COVID-19 Available business support information
As a chamber, we are here for you. In increasingly difficult times, we are continuing to support our incredible, resilient business community. Please make sure you stay in touch and keep sending your business news through to us. We are here for you.
This blog contains the latest information from both the Queensland and Australian Governments, please check to remain up to date.
Australian Government Latest Announcements and Assistance
Access the Australian Government’s website to see the very latest COVID-19 news, updates and advice from Government – The website contains information such as but not limited to:-
Key updates
Health and prevention
Receiving Financial Support – Australian Government Economic Response to COVID-19
Information for Businesses, Employees and Jobseekers
Help from other Government agencies
The Australian Government has set up a team of dedicated customer representatives to explain the Australian Government assistance available to business. Talk over the phone, live chat or email 8am – 8pm across Australia through their Coronavirus business support service.
Phone: 13 28 46;
Email : Send email to Coronavirus business support
Australian Government Support for Small Businesses and Industry - The Australian Government is supporting Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees.
Boosting Cash flow for Employers - Provides up to $100,000 back to small and medium-sized businesses, with a minimum payment of $20,000 for eligible businesses. The payment will be tax-free
Supporting Apprentices and Trainees Measure - Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of their apprentice’s or trainee’s wage paid during 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020
Additional Information for Sole Traders - Increased instant asset write off and accelerated depreciation measures for sole traders
Casual employees – The Government is making support payments quicker to access by waiving the usual waiting period periods for casual employees
Increased and Accelerated Income Support Payments for Sole Traders and Employees - This link includes examples and scenarios relating to Sole Traders and recently retrenched employees
Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses; The Government is temporarily increasing the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand
Support for immediate cash flow needs for SMEs – Under the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme, the Government will provide a guarantee of 50% to
support short-term loans
Supporting individuals and households; The Australian Government is providing financial assistance which includes income support, payments to households, temporary early release of superannuation
Early access to superannuation; Sole traders or casual workers with an income or hours reduced by 20% or more access up to $10,000 of the superannuation
tax-free
Rural Financial Counselling Service Any Small Business impacted by COVID19 can now contact the Small Business Financial Counselling Service in the following areas:
Southern Queensland – phone (07) 4622 5500
North Queensland – phone (07) 4652 5669
Fair Work Australia –Workplace Obligations and Entitlements – Help and advice for employers and employees with entitlements during this time
Centrelink – Social security payments and services to Australians.
Australian Taxation Office – For enquires relating to income tax.
Fair Work Ombudsman – Provides education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations.
Queensland Government Industry Recovery Package
Access the Business Queensland website to see the very latest COVID-19 news, updates and advice from Queensland Government . The Queensland Government’s
industry recovery package contains a range of initiatives www.qld.gov.au/about/industry-recovery
Queensland Government Support for Small Business and Industry includes but is not limited to:-
Payroll tax relief package: includes a range of payroll tax relief measures including refunds of payroll tax and payroll tax holiday and deferrals. A portal has been established on the Business Queensland website for businesses to apply for payroll tax relief
Small and medium business power bill relief: Small and medium businesses may be eligible for $500 rebate off their energy bill.
Rent relief: for small businesses who rent premises from the state government.
Liquor licensing: The Queensland Government COVID-19 economic relief package includes the waiving of 2020–21 liquor licencing fees
QRIDA Jobs Support Loans – This scheme is for Queensland businesses and non-profit organisations financially affected by COVID-19. Eligible business types include sole traders, partnerships, private and public companies and Trusts.
Business Mentoring Assistance - Mentoring for Growth: The Mentoring for Growth program has mentors ready to connect with impacted small businesses and may be able to provide tailored support including financial mentoring and business planning.
Financial Resilience Workshops: Delivered by TAFE Queensland, workshops will provide you with practical tools and skills to build business resilience. You will also have an opportunity to connect and network with other small businesses facing similar issues.
Market Diversification and Resilience Grants: To help develop alternative markets food and fishing exporters and critical supply chain partners.
Waivers of some registration and licencing fees for Inbound Tour Operators, commercial activity agreements and permits, & variations to liquor licenses
Supply Chain Issues - The Queensland Government is committed to assisting Queensland manufacturers and businesses that are currently impacted by the ongoing coronavirus situation. If you are finding it difficult to obtain vital materials and supplies to remain open, please access link and complete your details
The Worker Transition Scheme: For workers who may find themselves without work
Please Note:
If you have not already, businesses are invited to complete an online Business Impact Evaluation so the State Government can fully capture the actual impact to small business at this point of time.
Also contact your Regional Local Government Authority for latest grants and support.
Other Useful Information that may be of assistance to you:-
Australian Banking Association - Small business relief, deferral of loans
Chamber of Commerce & Industry Qld - Sign up for their Business Essentials subscription by 31st March 2020 and pay nothing for 12 months.
Additional Wellbeing and Support Information
Emergency Relief Program search (Queensland Government)
Salvation Army (Disasters and emergencies support) - phone 1300 662 217
Lifeline (Mental health and wellbeing) - phone 13 11 14
Beyondblue (Mental health and wellbeing) - phone 1300 224 636
Headspace (Youth mental health and wellbeing) - phone 1800 650 890
Please note that all of the latest updates are available on the Business Queensland website and it is suggested that you regularly visit this site to stay in touch with the most up to date information. You can also follow the Business Queensland social media channels, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter for further updates as well.