You may be eligible to receive a grant of $5,000 (excluding GST). This grant may be used for business expenses. 

The grant is aimed at supporting eligible employing Queensland small and medium businesses and employing Queensland not for profit organisations that are impacted by lock downs taking effect during August 2021 in response to COVID-19 outbreaks. This includes the South-East Queensland lock down that commenced on 31 July 2021 and the Cairns and Yarrabah lock down that commenced on 8 August 2021 and any other lock downs that may occur in the month of August 2021.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, a business or not for profit organisation must (at the time of applying):

  • employ staff (in addition to the business owners and be employed on the business’s payroll);
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN) for the business or not for profit organisation continuously held since 30 June 2021;
  • be registered for GST;
  • have a Queensland headquarters (i.e. the principal place of business is located in Queensland) and the impacted business was based and trading in Queensland on 31 July 2021;
  • not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are insolvent or an undischarged bankrupt;
  • have an annual payroll of not more than $10 million (except for large tourism and hospitality businesses in the identified tourism and hospitality sector) during any of the 2018-19, 2019-20 or 2020-21 financial years;
  • have an annual turnover of over $75,000 during any of the 2018-19, 2019-20 or 2020- 21 financial years;
    • For a recently started business, provide financial records to indicate this will reasonably be met in the 2021-22 financial year.
  • demonstrate the business was directly or indirectly affected by a lock down event;
    • Direct impact: businesses that must not operate as specified in the lock down events can self-declare the impact on their turnover in the application form.
    • Indirect impact: businesses that are able to operate for a limited purpose during the lock down events, or whose activities are not specified in the health directions for the lock down events but are impacted by lock down events, or are located outside of the lock down areas must provide evidence to show a reduction in turnover of more than 30% (see Supporting evidence section below).
  • demonstrate or declare a reduction in turnover of 30% or more during a nominated 7- day period which must include at least 1 full day of a lock down event when compared against turnover achieved by the entity during the same 7-day period in 2019 (or if that 2019 period is not indicative of the entity’s typical weekly turnover, a comparable 7-day period).
    • For comparison, this period should be against either:
  • the same period in July or August 2019; or
  • where the 2019 comparison period is not indicative of the entity’s typical weekly turnover (e.g. a recently started small business or a business that has experienced structural changes), another comparable period can be nominated (e.g. the same period in July/August 2020).

30% Decline in Turnover – Can you demonstrate or declare a reduction in turnover of 30% or more for a 1-week period that includes 1 full day in any of the eligible lockdown events?

The reduction in turnover can be a result of a direct or indirect impact from the eligible lockdowns.

Eligible lockdown events include:

  • the South East Queensland lockdown from 31 July 2021 to 8 August 2021
  • the Cairns and Yarrabah lockdown commencing 8 August 2021
  • any other lockdown in Queensland in August 2021.

Test Period

You should compare your turnover against either:

  • the same period in July or August 2019
  • a comparable period (e.g. the same period in July or August 2020) if other circumstances exist making this period difficult (e.g. a recently started small business or a business that has experienced structural changes).

Supporting evidence

Applicants are required to demonstrate or declare they have experienced a reduction in turnover of 30% or more over a nominated 7-day period (including at least 1 full day of a lock down event) compared against the same 7-day period in 2019 (or if that period is not indicative of the entity’s typical weekly turnover another nominated 7-day period). To demonstrate:

  • Direct Impact: you may complete a declaration in your application to this effect.
  • Indirect Impact: you may:
    • provide sales turnover information from your business records for the relevant periods, or
    • rely on a dated accountant letter^ on letterhead issued by a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand or the Institute of Public Accountants, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent.
  • Applicants are required to demonstrate they employ staff (in addition to the business owners and be employed on the businesses payroll). Evidence may include:
    • business financial statements, business payroll records, payroll tax return information; or
    • a dated accountant letter^ on letterhead issued by a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand or the Institute of Public Accountants, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent.
  • Applicants are required to demonstrate an annual payroll up to $10 million during any of the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years (except for large tourism and hospitality businesses in the identified tourism and hospitality sector). Evidence may include:
    • business payroll records, payroll tax return information; or
    • a dated accountant letter^ on letterhead issued by a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand or the Institute of Public Accountants, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent.
  • Applicants are required to demonstrate annual turnover of over $75,000 during any of the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years. Evidence may include:
    • BAS statements or ATO records, or
    • a dated accountant letter^ on letterhead from a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand or the Institute of Public Accountants, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent.
  • To verify your trading location, you may provide:
    • publicly reachable web information to identify business operations for example, website or social media pages; or
    • utility bills for the business location.

A template accountants letter has been provided, that we can assist to complete if you cannot collate and supply the supporting evidence.

When and how can you apply?

Applications open at midday on 16 August 2021 and will close after three months on 16 November 2021 as stated on QRIDA’s website. All applicants will receive notification via email of the outcome of their application.

You will not miss out if you don’t apply straight away, all eligible applicants will receive funding.

What is the process?

Check your eligibility

Review the criteria noted above, and if needed check your online accounting file to confirm meet the 30% decline in turnover.

Create a QRIDA Profile

To create a new profile to assist with your grant application, go to: https://applyonline.qrida.qld.gov.au/login.

Applicants with existing QRIDA portal profiles can use their existing profile accounts and do not need to create a new profile for the purposes of this grant application.

Gather your supporting documentation

See supporting evidence

If you cannot collate and supply the supporting evidence and require a letter from us, please get in touch.

Apply

Complete an online application at www.business.qld.gov.au/supportgrant . All applications must be submitted electronically. A link to the application form will be available 12pm (midday), 16 August 2021.

Outcomes

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. Approved applicants will receive grant funds of $5,000 into their nominated bank account within two weeks of approval. Information on the process for appeals will be provided to declined applicants as part of the outcome notification.

Acquittal survey

Within three to six months after the funding has been provided, recipients must agree to complete and submit an acquittal survey. The survey will include questions regarding how you used the grant funding. You must keep all application evidence; the Queensland Government reserves the right to audit grant recipients.

What are the timeframes?

Completed grant applications will be processed in order of receipt. Grant funds will be paid within two weeks of approval.

What can I spend the grant funding on?

The grant has been provided to offer relief and support to your business on the back of a lock down period. Funding may be used for business expenses.

Are sole traders eligible?

Employing sole traders will be eligible if they are not receiving, or are not eligible to receive, income support through the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment. Non-employing sole traders are not eligible as they may be eligible for support through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment with further information available at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment

Can I apply twice if I have two businesses?

Yes. Assuming you meet all the other eligibility criteria for each business, the grant is payable per ABN that you have. So if you have multiple businesses, each with a different ABN, then you can apply multiple times.