NAVIGATE ASSISTANCE MEASURES AND RESOURCES
This page is aimed at assisting Gold Coast businesses navigate assistance measures and resources from the three levels of government and other relevant agencies. It will be updated regularly.
You can also get up-to-the-minute information by following the RDA Gold Coast Facebook page.
CITY OF GOLD COAST SUPPORT
City of Gold Coast has introduced measures designed to provide immediate financial support for local businesses currently in survival mode with reduced revenue and significant cash flow difficulties.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Find financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the new Federal Government support for Australian businesses at www.business.gov.au
JobKeeper Payment & Extension (ATO)
The JobKeeper Payment scheme is a subsidy for businesses significantly affected by COVID-19.
COVID-19 Assistance (ATO)
Information about ATO measures and tailored support during COVID-19. If you’re worried you won’t be able to pay on time, or you’ve already missed a due date the ATO have a range of options to support you.
Help with Paying (ATO)
If you’re unable to pay your tax time due to the impact of COVID-19 or recent natural disaster, contact the ATO as early as possible to discuss your situation.
Boosting Cash Flow for Employers
If your small or medium-sized business employs staff and has an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million, you may be eligible for two sets of cash flow boosts up to $100,000.
Your Safety Net
Temporary changes to insolvency laws mean businesses have a safety net so they can resume normal operations when the crisis has passed.
Your Investment Decisions
If your aggregated turnover is below $500 million a time limited 15-month investment incentive may apply when you buy certain new depreciable assets.
Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
The Government has committed to a $1 billion JobTrainer Fund, and has extended the wage subsidy for apprentices and trainees to help businesses keep their apprentices and trainees in work.
Support for Coronavirus-affected Regions and Sectors
The Government has set aside $1 billion to support communities, regions and industries most significantly affected by the coronavirus.
Supporting the Flow of Credit
The Government will provide a guarantee of 50% to SME lenders to support new short-term unsecured loans to SMEs
Sole Traders
Government support for sole traders, including JobKeeper, JobSeeker and the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme.
Not-for-profit Organisations
Government support for NFPs, including JobKeeper, JobSeeker and the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme.
QUEENSLAND RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
COVID-19 Business Assistance Finder
Use this tool to discover what support is available from the Queensland and Australian Governments, plus Queensland local councils. Need more guidance? Phone the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687
Small Business Financial Counselling Service
The SBFCS offer a free and confidential service to review, analyse, support, and provide business options, referring to other professionals when the need is identified. For more info call 1300 732 777.
Tenancy and Lease Dispute Assistance
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides assistance resolving small business tenancy disputes and affected lease disputes.
Business Impact Survey
Take the Queensland Government's business impact survey so you can be linked with relevant support.
SUPPORT & RESOURCES FOR QLD TOURISM OPERATORS
Tourism Industry Support Packages
Tourism industry support packages and resources from the Queensland Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation
Support for liquor & gaming licensees
Support includes waiving 2020–21 liquor licensing fees for current licensees as at 30 June 2020, payroll tax relief, funds for re-training and job-matching, and providing a $500 rebate on electricity bills.
Support for Inbound Tour Operators
Renewal fees for Queensland registered inbound tour operators which fall due between 1 February 2020 and 31 July 2020 will be waived for 12 months.
Support for Commercial Tourism Operators
Waiving of daily fees for commercial tour operators working on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service-managed areas.
Support for Tourism Lease, Licence & Permit Holders
Rent relief for holders of tourism leases, licences and permits to occupy on state land.
Tourism Industry COVID-safe Plans and Guidelines
Developed by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council
Tourism Industry Workforce Development
Workforce development resources for the Tourism industry from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council
TRAINING AND MENTORING SUPPORT
COVID-19 Financial Resilience Webinars
Training and mentoring packages are available for eligible small businesses from the DESBT, partnering with TAFE Queensland. These webinars will help identify risks, build financial skills and plan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the business. Webinars are fully funded by the Qld Government at no cost.
TAFE Queensland ISO Learn
Free online skill sets and micro-credentialing courses are being offered by TAFE Qld in areas including food service, community care, health service, customer engagement, mentoring and supervision, mental health, farm labourer skills, transport driver skills, communication technologies, digital literacy, digital data, data analysis and cyber security.
Online Training for Small Business
If your business has been impacted by COVID-19, you can access a free online library of courses tailored to small business. Access is free to Queensland small businesses but registration is required, including details to verify your business.
Mentoring for Growth
The Mentoring for Growth program currently has more than 50 mentors ready to connect with impacted small businesses. Mentors are available to provide tailored support including financial mentoring and business planning.
Tourism and Hospitality Micro-credentialing program
Will provide 400 tourism and hospitality businesses with the opportunity to acquire specific skills, or micro-credentials, through a comprehensive online delivery platform. QTIC aims to reach at least 1,750 tourism and hospitality employees with this new tool.
QTIC Business Capability Program
QTIC has delivered four webinars and is offering tourism business 4 x one on one coaching sessions related to the following four topics: COVID reopening preparation; Pivoting product and innovation; Domestic trade and distribution; and Domestic marketing.
COVID-19 BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEYS
RDA Gold Coast has conducted two surveys to help understand the effects COVID-19 has had on Gold Coast businesses. The first survey looked at how businesses are reacting to Government support packages, their current situation and future projections. The second survey tracked how businesses were travelling in areas such as cashflow, revenue, staffing, tax issues, rent relief, supply chain issues and mental health, and gathered detailed information on areas where businesses needed direct assistance. Click below to view reports.
SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES
Small businesses on the Gold Coast have access to the Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS) Digital Solutions program. The program provides low cost, high quality online workshops, webinars and one-on-one virtual consultations to help small businesses enhance their online presence and compete in a digital world.
GENERAL BUSINESS RESOURCES & SUPPORT
Business Queensland
A broad range of information, tools and support services offered by the Queensland Government to help you start, run or grow a small business.
business.gov.au
The Australian Govenrment's business portal, with simple access to information on starting, running or exiting a business.
ABLIS
The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) helps you find the licences and information you need for your business.
TAFE Small Business Solutions
Small Business Solutions helps you design and implement ideas for your business with workshops and one-on-one mentoring.
Mentoring for Growth
Mentoring for Growth (M4G) offers eligible businesses access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business.
Workplace Health & Safety Small Business Program
Resources, services and advisory visits to help small businesses stay safe, healthy and productive.
New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)
NEIS provides accredited training, business mentoring and support to help eligible individuals start their own business.
SelfStart
From planning, finding local support, through to perfecting your pitch, the SelfStart website contains information and resources to support people through the stages of starting a business.
jobactive
jobactive employment providers can help you find the right staff, at no cost for your business, who are screened and job-ready.
Back to Work
The Queensland Government offers support payments of up to $20,000 are available for eligible employers who hire eligible unemployed jobseekers.
Department of Home Affairs
Provides information about employing and sponsoring overseas workers.
Intellectual Property Info Kit
The Queensland Government's intellectual property (IP) info kit will help you understand Australia's IP system and explain how to identify, protect and commercialise your business's IP.
IP Australia
Browse the Australian Government's intellectual property resources and downloads portal, with tools, publications, videos and more to help guide you with your IP needs.
Supplying to the City of Gold Coast
Visit the Procurement page on the City of Gold Coast website and learn how to supply to the City, find out about methods of procurement and current tender opportunities, sign up for tender alerts and learn how to submit a tender online using LG tender box.
Tendering for Business Workshops
The Queensland Government's regular Tendering for Business Workshops help you maximise your chances of winning work, including on major projects.
Capability Statement Workshops
Capability statements are a key requirement in the pre-qualification for government projects and tendering opportunities, as well as for private sector major projects and sub-contractor work. You will learn what a business capability statement is and why it is important to have one, how to access the latest information on Queensland's major projects, improve your understanding of the major projects supply chain and develop your draft business capability statement.
Efic
Efic is Australia’s export credit agency and provides Australian exporters with a range of specialist export finance solutions to help them grow internationally.
Trade & Investment Queensland
TIQ provides information and advice to help Queensland companies take advantage of export opportunities in markets around the world, with:
- Consultation and planning services to meet your specific needs
- Targeted international trade missions, exhibitions, inbound missions and in-market support
- Industry events throughout the year, with opportunities to network and learn from specialists
- Information on overseas markets and export opportunities for existing and new exporters
Advance Queensland
Browse programs and funding support for Queensland startups and entrepreneurs.
Innovate Queensland
Innovate Queensland helps small to medium enterprises grow through workshops and webinars on innovation, technology commercialisation, innovation planning and research, and design.
Entrepreneur's Program
The Entrepreneurs' Program is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity. It forms part of the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.
The program offers support to businesses through four elements:
- Accelerating commercialisation
- Business management
- Incubator support
- Innovation Connections
Landing Pads
Provides Australian market-ready start ups the opportunity to access global innovation hubs in San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, Berlin and Singapore and be immersed in an environment that will help them accelerate the design and development of their product or service business model.
City of Gold Coast Open for Business Program
The City's Open for Business Program has been designed to support the city’s potential high-growth businesses. Download the Business Toolkit and gain access to knowledge and mentoring that is needed to innovate and expand.
Office of the Chief Economist
High quality economic analysis across industry, innovation, resources, energy and evaluation.
National Innovation Map
The interactive Innovation Map identifies the location of innovation activities (R&D expenditure, patent and trademark applicant counts) and business creation (new businesses) across Australia over time.
Industry Monitor 2018
The Industry Monitor is an interactive tool that provides a consolidated source of high-level data and economic indicators. Users can interact with the indicators, using the filters available, to best meet their needs.
Australian Industry Report
The annual Australian Industry Report provides an overview and analysis of the major economic factors affecting Australia’s industries.
Australian Innovation System Report
The annual Australian Innovation System Report explores the impact of innovation and related activities on business, industry and national performance. The report also outlines challenges and future opportunities for Australian innovation.
data.gov.au & nationalmap.gov.au
Access openly available non-sensitive public data
Australian Bureau of Statistics
The ABS is Australia’s national statistical agency, providing trusted official statistics on a wide range of economic, social, population and environmental matters of importance to Australia.