Queensland Business Boost Grant Round 3

The Queensland Government released details about Round 3 of its Business Boost Grants Program.

Round 3 of the Business Boost Grants Program opens for registrations of interest at 9am on 6 September 2023, with the full application open to those selected from the registrations of interest at 9am on 20 September 2023.

The Business Boost grants assists small businesses to enhance their efficiency and productivity.

This support includes funded activities in 3 project areas:

1. Future planning
2. Specialised and automated software
3. Planning and systems for staff management and development.

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

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• have between 2 and 19 employees (by headcount)
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST*
• have Queensland headquarters*
• be established and financially sound, experiencing growth and with a minimum turnover of $300,000 in the last financial year (2022–23)
• have a publicly accessible web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website and/or social media pages)
• not have been approved for funding under Round 1 or 2 of the Business Boost Grant program
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

*Your business must maintain this eligibility for the duration of the grant-funded activity.

Available Funding

You may be eligible to receive a grant payment between $10,000 and $20,000 (excluding GST) on completing your proposed project.

Successful applicants must equally co-contribute towards the total project cost.

Grant funding is paid within 12 months after completion of the project and only after fulfilling the acquittal requirements.

The Queensland Government will not fund projects with:

• a total cost of less than $20,000 (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

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

Future planning

• Strategic business planning for innovation and growth
• Implementing a governance board to guide strategic planning
• Identifying and capitalising on export opportunities while adhering to requirements
• Compliance with industry regulations and standards, including sustainability

Specialised and automated software

• Design and implementation of sophisticated cloud platforms, online management systems and/or applications including:
  • Artificial Intelligence systems (e.g. AI chatbots)
  • customer relationship management systems
  • cybersecurity tools
  • data warehouses
  • production systems
  • software integration (including specialised software subscriptions)
  • quality and compliance, and risk, management systems

Planning and systems for staff management and development

• Strategic human resource management fostering skills development, robust recruitment strategies, and seamless onboarding for new personnel
• Professional development through targeted transitional training and initiatives
• Employee performance management frameworks and evaluation systems

Ineligible Activities

DYJESBT will not fund the following:

• activities bought using crypto-currencies, cash, barter, or services in-kind
• activities purchased via direct selling (e.g. by party plan or network marketing)
• computer hardware/gadgets (e.g. computer servers, PCs, tablets/iPads, mobile phones, point of sales systems, headphones)
• delivery fees, credit card surcharges and international transaction fees
• fleet vehicles
• franchise fees
• general business operating costs (e.g. bookkeeping/accounting, tax returns, marketing/advertising activities)
• goods, services, or fees from related parties*
• GST, registration, and fees
• maintenance of existing digital technologies
• marketing, advertising or campaign delivery costs (e.g. Google AdWords, Facebook advertising or similar expenses)
• memberships, subscriptions and joining fees
• non-specialised software and licences (e.g. Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Apple iWork)
• outsourcing of recruitment services to employ staff
• purchase of stock
• real estate/property, hire, lease, or rental fees
• salaries and wages
• search engine optimisation (SEO)
• travel
• website hosting.

*DYJESBT will not fund goods, services, or fees from related parties. Related parties include companies with common shareholdings or directors, as well as employees or immediate family member

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.