Small business grants

The Queensland Government is committed to the growth and success of small business in Queensland.

Under the Advancing Queensland Small Business Strategy 2016–20, the following grant programs are available.

Queensland Small Business Month Grants

The Queensland Small Business Month Grants program provides funding to businesses that host an event as part of Queensland Small Business Month (QSBM), held from Friday 1 May to Sunday 31 May 2020.

Funding of up to $5,000 (GST excluded) is available for eligible Queensland individuals or organisations to host their own event as part of QSBM.

Read more about the Queensland Small Business Month Grants.

Business Growth Fund

The Business Growth Fund Program provides targeted assistance for small and medium businesses that demonstrate high-growth and employment aspirations. The fund will enable successful applicants to purchase and implement specialised equipment to help them seize growth opportunities.

Funding of up to $50,000 (excluding GST) is available for eligible businesses to purchase and implement highly specialised equipment or services. These purchases should enable businesses to move to the next stage of growth.

Successful applicants must provide a co-contribution of 25% to 50% of the total project cost. The government contribution will be determined by an assessment panel.

Read more about the Business Growth Fund Program.

Small Business Artisan Producer Grants Program

The Small Business Artisan Producer Grants Program will provide assistance to artisan producers of gourmet food (including non-alcoholic beverages) to help them grow their businesses, access new market opportunities and enhance their gourmet food expertise.

Funding of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible artisan producers to engage business consultants, mentors or digital experts to assist them to establish and grow their business, and to seize market opportunities as they arise.

Read more about the Small Business Artisan Producer Grants Program.

Small Business Digital Grants

The Small Business Digital Grants Program can assist small businesses to access digital technologies and services to help them to work smarter, engage with the global economy and make the most of online business opportunities arising from digital disruption.

Matching funding of up to $10,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses for the purchase of hardware, software and services (such as digital coaching). The business must show that the digital technology or service purchased and adopted will enhance the digital capabilities of their business, and help them be more competitive and employ more staff.

Read more about the Small Business Digital Grants Program.

Small Business Disaster Recovery Grants

Small Business Disaster Recovery Grants provide assistance to small businesses severely impacted by the North and Far North Queensland monsoonal trough to engage high-level expertise to help them recover and rebuild business confidence. Funding for building, plant and equipment repairs is available in specific circumstances.

Funding of up to $10,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses to engage business consultants, mentors, coaches or an advisory service to assist with business recovery following the monsoonal trough.

The grants have been jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Read more about the Small Business Disaster Recovery Grants Program.

Small Business Entrepreneur Grants Program

The Small Business Entrepreneur Grants Program can assist new small businesses to access professional advice and support in the critical early stages of establishing a business.

Matched funding of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) may be provided to eligible businesses to engage a consultant, advisor or business coach for up to 3 months to help establish or develop the business.

Read more about the Small Business Entrepreneur Grants Program.

Social Enterprise Grants Program

The Social Enterprise Grants Program will provide assistance between $5,000 to $50,000 to enable access to professional advice and support in the critical early stages of establishing and growing their business, and to assist in testing ideas in the market or using technology to achieve their reach and mission.

Read more about the Social Enterprise Grants Program.

Small business grants schedule

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training administers grants to support small businesses in Queensland to grow and thrive. These grants provide a range of options to assist businesses with coaching, advice, increasing digital capacity or purchasing specialised equipment to achieve high-growth potential.

To assist small businesses with planning applications for grant rounds, the department has released a grants schedule for 2019-20.

View the 2019–20 Small business grants schedule.

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