Australian and Queensland Governments COVID-19 support and information
The Australian Government and Queensland Government released the COVID-19 Stimulus Package to help support individuals and small businesses counteract the negative impact which COVID-19 is expected to have on the economy and to boost short term cash management for small and medium businesses that employ staff.
The Australian Government and Queensland Government has announced a range of initiatives to support businesses affected by COVID-19. The initiatives are designed to help businesses of all sizes withstand the economic impacts of the pandemic and support job.
For all your queries contact: Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687
Easing of Business Restrictions
The Queensland Government has developed a plan to ease coronavirus (COVID-19) business restrictions to ensure businesses can reopen in a way that increases business activity but does not compromise the health of customers, staff and the community.
Various lifting of restrictions have come into effect since 7 July 2020. Please refer to the Queensland Governments website for the latest Business Restrictions.
For more information on this, visit business.qld.gov.au
Stay informed
The Australian Government now has an official "Coronavirus Australia" app in the Apple App Store or Google Play. or join our WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.
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 coronavirus (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 novel coronavirus (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.
Register your interest in a Mentoring for Growth session.
Small business financial workshops
Small businesses can access a series of workshops to learn about financial management and business planning.
Register for workshops in a location near you.
Support for tourism operators and hospitality providers
Fees and charges relief 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 |
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JobKeeper Payment for Employers and Employees | Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak will be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per employee until 27 September 2020 to eligible small and now medium-sized businesses as well. From 28 September 2020, the payment will be reduced to $1,200 per fortnight. From 4 January 2021, the payment will be reduced to $1,000 per fortnight until the end of the JobKeeper payment scheme in March 2021. How to apply: Employers can register their interest at any time. From 28 September 2020, businesses and not-for-profits will be required to reassess their eligibility with reference to their actual GST turnover in the June and September quarters to demonstrate they have met the relevant decline in both quarters. Eligible employers will be able to apply for the scheme by means of an online application. The first payment will be received from the ATO in the first week of May 2020. For more information visit the Coronavirus information and support for business webpage. |
JobKeeper Payment for Sole Traders/ Self-employed |
The JobKeeper Payment understands that a sole trader is a business structure where the individual owner is legally responsible for all aspects of the business. A sole trader may or may not employ other people in their business.
The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per employee for up to 6 months to eligible businesses. Eligibility
How to apply: Sole Traders/Self-employed can register their interest from 30 March 2020 Eligible employers will be able to apply for the scheme by means of an online application. The first payment will be received from the ATO in the first week of May. For more information visit the Coronavirus information and support for business webpage. |
Power Bill relief |
Your business may be eligible for a $500 rebate off energy bills if you consume less than 100,000kWh.
This will be automatically applied on your business electricity bills. For more information download the Electricity Relief For Households And Businesses Q&A factsheet. |
Grants and support |
Grants and support
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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:
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:
For more information visit the Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries webpage. |
PAYG withholding relief |
The Government is now providing up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not-for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.
The Boosting Cash Flow for Employers provides eligible employees with tax-free payments to help cover the costs of employee wages. These payments are equal to 50% of PAYG Withholding withheld from salaries and wages paid between 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 up to a maximum of $25,000 (over the 6 months). |
Instant assets write-off threshold |
The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased to $150,000 until 30 June 2020. This means that any asset purchased from 12 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 costing less than $150,000 excluding GST will be fully deductible in the year of purchase. For more information visit the Australian Government - Increasing the Instant Asset Write-Off webpage. |
Employees of Apprentices and/or Trainees |
Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter).
Please note:
How to receive this subsidy:
For more information visit the Supporting apprentices and trainees webpage. |
Deferral of Payroll Tax |
The Queensland Government has also released a relief package to defer lodging and paying payroll tax returns until 31 July 2020.
You may be eligible if:
How to apply: Please see the following link where, if eligible, you can complete the online payroll tax deferral application form. |
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 |
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Jobs Finder Queensland – Support for Jobseekers | 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. |
Financial Assistance for Individuals
Support | Details |
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JobKeeper payment | Employers may be eligible to access a subsidy if they are unable to keep you on payroll due to COVID-19. If you have been stood down or recently lost your job due to COVID-19, talk to your employer to see if this subsidy would allow them to re-engage you until business restrictions are lifted. If you are currently on JobKeeper payments, payments will be extended from October 2020 to March 2021. The rate of $1,500 per fortnight will be reduce to $1,200 per fortnight starting from 28 September 2020, as well as a reduced rate for participants who worked fewer than 20 hours per week. Starting 4 January 2020, the rate will be reduced to $1,000 per fortnight. For more information, go to business.gov.au. |
Supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy |
If you are an apprentice/trainee and worried about employment, your employer may be eligible to receive a 50% subsidy for wages to retain you as an apprentice/trainee. These subsidy wages will be extended until 28 March 2021. Medium-sized businesses will be eligible for this in addition to the small businesses currently eligible. These subsidies will also be available to employers who re-engage eligible apprentices that were displaced. Find out more about this from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. |
Support for individuals and households | You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government. This includes:
For more information, visit the Australian Government website. |
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:
For more information visit the Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries webpage. |
Government Benefits |
You may be eligible to receive a one-off payment of $750. The payment will be made to all social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concessional card holders. This includes individuals receiving Newstart, families receiving family tax benefits and those who hold commonwealth senior’s health cards. How to receive this payment:
Please view the following link detailing who is eligible to receive this payment. |
Guidance and Support
Support | Details |
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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.
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Job searching and career guidance | In addition to job seeking websites, there are a variety of government-based support services available: |
Checking your rights and entitlements | Understand your rights and entitlements as an employee. Find out about:
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.
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Domestic and family violence Support | If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, find out about available information and services.
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