The Queensland Government has changed the next round of the Business Boost Grant, opening for registration and applications in August 2022.
Successful applicants will be eligible for up to $15,000 to support a project in future planning, specialised and automated software, or staff management, development and planning.
However, applicants must be able to co-contribute at least 30% of the project, with the project costing no less than $10,715 (excluding GST).
Grant funding will only be paid after the completion of the project and the government has received the compliant acquittal documentation.
Let’s look at how to apply for the QLD Government’s Business Boost Grant in August 2022.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional, legal or government advice. Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this article is correct at the time of publishing, as of 5 August 2022. Localsearch nor the author are liable for any misuse of the information on this page.
5 Easy Steps to Applying for the QLD Government Business Boost Grant
1. Check your eligibility.
To be eligible for the August 2022 Business Boost Grant, your business must:
- Have fewer than 20 employees on headcount.
- Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be registered for GST.
- Have headquarters located in Queensland.
- Have a turnover of between $300,000 and $600,000 in the last 2021–2022 financial year.
- Have a publicly reachable web presence to identify your business operations, such as a website or social media pages for your business.
- Not have been approved for funding in Round1 of the Business Boost Grant program.
- Not be insolvent or have owners or directors who are an undischarged bankrupt.
Your business must meet the eligibility requirements at the time of registering, and maintain eligibility throughout the application process and for the duration of the grant-funded activity.
Businesses must also be able to co-contribute at least 30% of the total project cost, with grant payment not received until project completion and compliant acquittal documentation has been received.
Projects will not be funded if:
The total cost is less than $10,715 (excluding GST).
OR
You have paid for the project before you have been approved.
Visit the Queensland Government Grant support page for the co-contribution calculator.
Eligible activities include:
Future planning activities, such as:
- Strategic business planning for innovation or growth.
- Implementing a governance board to guide strategic planning.
- Exporting opportunities and requirements.
- Compliance with industry regulations and standards.
Specialised and automated software, such as:
- Data warehouses.
- Asset management.
- Customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
- Risk management.
- Production systems.
- Project management systems.
- Quality and compliance management.
Bespoke or complex website or application design and build, including:
- eCommerce.
- Software integration.
- Booking systems.
- Cybersecurity tools.
- Webinar/conferencing.
- Customer accounts/logins.
- Paywalls.
Staff management, development and planning, such as:
- Human resource management skills building.
- Professional development and training.
- Digital workplace plans and systems for a remote workforce.
DESBT will also consider similar projects to the above for eligibility for the grant.
However, what will not be funded are activities outside of the above, including:
- Salaries.
- Fleet vehicles.
- Memberships and joining fees.
- GST registration and fees.
- Activities bought with cryptocurrencies, barter or service in-kind payment.
- Real estate, property, hire, lease or rental fees.
- Travel.
- Franchise fees.
- Stock purchasing.
- General business operating cost.
- Stand-alone marketing, including Google Ads, Facebook marketing and more.
You can also check your eligibility for the Business Boost Grant Program at the bottom of the Queensland Government’s information page.
2. Register for a DESBT SmartyGrants Applicant Account.
Businesses will want to ensure they have created their Department of Employment, Small Business & Training (DESBT) SmartyGrants Applicant Accounts as early as possible before registration on 12 August 2022.
For those with an existing account, ensure you know your current login details and check your account well before the registration date.
You will not be able to register for the grant until 9:00am, 12 August 2022.
Now is also a good time to start collecting documents for your full application.
3. Register your interest at 9:00am, 12 August 2022.
You will be able to register your interest for the Business Boost Grant from 9:00am, 12 August 2022 via your DESBT SmartyGrants Applicant Account.
The Queensland Government has advised there are no limits to registration numbers, however, eligible businesses can only register once.
You will be notified if your registration of interest (ROI) is accepted with an invitation to submit a full application on 29 August 2022.
If you are not successful for full application, you will be notified within 5 business days.
4. Submit your application from 11:59pm, 29 August 2022.
For those businesses who receive an invitation to submit a full application, you will be able to do so from 11:59pm, 29 August 2022.
You will need the following supporting evidence for your application:
- A signed and appropriately witnesses statutory declaration from the business owner or director declaring the business had a gross turnover of between $300,000 and $600,000 in the last financial year (2021–2022) and meets all grant eligibility criteria.
- Independent supplier quotes (no more than 2) on the supplier’s letterhead (or a shopping cart print-out with the supplier’s name), including the supplier’s name, ABN (if Australian), contact details, website URL, details of the grant-funded activity, description or services and outlining key activities.
You may also need to provide evidence of your headquarters being in Queensland if your Australian Business Registrar (ABR) shows your main business location is outside of the state. Evidence may include a copy of your Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Company Statement with your Queensland address shown as your principal place of business, and an accountant’s letter confirming the change of primary business location.
5. Await the outcome and complete the grant activity.
You will receive a notification from DESBT if your grant application is successful. Once approved, you must:
- Start the grant-funded activity within one (1) month of entering into the agreement with DESBT.
- Complete the grant-funded project within 6 to 12 months of receiving your approval letter.
- Not pay for grant-funded activities before entering into the funding agreement.
- Deliver the grant-funded activity as per your funding agreement.
- Advise DESBT of any proposed variations for approval by emailing boost@desbt.qld.gov.au as soon as possible.
Need a supplier quote for a bespoke or eCommerce website for the Business Boost Grant?
Contact Localsearch on 1300 360 867 or visit our Contact Page to request your free, no-obligation quote.
We’ve helped thousands of businesses through the grants process and would love to help you too.