

The available funding is $10,000 per eligible small or micro business.

The funding can be used towards professional advice, strategic planning, marketing, digital strategy, and other business costs incurred after 23 March 2020. For full details on what the grant can be used for please click here.

Eligibility criteria

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.

Applying for the grant is easy you just need to read the eligibility criteria and the application guidelines, terms and conditions and then apply using the SmartyGrants link here.

Assessment process

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, applications will be assessed against the following:

• funding availability – applications will be processed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and therefore not all applications will be successful
• submission of a complete application form, with all requested supporting documentation included (i.e. your application must contain the requested supporting documentation, otherwise you will be contacted to provide appropriate evidence and this may delay your application’s progress)
• value for money, as determined by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).

Grant payments

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.

Grant recipients may be subjected to a random audit by DESBT to ensure that the information provided is true and correct. Where it is found that false or misleading information has been provided, penalties may apply, including refunding to DESBT some or all of the grant funding.