Summary of QLD COVID-19 lockdown business support
Support measures introduced to help QLD businesses during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown
Outlined below is a summary of government support to help Queensland businesses during the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns and in recovery, including new measures announced in July and August. Chartered Accountants can help businesses break down the information for their clients and stakeholders.
We encourage you to regularly check the Business Queensland website for the latest details on COVID-19 business assistance.
Practitioners who may be behind on tax lodgements should also familiarise themselves with the ATO’s supported lodgement program. The program can be accessed through online services for agents via Practice mail. All you need to do is select ‘Debt and lodgement’ followed by, ‘Supported lodgement program’, then ‘I am enquiring on behalf of practice’ and then type 'I need help’ in the subject line and click on the send button. From there an ATO staff member will contact you to discuss and co-design a lodgement plan for overdue and upcoming obligations.
Measure | Summary | Resources |
COVID-19 Disaster Payment |
Eligible Queensland workers who are impacted by the State's lockdowns can apply for the Commonwealth Government’s COVID-19 Disaster payment of:
There is no liquid assets test to receive these payments. Applications can be made on the Services Australia website. The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is non assessable income and non exempt income for tax purposes. This applies to assessments for the 2020-21 income year onwards. |
Prime Minister's announcement 28 July 2021 Premier’s announcement 31 July 2021 |
2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant |
QLD Government funded Business Support Grants of $5,000 for eligible small and medium businesses and not for profits and large tourism and hospitality businesses and NFPs across QLD impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Eligibility requirements for large tourism and hospitality businesses and NPs are as above and you must operate in the tourism and hospitality sector – check the ANZSIC codes Applicants should refer to the Business Queensland website for detailed eligibility criteria, guidelines, FAQs and the accountant letter template. The grant may be tax free now that the Commonwealth Bill has passed. Refer to the ATO guidance. Applications open: midday on 16 August 2021. Applications close: 16 November 2021. |
Treasurer’s announcement 2 August 2021 Premier’s announcement 10 August 2021 Guidelines |
Additional 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants |
The Commonwealth and QLD Governments have agreed to jointly fund an increase in the value of the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants to $600M (up from $260M) to provide additional support for non-employing sole traders and small, medium and large businesses that have experienced a decline in turnover of more than 30%. The package includes:
Applications opened at 12pm (midday), 16 August 2021 for employing QLD businesses. Applications are not yet open for non-employing sole traders in QLD. The online application form will be available in September. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can register your interest now. The payments may be tax free now that the Commonwealth Bill has passed. Refer to the ATO guidance. Subscribe to the QLD Government’s Small Business Connect newsletter for updates. |
Treasurer’s announcement 13 August 2021 Register your interest to apply |
Tourism and hospitality sector COVID-19 lockdown support package |
QLD Government funded $47.75 million support package for eligible hospitality or tourism business impacted by the recent COVID-19 lockdowns in SEQ or Cairns of any further lockdowns in QLD in August 2021 including rebates, fee and payroll tax relief measures:
Applications open at 12pm (midday), 16 August 2021. Refer to the Business Queensland website for further information and subscribe to the QLD Government’s Small Business Connect newsletter for updates. |
Premier’s announcement 10 August 2021 Business Queensland information Small Business Connect newsletter |
QLD COVID-19 Cleaning Rebate |
A rebate for eligible small and medium businesses and not for profits to help cover up to 80% of professional cleaning expenses, capped at $10,000 per incident. Eligibility:
The clean must be undertaken in the 2021–22 financial year. This includes cleaning aligned to the SEQ and Townsville lockdown that commenced on 29 June 2021. More details on how to access the rebate through the Business Queensland website will be available in the near future. |
Premier’s announcement 10 August 2021 Small Business Minister’s announcement 13 August 2021 Business Queensland information Small Business Connect newsletter |
Business Basics (Round 2) Regional Queensland | One off grant payments of $5,000 for eligible businesses in Regional Queensland. Further information will be available on the Business Queensland website shortly Applications open: 9am on 8 September 2021 Subscribe to the QLD Government’s Small Business Connect newsletter for updates. |
Business Queensland information Small Business Connect newsletter |
QLD Small Business Commissioner |
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) provides information and advocacy support to small businesses, and informal resolution and mediation of matters related small business leases impacted by COVID-19. |
QSBC information |
Last updated: 23 August 2021
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