A new grant to Boost QLD businesses

Brisbane city and Soutbank view during a sunny afternoon. Brisbane is the third largest city of Australia and capital of the Queensland state.

A total of $2.5 million in grants will be available to small businesses in Queensland as part of the government’s Business Boost Grant Program.

Grants of up to $15,000 will be available for businesses to complete projects like; future planning, specialised automated software and staff management, development and planning.

This is a co-contribution grant, and the business will have to contribute at least 30% of the total project costs. The minimum amount contributed will be $7,500 therefore the minimum project costs should be $10,715.00

For example, if you have a project to do strategic planning for growth for a total of $10,715 the grant will cover $7,500 and the business will cover the $3,215 remaining.

There is no upper limit in the total project cost, however the grant will cover a maximum of $15,000. This means projects of $21,429 will obtain the maximum of $15,000.

What you need to do:

 

Check your eligibility

Your business must have:

  • An active ABN
  • Registered for GST
  • Less than 20 employees
  • Have a QLD headquarters
  • Turnover between $300,000 and $600,000 in the 2021 FY
  • Have a publicly reachable web presence (website or social media)
  • Not be insolvent or have an owner/director undischarged or bankrupt

If you ticked all the boxes, you would be eligible to apply. Applications open 30 July but if we learned something from the last round of grants is that you need to be extremely prepared beforehand. Last round of grants was exhausted within hours of opening.

 

Prepare your online application

These will be available through the DESBT SmartyGrants portal. If you do not have an account, register now, and familiarise yourself with the process.

A preview of the application can be found here.

 

Get your documents ready 

You will a certified statutory declaration from the owner or director of the business stating the business meets the turnover threshold and all eligibility criteria.

You will need it to be witnessed by a lawyer, justice of the peace, commissioner for declarations, notary public or conveyancer. You can find your local justice of the peace here.

You can find a sample letter here.