Note: This article was updated on 20 July 2021 to include new information regarding the Business Boost Grant.

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training administers grants and programs to help Queensland business continue to increase key capabilities, embrace innovation, and assist high-growth businesses to capitalise on opportunities.

On 1 May 2021, another $25 million in grants were announced to be delivered over two years via three new programs:

The Business Basics program will offer grants of up to $5,000 each support new and emerging businesses to increase core capabilities and adopt current best practice.
The Business Growth Fund will help evolving and fast growing small and medium sized businesses to buy highly specialised equipment to seize and accelerate growth opportunities.
The Business Boost program will support established small businesses with grants of up to $15,000 to improve their efficiency and productivity through organisational development and upgrades through automated software and CRM systems.

Key information

Business Basics Grants Program
Funding: $5,000
Applications open: 31 May 2021

Business Growth Fund
Funding: up to $50,000
Applications open: 11 May 2021

Business Boost Grants
Funding: up to $15,000
Applications open: 30 July 2021

Business Basics Grants

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

Available funding

You may be eligible for a single up-front fixed grant payment of $5,000 (excluding GST).
The grant is for funding activities from one of the below priorities.

training and coaching
website build or upgrades
professional business advice
strategic marketing services
business continuity and succession

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
have a Queensland headquarters
have a turnover of $300,000 or less for the current financial year
not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Applying

Applications open 31 May 2021. The application form will be available on this date.
Applications will close when (whichever happens first):

sufficient applications for competitive assessment are received, or
30 June 2021.

Note: This grant program is competitively assessed. Not all applications will be funded.

You can find out more about the program here – https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/business-basics-grant

Business Growth Fund

The Business Growth Fund (BGF) targets high-growth businesses who can accelerate growth, drive Queensland’s economy and employ more Queenslanders.

Available funding

You may be eligible for a single up-front payment up to $50,000 (excluding GST).
You must also fund at least 25% of project costs to buy and implement the specialised equipment.
Funding must be used to buy specialised equipment to meet business growth. The equipment must have a direct link to increasing employment and maximising economic returns.
Examples of eligible highly-specialised equipment include (but are not limited to):

production equipment to meet otherwise unachievable growth demand
advanced manufacturing or digital equipment and systems
advanced logistics systems and equipment.

Eligibility criteria

You must be an established small to medium-sized Queensland business who is financially sound and have the potential for high-growth within the next 2 years.
High-growth is defined as a 20% increase in productivity, turnover, profit and/or employment in the last 12 months.
To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

have a minimum trading history of 3 years at the time of application
have a minimum turnover of $500,000 for the last financial year
have fewer than 50 employees at the time of applying for the grant
have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
have Queensland headquarters
have competitive opportunities in domestic or international markets
be experiencing growth and have clearly defined high-growth and employment opportunities in Queensland
not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

In addition, your business must have:

a business plan in place
capacity to access finance to fund the growth of your business
a clearly defined opportunity and plan for growth
demonstrated how the project (i.e. implementation of specialised equipment) will help your business to achieve these goals.

Check your eligibility to find out if your business can apply for the program – https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/growth-fund

Business Boost Grants Program

The Business Boost grants program provides support to businesses to advance improvements in their efficiency and productivity.

Available funding

You may be eligible to receive a grant payment of $15,000 (excluding GST) on completing your proposed project.

Successful applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the total project costs.

Grant funding will be paid only after compliant acquittal documentation is received.

Funding is not available for projects with:

a total cost of less than $10,715 (excluding GST)
or
payments made before the approval date (you must be approved before you pay for grant-funded project activities).

Eligible projects

Future planning

Strategic business planning for innovation or growth
Implementing a governance board to guide strategic planning
Exporting opportunities and requirements
Compliance with industry regulations and standards

Specialised and automated software

Design and implementation of management systems, including
- data warehouses
- asset management
- customer relationship management systems
- quality and compliance management
- risk management
- production systems
- project management systems
Bespoke or complex website design and build, including e-commerce, software integration, booking systems
Cybersecurity tools
Innovative technology that improves or diversifies service offerings

Staff management, development and planning

Human resource management skills building
Professional development and training
Digital workplace plans and systems for a remote workforce

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and registered for GST
have a Queensland headquarters
have a turnover of between $300,000 (minimum) and $600,000 (maximum) in the last financial year (2020–21)
have a publicly reachable web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website and/or social media pages)
not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Check your eligibility to find out if your business can apply for the program.

Further help:

If you would like to apply for the Business Basics Grant, Business Growth Fund or Business Boost Grant, the Marsh & Partners team are able to provide advice and assist with assessing eligibility and preparing applications.

If you would like to discuss these programs or any other financial help your business may be entitled to, please contact us on (07) 3023 4800 or at mail@marshpartners.com.au.

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