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COVID-19 Support for business

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

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS HELP LINE - CALL 1300 79 49 29

Economic Stimulus Grants - Open now - To apply click the buttons below

BUSINESS ADVICE  SHOP FRONT REVITALISATION

Government support for business

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

    Australian Government's Business hotline - 13 28 46

    Australian Taxation Office hotline - 1800 806 218

    Support currently available to business includes:

    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 - Eligible businesses, for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 income years, may be able to deduct the cost of new depreciating assets at an accelerated rate using the backing business investment – accelerated depreciation rules.

    Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements – Support for employers who engage a new Australian apprentice.

    Boosting cash flow for employers - Eligible businesses and not-for-profit (NFP) organisations who employ staff will receive between $20,000 to $100,000 in cash flow boost amounts by lodging their activity statements up to the month or quarter of September 2020.

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

    Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme – Support of up to $40 billion of lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by guaranteeing 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs.

    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.

    COVID-19 Export Capital Facility – Find assistance for Australian exporters impacted by COVID-19.

    COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund – Support for regions, communities and industry sectors that have been affected by COVID-19.

    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.

    Increasing the instant asset write-off - Eligible businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used or installed ready for use.

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

    JobKeeper Payment - The JobKeeper Payment scheme is a subsidy for businesses significantly affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

    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.

    ATO has 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.

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

    JobMaker Hiring Credit Scheme – An incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers aged 16 – 35 years.

    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.

    Simplified debt restructuring – The Government has made changes to Australia’s insolvency framework to better help small businesses, their creditors and their employees.

    SME Recovery Loan Scheme – The Government is working with lenders to provide businesses with access to finance to maintain and grow their businesses when JobKeeper ends.

    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 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.

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

    Trade Mark COVID-19 Helpline - IP Australia have introduced their Trade Mark COVID-19 Helpline to help support and assist businesses who have explored different goods and services to those currently covered under their registered trade marks.

    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.

    Back to Work Employer Support and Youth Boost – this program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment. Support payments of up to $20,000 are available for eligible employers who hire eligible unemployed jobseekers.

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

    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 COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program – Round 2 opened 01 July. The available grant amount is a minimum of $2,000 and up to a maximum of $10,000 per eligible small or micro business for a range of recovery activities.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Guide to continuing your business – This guide provides positive steps you can take now to help keep your business operating.

    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.

    Supporting small business assistance form – request assistance via the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training who will prioritise enquiries and access support from state agencies ready to lend a hand.

  • Fraser Coast Regional Council adopted the 2020/21 Budget at a Special Meeting held on Tuesday, 23 June 2020.

    To assist in the recovery stage of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) a number of initiatives were developed to provide support to ratepayers and the business community that have been affected by the virus either directly or indirectly. To date these initiatives have included rate concessions, rent relief for commercial tenants of Council owned properties, waivers of some business licencing fees and compliance support for businesses. Additionally, Council has introduced the Buy Local Fraser Coast Gift Card initiative and worked with the Queensland Government to secure direct Jetstar flights to and from Sydney.

    A further $500,000 Fraser Coast Regional Council COVID-19 Economic Stimulus package has now been released to support Fraser Coast businesses to grow our local economy, keep people employed and create new jobs. Initiatives include:

    Business Shopfront Revitalisation Grant, $200,000: Provide grant of up to $5,000 for improvements to shopfronts. The aim is to stimulate interest in existing businesses to increase customer visits and sales. The region benefits from improved aesthetics and confidence in business areas.

    Business Advice Grants, $100,000: Help Fraser Coast businesses to engage the local professional business services providers to improve their capacity and capability across a range of areas including financial management, inventory management, HR management, marketing and digital solutions.

    Business Face-to-Face Surveys, $50,000:  Surveys to receive direct feedback from local businesses regarding their needs and priorities, for future planning.

    Business Summit, $50,000: An event open to all businesses with a high-powered speaker to stimulate ideas, sharing business knowledge and generating new ideas.

    Business Expo, $50,000: A business expo to provide opportunities for local businesses and business support organisations to showcase product and services. The region benefits from businesses understanding the capability that exists locally and creates stronger local supply chains and networks.

    Event Showcase, $50,000: Bring event organisers to the region to familiarise them with the facilities and businesses. The aim is to position the Fraser Coast as a location for events, expos and conferences as well as a business and tourist destination.

    Council’s Economic Development team is here to support businesses during this challenging period, and beyond. 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.

  • Approved Industry COVID Safe Plans – are now available across a range of industries.

    Check In Qld app - The Check In Qld app is available to download and use to help keep Queenslanders COVID Safe when we’re enjoying venues like pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes across Queensland.
    Important:  From 01 May 2021, all Queensland hospitality businesses must use the Check In Qld app when signing in patrons to their premises.

    Roadmap to easing restrictions - Latest information for businesses.

    View the Queensland Government's roadmap to easing restrictions.

    COVID Safe Businesses – Queensland government portal for information and links to checklists, plans and factsheets.

    COVID Safe promotional resources - all the resources needed to promote a COVIDSafe environment. Both pre-made and customisable materials have been made available including posters, decals and social media collateral.  

    Business health and safety resources for coronavirus (COVID-19) - a wide range of workplace health and safety resources, posters, and fact sheets have been developed to help you stay informed and manage your business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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

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

    Australian Government’s 3-Step Framework for a COVIDSafe Australia

    NCCC Planning tool to help businesses be COVIDSafe - The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) has launched a planning tool to help you develop a plan to keep your workers, customers and the community safe as you undertake your business activities.

    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.

    For further details on the eased business restrictions and how they apply to your business, you can contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on:

    • 1300 005 018 (for business obligation queries during COVID-19)
    • 1300 362 128 (for general work-related complaints).

Media releases and news

Tools for recovery

Industry resources