Serious support for businesses in $600m package

As the result of a 50/50 funding agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, the value of the Queensland COVID-19 Business Support Grants will rise from $260 million to $600 million.

This is very good news for businesses in the Whitsundays who have suffered greatly from lockdowns, generally announced and executed with just a few hours’ notice.

These border closures have decimated our tourism-reliant businesses, who have no reserves in the tank to keep going.

There’s more support for sole traders, small, medium and large businesses who have seen a decline in turnover of more than 30 per cent.

Support will include:

• A $1,000 one-off grant to non-employing sole traders across Queensland that have had a decline in turnover of more than 30 per cent.

• Payroll-based support for all businesses across Queensland, that have had a decline in turnover of more than 30 per cent.

  • A $5,000 one-off, top-up grant to small business with payroll of less than $1.3 million

  • A $10,000 one-off, top-up grant to medium sized business with payroll between $1.3 million and $10 million

  • A $25,000 one-off, top-up grant to large sized tourism and hospitality focused businesses only with payroll of greater than $10 million.

Business Support Grants will be open to businesses across Queensland from Monday 16 August.

Full details about the program can be accessed at www.business.qld.gov.au/supportgrants