Queensland Business Boost Grant Program – Round 2

Earlier today the Queensland Government released details about Round 2 of its Business Boost Grants Program.

Round 2 of the Business Boost Grants Program opens for registrations of interest at 9am on 12 August 2022, with the full application open to those selected from the registrations of interest at 9am on 29 August 2022.

The Business Boost Grants Program provides support to businesses to advance improvements in their efficiency and productivity.

This support includes funded activities in 3 project areas:

1. Future planning
2. Specialised and automated software
3. Staff management, development and planning

The program is administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• have fewer than 20 employees (by headcount) at the time of applying for the grant
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
• have a Queensland headquarters
• have a turnover of between $300,000 (minimum) and $600,000 (maximum) in the last financial year (2021–22)
• have a publicly reachable web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website and/or social media pages)
• not have been approved for funding under Round 1 of the Business Boost Grant Program
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Available Funding

You may be eligible to receive a grant payment of $15,000 (excluding GST) on completing your proposed project.

Successful applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the total project costs.

Grant funding will be paid after completion of the project and after compliant acquittal documentation is received.

The Queensland Government will not fund projects with:

• a total cost of less than $10,715 (excluding GST); or
• payments made before the approval date (you must be approved before you pay for grant-funded project activities).

There is a co-contribution calculator available on the Business Boost Grant website here.

Eligible Activities

DESBT will fund eligible project activities in any of these 3 priorities:

Future planning

• 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

• Design and implementation of management systems, including
  • data warehouses
  • asset management
  • customer relationship management systems
  • quality and compliance management
  • risk management
  • production systems
  • project management systems
  • quality and compliance management

• Bespoke or complex website design and build, including:
  • e-commerce
  • software integration
  • booking systems
  • cybersecurity tools
  • webinar/conferencing
  • customer accounts/logins
  • paywalls

Staff management, development and planning

• Human resource management skills building
• Professional development and training
• Digital workplace plans and systems for a remote workforce

Ineligible Activities

DESBT will not fund the following:

• activities bought using cryptocurrencies, barter, or services in-kind
• GST, registration, and fees
• real estate/property, hire, lease, or rental fees
• goods, services, or fees from related parties
• travel
• franchise fees
• purchase of stock
• general business operating costs (e.g. bookkeeping/accounting, tax returns, marketing/advertising activities)
• maintenance of existing digital technologies
• computer hardware/gadgets (e.g. computer servers, PCs, tablets/iPads, mobile phones, point of sales systems, headphones)
• website hosting
• stand-alone marketing, advertising or campaign delivery costs (e.g. Google AdWords, Facebook advertising or similar expenses)
• activities purchased via direct selling (e.g. by party plan or network marketing)
• delivery fees, credit card surcharges and international transaction fees
• memberships and joining fees
• salaries
• fleet vehicles.

If you’d like more information about the Business Boost Grant, including details of the application process, and grant guidelines, you can visit the Queensland Government website here.