There are several excellent grants and programs you can access if you have a small business in Queensland. These are usually designed and implemented by the Queensland, Australian, and local governments (including the Department of Employment, Small Business, and Training) and aim to help businesses embrace innovation and capitalise on new opportunities using dedicated funds.
For 2022, you can find a new round of business grants that can provide financial support for small businesses and startups. In this article, we will cover the most interesting ones, how to apply for them, their eligibility and requirements, funding amounts, and closing dates.
Finding small business grants in Queensland
The Queensland government offers numerous funding programs to support small businesses, including helping establish new ones, growing, and succeeding in their respective markets. Some of the most popular activities covered by these government grants include innovation, expansion, research and development, commercialisation, and exporting. They also cover different industries and types of activities.
The economic assistance provided by the development programs is supported as well by mentoring services, workshops, seminars, industry-specific training, and networking opportunities. In some cases, you can also access free or subsidised products; for example, business planning tools.
Limitations of business grants
There are some very specific requirements you need to keep in mind before applying for small business grants managed by Queensland, Australian, and local government agencies. These generally relate to a particular industry or sector. For instance, some funding is only given to stimulate economic growth, to promote efficiency, or for a specific stage of the business cycle.
Some grants are also limited by the number of funds that have been allocated to the program. Others by time, business location, objectives, or the size of your company. Since applying for this type of support can be time-consuming, make sure you check all grant requirements before you begin with your application.
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The best Queensland government funding programs for 2022
Below are the planned grant rounds for this year. These are open as of August 2022 and include funding, assistance packages, and training for initiatives held in the Queensland region.
Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects
This grant is part of Advance Queensland, a program that supports regional innovation leaders to unlock Queensland’s economic potential. They do this by helping small businesses solve problems or create new opportunities for Queensland.
The amount available through this grant is up to $200,000. To be eligible, you must be based in the Queensland region, provide a Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects – Regional Engagement Officer certificate, and be able to match the funding you are requesting 1:1 in cash. You should also be able to begin your project within 60 business days of the grant being approved and complete it within 18 months. You can learn more about this grant here.
Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program (MHPG)
The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program was created to assist eligible businesses in Central Queensland, God Coast, Mackay, Cairns, and Townsville regions. The grant provides $18.5 million in funding to help manufacturers create jobs and become more productive. Their assistance includes development in skills and training, business development, technology adoption, and advanced robotic manufacturing.
To be eligible, you must operate in the regions mentioned above and have only one active funding agreement or application at a time. The first round is available for Cairns, Central Queensland, and Townsville. The second round for the Gold Coast and Mackay. To apply, contact your region’s manufacturing hub to discuss your project. You can do so online. Find out more about this program here.
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Queensland Jobs Fund (QJF)
This fund is one of the largest in Queensland; it offers $3.34 billion in funding to develop programs that can create new jobs, strengthen the economy, and boost the state’s industry footprint. If your company has a project that can potentially deliver ongoing economic benefits to Queensland, you can apply for this program.
The Queensland Jobs Fund encompasses several Industry Development programs that plans on investing $350 million over four years. Among the priority industry sectors are manufacturing, biofutures, hydrogen, biomedical, aerospace, defence, space, METS, and resource recovery. The fund includes also several programs such as the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, the Backing Queensland Business Investment Fund, the Building Acceleration Fund, and the Made in Queensland and Manufacturing Hubs schemes. Learn more about the QJF here.
User Choice program
The User Choice program makes public funding available for training and assessment services for trainees and apprentices in Queensland. Its goal is to deal with critical skill shortages in the region by responding to changing government priorities.
The scheme allows apprentices, employees, and employers to choose a registered training organisation (RRTO) from a pre-approved list of suppliers. User Choice works in conjunction with the Commonwealth Australian Apprenticeships system and allows trainees (or “Australian Apprentices”) to enter training contracts that are legally binding. The program also will enable them to receive nationally recognised qualifications. You can find more information about the User Choice program here.
Tourism Experience Development Fund
This fund aims to provide between $50,000 and $200,000 destined for financial assistance to tourism operators in Queensland. The goal is to help them develop new or enhanced tourism experiences and products. The action plan outlines a vision that can fill the Queensland visitor economy with growth, jobs, and better environmental and community outcomes.
The fund also aims to drive demand for Queensland destinations, rebuild visitor confidence in the region’s tourism industry, and meet the changing preferences of travelers by offering new and enhanced products. This also includes improving the customer experience of existing offerings, increasing the number of overnight visitors, and delivering sustainable benefits for the community. The minimum grant available is $50,000 and the maximum $200,000. If you secure a sport in the scheme, you will need to contribute at least 75% of your project cost. Learn more about the Tourism Experience Development Fund here.
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Community Partnership Innovation grants
This program already distributed over $1.4 million in funds across Queensland in 2021-2022- and there are many new rounds planned. The Community Partnership Innovation grants support short-term or one-off projects helping young people (who could otherwise be engaged in high-risk behaviour) form a connection with their community.
The Community Partnership Innovation grants embraces new ideas and encourages proposals that can complement existing local responses and are designed using knowledge and evidence of their community and industry. You can learn more about this program here.
Touring Queensland Fund
The Touring Queensland Fund (or TQF Quick) provides artists, art organisations, and presenters based in the region (including galleries, performing art venues, and museums) with grants to help support art performances and exhibition touring and activities that can engage the community. The fund will give up to $20,000 for tours that include at least three regional Queensland locations (or two in Queensland and one metropolitan) and activities that promote community engagement as part of confirmed exhibition or performance art tours in regional areas. To apply, you must be based in Queensland, demonstrate your touring product, and include at least three Queensland locations. Learn more about this fund here.
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