Expressions of Interest open 9am, Monday 24 June 2024
The Queensland Government has released details about Round 4 of its Business Boost Grants Program.
Round 4 of the Business Boost Grants Program opens for registrations of interest at 9am on Monday, 24 June 2024, closing at 5pm on Friday, 5 July 2024.
Selected applications from the registration of interest will then be invited to submit a full application via the DESBT SmartyGrants portal.
The Business Boost grants assists small businesses to enhance their efficiency and productivity. Funded business are expected to:
- boost turnover, profit and employment
- increase business confidence and skills
- enhance the business’ efficiency and productivity
- improve business resilience and survivability.
This support includes funded activities in three project areas:
- Future planning
- Specialised and automated software
- Planning and systems for staff management and development.
The program is administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).
Eligibility
To be eligible for Round 4 of the Business Boost Grants program, your business must:
- have more than 1 and less than 20 employees (by headcount)*
- be operating and have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be registered for GST
- have a registered Queensland headquarters location (as per your Australian Business Register (ABR) record)
- be established and financially sound
- experiencing growth, with a gross profit in the 2023-24 financial year
- have a turnover of $300,000 (minimum) in the 2023-24 financial year
- have a publicly accessible web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website, social media pages)
- not have been approved for funding under earlier Business Boost rounds
- not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.
*Headcount includes all full time, part time and casual employees including non-executive directors.
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). If successful, funding is paid in two milestone payments:
- Milestone 1: On completion of a compliant 3-month report – 50%
- Milestone 2: On acquittal at project completion – 50%
Successful applicants must equally co-contribute towards the total project cost.
The Queensland Government will not fund projects with:
- a total cost of less than $20,000 (excluding GST); or
- payments made before submitting the Stage 2: Full Application (project must not have commenced substantially).
Eligible Activities
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training will fund eligible project activities in any of these three priority areas:
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 and crime prevention software and 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
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training will not fund the following activities:
- goods and services paid using crypto-currencies, cash, barter, or services in-kind
- goods and services bought 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)
- goods, services, or fees from related parties*
- GST, registration, and fees
- maintenance of existing digital technologies
- marketing/advertising services of any kind
- memberships, subscriptions and joining fees
- non-specialised software and licences (e.g. Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)
- 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 and accommodation
- website hosting
- utilities (e.g internet, phone, water and/or waste bills).
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training 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
Application Process
Applying is free via the DESBT SmartyGrants portal when the grant round opens.
Applicants will be notified at the end of each stage (ROI shortlisting and Full Application) of their outcome.
This grant program is competitively assessed in 2 stages, meaning not all applications will be funded:
- Stage 1: Registration of interest (ROI)
- Stage 2: Full application
Stage 1: Registration of interest (ROI)
- Opens for ROI applications at 9am, Monday 24 June 2024.
- Closes for ROI applications at 5pm, Friday 5 July 2024.
Note: DESBT does not accept late submissions under any circumstances.
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.
