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COVID-19 Support for business

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Businesses can call for assistance to filter through government packages available. Council staff are available during business hours Monday to Friday.

Call the helpline on 1300 79 49 29

 

COVID-19 Business impact survey

Council’s Economic Development team is working to gather information on COVID-19's impact on the local economy and how businesses are responding.

Take the business impact survey                    

Business and Investment eNews

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Government support for business

  • Visit the Australian Government business website for information and support.

    Download the new COVIDSafe app - speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps health officials support and protect you, your friends and family. The app is now available from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

    Australian Government's Business hotline - 13 28 46

    Australian Taxation Office hotline - 1800 806 218

    Support currently available to business includes:

    For sole traders – learn what your business can get and where to go for help.

    For employers - learn what your business can get and where to go for help.

    For companies – learn what your business can get and where to go for help.

    A hold on evictions for renters - Evictions will be put on hold over the next 6 months for commercial and residential tenancies in financial distress, who are unable to meet their commitments due to the impact of the coronavirus.

    Austrade Events – the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) organises and supports a wide range of events and webinars that are held in Australia and around the world.

    Austrade – access a wide range of information and resources for exporters.

    Backing business investment - a time limited 15-month investment incentive to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions.

    Boosting cash flow for employers - The Government is now providing up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not-for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.

    Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws – the Fair Work Ombudsman provides information to educate and encourage compliance with Australia’s workplace laws.

    Commercial tenancies:  Disputes.  The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman offers tips for resolving your own dispute.  If agreement cannot be reached, either party can contact the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman for more support.

    Commercial tenancies – Mandatory Code of Conduct – the National Cabinet has agreed that states and territories will implement a mandatory code of conduct. Queensland's implementation, including legislative and regulatory changes, will be announced.

    Continuing your business – learn about the positive steps you can take to keep your business operating and where to go for help.

    Early access to superannuation - Individuals affected by the coronavirus can access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21. You will be able to apply for early release of your superannuation from mid-April 2020.

    Events and Training – Search tool. Business workshops, networking events, conferences and webinars can help you to improve your business skills and grow your network.

    Expertise and Advice – Search tool. Chat to a business adviser or expert online, over the phone or face-to-face — some mobile advisers can even visit your business. Select the topic/s you wish to get advice on.

    Grants & programs – Search tool. Find grants, funding and support programs from across government to help your business grow and succeed! When searching for funding, keep in mind that you’ll generally need to meet certain criteria to be eligible, and that aside from funding assistance, many programs can help your business by building your skills and knowledge.

    Increased and accelerated income support – expanded access available.

    Increasing the instant asset write-off - the instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000.

    International Freight Assistance Mechanism – establishment of an international freight assistance mechanism to back Australia’s agriculture and seafood export sectors.

    JobKeeper Payment - a temporary $130 billion scheme open to businesses impacted by the coronavirus. This assistance will help businesses to keep people in their jobs and re-start when the crisis is over.

    Refer to business.gov.au for details of the package for Employers and Employees and for Sole Traders and Self Employed. The ATO has updated their website with guides for Sole traders, Employers reporting through STP (Single Touch Payroll) and Employers not reporting through STP. It is important to review the guide that is relevant to your business asap as key dates for action apply.
    Enrolments are NOW OPEN via the ATO’s myGovID Business Portal.

    Jobs Hub – support is available for employers with multiple job opportunities available due to increased demand.

    moneysmart.gov.au – Making financial decisions guide.

    Running your business from home – find out the tools and resources available to help you run your business from home.

    Safe Work Australia industry guidelines - guidelines and information across 23 industries so that businesses can return to work in a COVID safe environment.

    Supporting apprentices and trainees - if you employ an apprentice or trainee you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of their wage paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.

    Support for existing government program participants and applicants – you may be eligible to seek additional time to meet your reporting obligations or to complete your project.

    Supporting the flow of credit - The Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme will provide support to small and medium enterprise (SME) lenders for new unsecured loans to be used for working capital. Further information around supporting the flow of credit can be sourced from the Australian Treasury website.

    Tax Support - find out what tax support is available if you or your employees are affected by the coronavirus.

    Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses – learn about the temporary relief for companies and directors.

    Travelling for work - if you need to travel overseas for work, make sure have the right travel advice. 

    Download the official government “Coronavirus Australia” app. in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android

  • Visit Business Queensland for business support.

    Queensland Government Small Business HOTLINE – 1300 654 687

    Financial assistance

    Australian Government business assistance – support and assistance for Australian businesses impacted by coronavirus.

    Economic relief package – immediate assistance to help Queensland business and industry manage impacts of coronavirus.

    Electricity relief for businesses - $500 rebate if your business consumes less than 100,000kWh, automatically applied on your electricity bills.

    Jobs support loans – low interest loans of up to $250,000 (initial 12 months interest free) for businesses to retain staff.

    Market diversification and resilience grants – for Queensland agriculture, food and fishing exporters and their critical supply chain partners.

    Payroll tax relief package – payroll tax relief measures, including refunds, holidays and deferrals.

    Rent relief for commercial tenants – land tax relief for landlords to pass on to tenants.

    Small Business Adaption Grant Program – apply for up to $10,000 to access digital technologies, help diversify and retain employees or to seek assistance to support your COVID-19 business continuity planning.

    Industry support

    Agriculture – advice and assistance for agriculture businesses.

    Clinicians and healthcare workers – latest information and resources for COVID-19 clinicians.

    Commercial fisheries – assistance package for the commercial fishing industry.

    Creative industries – grant funding increases, online learning, First Nation and digital support.

    Food and grocery businesses – trading hours updates for businesses selling food and groceries.

    Liquor and gaming licensees – COVID-19 advice and support for licensees.

    Manufacturing industry – supply matching to help manufacturing businesses access supplies and meet customer needs.

    Resources and fact sheets for industry – essential cleaning and disinfection recommendations for industry.

    Tourism – fee relief, rebates, deferrals and assistance for tourism businesses.

    Trade Investment Queensland (TIQ) – support for exporters during COVID-19.

    Transport Industry– COVID-19 transport and motoring customer service updates.

    Business support and advice

    Business Assistance Finder – use the coronavirus (COVID-19) business assistance finder to learn what support you may be eligible for.

    Business impact survey – help the Queensland Government understand how your business has been impacted and assess what support you need.

    Business safety resources: Printable posters to display in your business or workplace to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These resources apply to updated restrictions in effect from 2 May 2020.

    Commercial tenancies: Summaries of support for commercial tenants and commercial landlords affected by COVID-19.

    Cyber security for your business – advice and assistance to help protect your business from online threats, scams, attacks, phishing emails and phone calls.

    Easing of Queensland business restrictions for coronavirus (COVID-19) -  Latest information for reopening businesses, effective 11.59pm, 15 May 2020. This includes advice on mandatory COVID SAFE checklists for beauty therapy and nail salons, and restaurants and cafes. View the Queensland Government's roadmap to easing restrictions.

    Employee rights, awards and entitlements – information about employer obligations and employee rights in Queensland businesses.

    Financial workshops – financial management and business planning workshops delivered by TAFE Queensland.

    Managing flexible working arrangements – employer obligations for staff working from home.

    Mentoring assistance – mentors available to provide tailored support including financial mentoring and business planning.

    Pandemic risk management for business – manage the business risks associated with a pandemic.

    Risk management and planning – business continuity planning, developing recovery plans, and cyber security.

    Temporary visa workers – changes to temporary visa work arrangements for COVID-19.

    Workplace health and safety – workplace risk management to keep your workplace safe.

     

     

  • Fraser Coast Regional Council will waive a range of charges and permit fees for local businesses, extend the due date for rates and provide grants for sport and community groups as part of a million dollar coronavirus financial assistance package.

    The financial assistance package approved at a special Council meeting on Friday 20 March 2020 includes:

    • Extending the due date for the current rates notice until 30 June 2020;
    • A $500,000 grants program for sporting and community groups adversely affected by coronavirus restrictions, up to a maximum of $10,000 for each eligible group;
    • Refunding all event application and permit fees for events cancelled as a result of coronavirus restrictions;
    • Waiving of all airport related fees for commercial aircraft until 30 June 2020;
    • Extending regulated premise licences and permits for six months at no charge;
    • Providing a 100 per cent discount on new application fees for all regulated business activities up until 31 May 2020 and a 50 per cent discount from 1 June 2020 to 30 June 2020;
    • No cost for fresh produce traders when they apply for itinerant vendor or mobile food vendor permits to operate on Council-owned or controlled land.


    Council is also:

    • Investigating further rates concessions options that could be adopted for the 2020/21 financial year;
    • Updating its financial hardship policy, and;
    • Considering other measures to reduce the financial impact of the coronavirus on the community.

    The Grants program for sporting and community groups is now open and can be accessed via Council’s Grants page - scroll down to the “Available grants” section.

    Council’s Economic Development team is here to support businesses during this challenging period. Contact our team for further information and support via email economic.development@frasercoast.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 79 49 29 and ask for the Economic Development team.

Media releases and news

Tools for recovery

Industry resources