Many small business owners were forced to close their doors during the Covid-19 pandemic, and many are still grappling with ever-changing health and safety requirements, business restructuring, and the lingering thought of another potential future shutdown. As the Coronavirus pandemic drags on many are still operating at a limited capacity or have failed to open their doors back up; particularly those that relied on foot traffic. The residual uncertainty has taken its toll from both a financial and emotional standpoint.
Closing and reopening business is not without cost, which is why the Australian Government has offered several different grants and rebate programs, for your convenience, we have put together a Small Business Grants Guide below:
NATIONAL
JobKeeper [Extended]
JobKeeper will continue to be available to eligible businesses (including the self-employed) and not-for-profit until 28 March 2021.
https://www.ato.gov.au/Newsroom/smallbusiness/General/JobKeeper-Payment-enrolments-still-open/
JobMaker Hiring Credit
The Australian Government has announced the JobMaker Hiring Credit to encourage businesses to hire young people for new positions. Eligible employers can receive the payment for up to 12 months (between 7 October 2020 to 6 October 2021) for new jobs that employ an eligible young person.
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/JobMaker-Hiring-Credit/
NEIS
People interested in starting their own business or existing micro-business owners who need help to refocus their business during COVID-19 may be eligible for New Business Assistance with NEIS.
https://www.employment.gov.au/self-employment-new-business-assistance-neis
QUEENSLAND
Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program
Up to $100 million is being made available to deliver the second round of grants, with half of this funding specifically earmarked for regional small businesses located outside of South East Queensland.
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/adaption
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.
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/entrepreneur-grants
The Rural Economic Development (RED)
The Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants offered up to $250,000 in co-contribution grants to agribusiness projects to strengthen primary production sectors and bolster rural communities.
https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/program/rural-economic-development-grants
Back to Work Regional
The Back to Work Regional program gives Queensland employers the confidence to take on new employees and to use this opportunity to grow their businesses.
Eligible employers will receive payments of up to $20,000 to hire an unemployed jobseeker in a full-time position.
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/back-to-work
NEW SOUTH WALES
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) grants
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) grants are designed for pre-revenue technology startups to help them engage with a potential business customer, or channel to market, to achieve market validation and first sale.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/support-for-startups/minimum-viable-product-grants
Building Partnerships Grant
Building Partnerships grants help revenue-generating startups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) scale or grow by acquiring a key customer or channel to market.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/support-for-startups/building-partnerships-grants
Minimum Viable Product grants
Access a stipend to help with travel costs and find out about your local innovation network.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/support-for-startups/regional
VICTORIA
Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package
The $58 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package business grants help businesses adapt their operations to outdoor dining. Grants are available to licensed and unlicensed hospitality businesses, including restaurants, cafes, pubs/taverns, bars, clubs, and takeaway food venues.
Small Business Digital Adaptation Program
The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will allow eligible businesses to trial and then receive access to digital products, tools, and training they can use to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations.
Sole Trader Support Fund
The $100 million Sole Trader Support Fund provides support to non-employing Victorian sole traders operating out of commercial premises or locations within specific sectors.
Business Resilience Package
The Victorian Government is investing $3 billion to help businesses impacted by ongoing restrictions and prepare for COVID Normal business.
TASMANIA
Small Business Energy Support Grant Program Round 2
This grant program aims to assist Tasmanian small businesses impacted by COVID-19 with their electricity, water, and sewage costs.
https://www.business.tas.gov.au/covid-19_business_support_packages/covid-19_small_business_energy_support_grant_program2
Grants and other funding programs may be available from the Australian, State, and Territory governments and, in some cases, from local councils. The following table of grants and funding sources is put together by Business Tasmania.
https://www.business.tas.gov.au/funding
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Skills Training Support
During this challenging time, the South Australian Government is offering businesses across the state impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic extra support to continue skills training.
https://business.sa.gov.au/Skills-for-Business-package
Great State Vouchers
Available to download from 5 January 2021, the second iteration of the Great State Voucher program valued at more than $2 million, will provide $100 vouchers for use at participating CBD and North Adelaide stays, and $50 vouchers to spend on regional and suburban accommodation.
https://business.sa.gov.au/news-events/State-Government-announces-second-round-of-Great-S
Small Business Cash Grants
Small businesses and not-for-profits still hard hit by COVID-19 have so far received more than $12 million in cash grants since the scheme’s second round was launched two weeks ago. The deadline for applications has been extended from December 14 2020 to midnight February 28, 2021.
https://business.sa.gov.au/news-events/$12-million-in-second-small-business-cash-grants-o
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Coronavirus relief packages
The Western Australian Government continues to announce measures to support small business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You can view the current relief packages available via this link: https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/blog/wa-coronavirus-relief-package
Perth Business grants
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the Perth community and at its meeting held on 28 July 2020, the Council approved a range of initiatives to help local businesses and residential communities rebound successfully.
https://www.perth.wa.gov.au/live-and-work/businesses/business-grants
NORTHERN TERRITORY
If you run a business in the Northern Territory (NT), you may be able to apply for improvement grants or funding.
Smarter Business Solutions
If you are a Northern Territory (NT) business, Aboriginal enterprise, or not-for-profit organisation you can get help to reduce day-to-day energy, water, waste, and material costs through the Smarter Business Solutions program.
Business Innovation Program
The Business Innovation Program (BIP) helps Northern Territory (NT) businesses develop and commercialise innovation concepts.
Business Growth Program
If you run a business in the Northern Territory, you may be able to apply for grants or funding to improve your business.
https://nt.gov.au/industry/start-run-and-grow-a-business/grow-your-business/business-growth-program
Aboriginal workforce grants
If you are a Northern Territory (NT) business or organisation, you can apply for funding for projects that support the employment of Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal Business Development Program
The Aboriginal Business Development Program assists Aboriginal people interested in starting or expanding an existing business in the Northern Territory (NT).
To know more about small business grants, book a discovery call or contact us at 1300 459 302 and get one on one advice from our business experts here at UpCoach.
