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Australian and Queensland Governments COVID-19 support and information

Stay informed

Emergency business hotlines:

Federal Government Business Hotline - 13 28 46
Queensland Business Hotline - 1300 654 687
Australian Taxation Office Emergency Hotline - 1800 806 218
Centrelink Hotline - 13 74 68

Australian Government Small Business Support Page

Visit the Australian Government business website for coronavirus information and support for business.

Here you will find financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the new government support for Australian businesses.

Information and services to help you if you’re affected by COVID-19 or you are looking for more details on how the Australian Government can help visit the Services Australia website.

Queensland Government Small Business Support Page

The Queensland Government has support for those impacted by the international outbreak of COVID-19.

Visit the novel coronavirus small business support page for more information.

COVID-19 Grants

There are a number of community and business packages available for COVID-19 relief from the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Often finding and accessing this funding can seem a complicated and difficult task, visit: https://townsville.grantguru.com.au/ to see the full list of available grants. Please read the eligibility carefully, as some grants are for very specific areas.

Government advice for small businesses

Know your responsibilities

For information on your responsibilities as an employer read through this page. Ensure that this information is shared and accessible to your staff.

Small business mentoring sessions

Register your business with Mentoring for Growth (M4G), a free program which helps you to engage with experienced business mentors.

Small business financial workshops

Small businesses can access a series of workshops to learn about financial management and business planning.

Support for tourism operators and hospitality providers

Free financial counselling services for tourism operators and hospitality providers can be found here.

Counselling and support for small businesses

Counselling and Support website

A range of resources and support services are available for impacted businesses who feel they need additional mentoring or assistance. Support services for businesses impacted
If your employment has been impacted, access information about employee rights, entitlements and support available. Support for impacted employees
The Queensland Government provides interpreting services through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or phone 131 450.

Further detailed information for small businesses

Support	Details
A hold on evictions for renters (individuals and businesses)	The Australian Government, together with the states and territories have agreed on a common set of principles that will impact Businesses: a short term, temporary moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent to be applied across commercial tenancies impacted by severe rental distress due to coronavirus tenants and landlords are encouraged to agree on rent relief or temporary amendments to the lease the reduction or waiver of rental payment for a defined period for impacted tenants the ability for tenants to terminate leases and/or seek mediation or conciliation on the grounds of financial distress commercial property owners should ensure that any benefits received in respect of their properties should also benefit their tenants in proportion to the economic impact caused by coronavirus landlords and tenants not significantly affected by coronavirus are expected to honour their lease and rental agreements cost-sharing or deferral of losses between landlords and tenants, with Commonwealth, state and territory governments, local government and financial institutions to consider mechanisms to provide assistance Commercial tenants, landlords and financial institutions are encouraged to talk about short term agreements. More information about this will be available this week. Visit business.gov.au for updated information.
Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries	The Government has set aside an initial $1 billion allocation to support those regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as: tourism agriculture education For more information visit the Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries webpage.

Support

Details

A hold on evictions for renters (individuals and businesses)

The Australian Government, together with the states and territories have agreed on a common set of principles that will impact Businesses:

a short term, temporary moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent to be applied across commercial tenancies impacted by severe rental distress due to coronavirus
tenants and landlords are encouraged to agree on rent relief or temporary amendments to the lease
the reduction or waiver of rental payment for a defined period for impacted tenants
the ability for tenants to terminate leases and/or seek mediation or conciliation on the grounds of financial distress
commercial property owners should ensure that any benefits received in respect of their properties should also benefit their tenants in proportion to the economic impact caused by coronavirus
landlords and tenants not significantly affected by coronavirus are expected to honour their lease and rental agreements
cost-sharing or deferral of losses between landlords and tenants, with Commonwealth, state and territory governments, local government and financial institutions to consider mechanisms to provide assistance

Commercial tenants, landlords and financial institutions are encouraged to talk about short term agreements.

More information about this will be available this week.

Visit business.gov.au for updated information.

Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries

The Government has set aside an initial $1 billion allocation to support those regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as:

tourism
agriculture
education

For more information visit the Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries webpage.

Support for Individuals

The Queensland Government has opened a new online portal that will connect Queenslanders who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 with new job opportunities. This is among some of the recent initiatives that are part of a $4 billion package of measures to support Queenslanders’ health, Queensland jobs and Queensland businesses. These initiatives are designed to help people withstand the economic impacts of the pandemic and support jobs.

For information on this and more, visit the Queensland Government website.

Assistance to find work

Support	Details
Jobs Finder Queensland – Support for job seekers	Queensland Government has rolled out a new portal for people whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19 and are looking for work. You can register your details to be matched with suitable job opportunities in priority job sectors. Visit the Queensland Government website for more details.
Free online TAFE courses	TAFE Queensland has skill sets and micro-credentials in a range of different courses available online. To qualify, you must be a Queensland resident, and a job seeker or worker impacted by COVID-19. Visit TAFE Queensland for more information.
Worker Transition scheme and rapid response	The Worker Transition Scheme and rapid response provides a suite of information and support services for those workers who may find themselves without work as a result of business closures or redundancy programs. For help in accessing the appropriate services, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68). Visit the Queensland Government website for more information.
Changes to temporary work visa arrangements	The Federal Government has issued a series of changes to temporary visa holders in response to current events. Visit the Australian Government website for more information.

Guidance and Support

Support	Details
Seek help to reduce your expenses	If you have lost your job, or are worried about losing your job, it makes sense to reduce your expenses where possible. Queensland Government and organisations are moving to help people achieve this. Rental evictions on hold – State and territory governments will be moving to put a temporary ban on evictions for 6 months for commercial and residential tenancies affected financially by COVID-19. Relief for residential tenants – If you are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, you may be eligible for a crisis payment of up to $500/week for up to 4 weeks. Call your bank – If you need flexibility with finance, loan, and debt, talk to your bank sooner versus later. If you are struggling or in crisis, get help from moneysmart.gov.au to help with financial counselling.
Job searching and career guidance	In addition to job seeking websites, there are a variety of government-based support services available: Centrelink Disability Employment Service Jobactive and Jobsearch Labour hire What’s Next My Skills
Checking your rights and entitlements	Understand your rights and entitlements as an employee. Find out about: Flexible working arrangements Leave entitlements Awards and wages Workplaces conditions, health, and safety. If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed by your employer, contact the Fair Work Commission.
Mental health support	If you are struggling with your mental health during this time, there are a variety of government-based support services available. Resources from Queensland Mental Health Commission Mental wellbeing support service Information, strategies, and advice on your wellbeing and mental health from Beyond Blue
Domestic and family violence Support	If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, find out about available information and services. Domestic violence portal Queensland Police Service domestic violence reporting tool.