Published: May 21, 2020

Hi all!

We have some breaking news! The Queensland Government has released a program call the “Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program” which is designed to help small business adapt their operations and build resilience. The grant is up to $10,000 for successful applicants.
The grants are being offered on a “first in, first served” basis – so you need to act quickly!

An overview of the grant can be found here:
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/adaption

We have summarised the details for you:

Eligibility:

To be eligible, the business must:

• have been subject to closure or otherwise highly impacted by current shutdown restrictions announced by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer on 23 March 2020
• demonstrate that business revenue has been significantly impacted since 23 March 2020 over a minimum 1-month period due to the onset and management of COVID-19
• employ staff and have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) active as at 23 March 2020
• be registered for GST
• have a Queensland headquarters
• have an annual turnover over $75,000 for the last financial year
• have a payroll of less than $1.3 million
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Approved Funding Activities:

Funding can be put toward the following activities:

• financial, legal or other professional advice to support business sustainability and diversification
• strategic planning, financial counselling or business coaching aligned to business development and diversification
• building the business through marketing and communications activities, for example, content development (web pages, mobile apps, visual and audio media etc.)
• digital/technological strategy development
• digital training or re-training to adapt to new business models
• capital costs associated with meeting COVID-19 SAFE requirements
• specialised digital equipment or business specific software to move business operations online (e.g. logistics program for online ordering)
• meeting business costs, including utilities, rent.

If your business has already invested money toward these activities since 23 March 2020, they still qualify! The activities must be completed within 6 months from the date of approval.

What won’t be funded:

The following activities will not be funded by the Program:

• applications with a total cost less than $2,000;
• business costs otherwise supported by other Queensland and Commonwealth Government financial assistance measures;
• salaries;
• services delivered in-kind (grant funding will only cover services paid for via a financial transaction);
• purchase of business assets, such as stock or fleet vehicles/machinery;
• fees for services and/or goods provided by related parties (such as companies with common shareholdings or directorship with the applicant, and employees or immediate family of the applicant);
• direct-selling businesses (where sales of another business’ goods or services are made in the customer’s home, work or other meeting place through methods such as party plan and network marketing); and
• goods or services purchased, or any payments made, prior to 23 March 2020

Summary of the Process:

Please note that it is clearly stated that an applicant must only submit their own original answers, and not via a third party.

1. Online application: Complete using the following link:
   https://dtesb.smartygrants.com.au/adapt
2. Eligibility: This will be checked by DESBT
3. Assessment: DESBT will assess compliant applications and determine the amount of funding allocated to the applicant.
4. Applicants notified of outcome: All applicants will receive formal notification of the outcome of the application as soon as possible following assessments. After approval, successful applicants will receive 100 per cent of the eligible funding amount approved.
5. Acquittal: Applicants will have six months to complete their projects after receiving approval for the funding, and must acquit the total amount of funding received within one month of completion. Applicants must complete and submit an acquittal report through SmartyGrants and submit copies of supplier invoices and proof of purchase for the total project cost. The acquittal form is a simple online document providing information on the success and outcomes of the project to date, the activities undertaken and the learnings. Businesses will be surveyed six months after the completion of the Program

What you need to have ready for your application:

Your application must include:

• a statement describing how the funding will contribute to your small business during the COVID-19 crisis in terms of employment retention or outcomes, business capability and resilience, continuity, diversification, and/or digital capability of the business;
• evidence to demonstrate that business revenue has experienced a minimum 30 per cent decline since 23 March 2020 over a minimum one-month period due to the onset and management of COVID 19 (e.g. BAS statement, dated accountant letter on letterhead from a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand or the Institute of Public Accountants) * ;
• invoice and/or receipt of purchase if related to the purchase of specialised digital equipment or business specific software on or after 23 March 2020;
• declaration of employee head count;
• evidence of annual turnover; and
• evidence of annual payroll.

*I would recommend a report from your accounting software, comparing sales over a period, is the most effective evidence to show a downturn in sales. This could correspond to the period used for your JobKeeper application.