Close Menu

COVID-19 Support for business

Open for Business register

Buying local is the best way to support businesses on the Fraser Coast; it is great for employment, communities, and the economy.

Register your business or see who is open

Support for businesses helpline

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

Stay informed with Council's Business and Investment eNews

 Subscribe to our newsletter today                                           eNews articles

Business and Investment Surveys and Reports

Available here

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:

    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.

    Information on JobKeeper payment extension (PDF) 

    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.

    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.

    Trade Mark COVID-19 Helpline - IP Australia have introduced their new 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

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

  • 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 have been developed to provide support to ratepayers and the business community that have been affected by the virus either directly or indirectly. These initiatives include:

    Rate concessions:

    1. A $100 concession will be provided to all owner-occupied residential properties on the July 2020 rates notice.
    2. The due date for payment of the July 2020 rate notice will be extended from 30 days to 60 days for all rateable properties.
    3. A new COVID-19 Financial Hardship policy has been adopted by Council to allow applications to be accepted from a broader range of ratepayers. This policy has also reduced the red-tape associated with making an application.

    Business Community

    A)      Commercial tenants of Council owned properties can apply to have rent relief extended for a further 3 months, to the                end of September 2020.

    B)      Economic stimulus initiatives (currently under development) include:

    • Establishment of a COVID-19 Opportunities Fund, to support local businesses build resilience, identify opportunities and reduce financial impacts during the recovery stage;
    • Increased advertising and promotion of the region in conjunction with Fraser Coast Tourism and Events (FCTE);
    • Incentivising airlines to re-establish flights to Hervey Bay (supported by funding from the Queensland Government);  and
    • Specialist business support, to provide specialist mentoring and support for businesses during the recovery stage.

    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.

    Stage 3 Roadmap to easing restrictions - Latest information for reopening businesses, effective 12noon, 03 July 2020.

    View the Queensland Government's roadmap to easing restrictions.

    COVID Safe checklist for Beauty Services, Nail Salons, Tanning, Tattoo Parlours and Spas

    COVID Safe checklist for dining in Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs, Clubs, RSL clubs and Hotels

    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.  

    Framework for COVID Safe businesses

    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 reopen and 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 reopen or increase 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