Next round of Business Basics grants

IMPORTANT UPDATE  10 MAY 2022:

Applications for Round 3 of the Business Basics grants program were due to open at 9am on Wednesday 4 May 2022. Due to nationwide technical issues with the application portal (SmartyGrants), the application process was closed.

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has now advised that the technical issues are resolved and Round 3 of the Business Basics grants will open for applications as follows:

• Regional Queensland funding stream – 9am, Monday 16 May
• South East Queensland funding stream – 9am, Tuesday 17 May

 

About the grant

The Business Basics grants offer $5,000 to eligible new or emerging businesses to improve their operations, such as upgrading websites, improving skills or adopting best practice.

 

Grant rounds

Each round of the Business Basics grants program has specific information to help you prepare and apply for a grant, and if successful, manage your grant.

The Business Basics grants program provides support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practice.

This support includes funded activities in 5 priorities:

1. Training and coaching
2. Website build or upgrades
3. Professional business advice
4. Strategic marketing services
5. Business continuity and succession.

The program is administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).

 

SEQ and regional Queensland funding available

For this round, there are 2 funding streams based on what Local Government Area (LGA) eligible businesses are headquartered. These LGAs are grouped into either South East Queensland or regional Queensland.

You may be eligible for a single up-front fixed grant payment of $5,000 (excluding GST).

The grant is for funding activities from the above 5 priorities.

Not funded are activities with either:

• a total cost of less than $5,000 (excluding GST)
• payments made before the approval date (you must be approved before you pay for grant-funded activities).

South East Queensland businesses

When applying for Round 3, you are a South East Queensland (SEQ) business if your principal place of business is located in 1 of the following local government areas:

• Brisbane City Council
• City of Gold Coast
• Ipswich City Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Noosa Shire Council
• Redlands City Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council.

Regional Queensland businesses

You are a ‘regional business’ if your principal place of business is any other local government areas within Queensland that is not identified as a SEQ location.

 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• not have been approved for funding under Round 1 or 2 of the Business Basics grants program
• have fewer than 20 employees (by head count) at the time of applying for the grant
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
• have headquarters in Queensland and you are applying for a SEQ or regional grant depending on where your business is based (use the eligibility tool to check your location)
• have an expected turnover of $300,000 or less for the current financial year
• not have owners/directors that are insolvent or an undischarged bankrupt.

 

Eligible activities

Training and coaching

• Business development, marketing, human resources or business planning topics
• Training or coaching of up to 4 months in duration

Website build or upgrades

• Website build or upgrade (including website refresh)
• Adding e-commerce
• Developing new website content

Professional business advice

• Business plans

Strategic marketing services

• Strategic marketing plans including search engine optimisation advice

Business continuity and succession

• Business continuity and succession plans
• Cybersafety training and tools

 

Non-eligible activities

Activities not funded are:

• activities bought using cryptocurrencies, barter, or services in-kind
• general business operating costs (e.g. bookkeeping or accounting, tax returns)
• real estate/property, hire, lease, or rental fees
• goods, services, or fees from related parties (include companies with common shareholdings or directors, employees or immediate family)
• travel
• franchise fees
• purchase of stock
• GST, registration, and fees
• maintenance of existing digital technologies
• computer hardware (e.g. computer servers, PCs, tablets/iPads, mobile phones)
• other hardware/devices/equipment (e.g. televisions, EFTPOS, card and chip readers)
• activities purchased through direct selling (e.g. by party plan or network marketing)
• delivery, credit card and transaction fees
• memberships and joining fees
• salaries
• fleet vehicles
• website hosting
• implementation of marketing tactics such as advertising, direct marketing (e.g. telemarketing) or campaign delivery (e.g. Google AdWords, Facebook advertising or similar expenses).

 

How to apply:

Start preparing your application now by following these steps.

1. Read the key documents and information:
   • application guidelines
   • terms and conditions
   • frequently asked questions
   • sample application form
   • statutory declaration sample
   • choosing a supplier.
2. Check your eligibility.
3. Apply for a DESBT SmartyGrants applicant account (if you don’t already have one).
4. Ensure your Australian Business Register profile for your business is up to date (check your ABN status, GST status and main business location).
5. Choose your suppliers – collect your detailed quote(s) from supplier(s). Note: Supplier quotes dated before 13 April 2022 will not be accepted.
6. Prepare your documentation, including:
   • a signed and witnessed statutory declaration from the business’s owner or director stating the business meets all eligibility criteria, AND
   • supplier quotes (no more than 2), dated after 13 April 2022, detailing description and costs of services, who will undertake the activity, and an outline of key activities. You will only be able to upload 1 quote per supplier.
7. Start your application.

 

Further help:

If you would like to apply for this grant, the Marsh & Partners team are able to provide advice and assist with your application. If you would like to discuss this program or any other financial help your business may be entitled to, please contact us on (07) 3023 4800 or at mail@marshpartners.com.au.

You can find out more about working with Marsh & Partners here. As your Absolute.Account.Ability partner we’re on a mission to make your business life better. We’ll help you set goals for your business, devise an Action Plan to make them happen and meet with you regularly to ensure you stay on track.

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