Business Basics Grants Program

We will not fund:

• activities bought via direct selling (e.g. by party plan or network marketing)
• delivery, credit card and transaction fees
• equipment of any kind including computer hardware/gadgets (e.g. computer servers, PCs, tablets/iPads, mobile phones, headphones) and other equipment (e.g. televisions, point of sales systems, EFTPOS, card/chip readers)
• franchise fees
• general business operating costs (e.g. bookkeeping/accounting, tax returns)
• goods, services, or fees from related parties (see related party definition)*
• goods and services paid using crypto-currencies, cash, barter, or services in-kind
• GST, registration, and fees
• implementation of marketing tactics such as advertising, direct marketing or campaign delivery (e.g. Google AdWords, Facebook advertising or similar expenses)
• memberships and joining fees
• purchase of stock
• real estate/property, hire, lease, or rental fees
• salaries and wages
• software and licences¹
• travel and accommodation
• utilities (e.g. internet, phone, water and/or waste bills)
• vehicles of any kind
• website hosting
• website maintenance generally considered 'business as usual'.

* Related parties include companies with common shareholdings or directors, employees, or immediate family.
¹ not mentioned in the priority areas.

In your ROI application, you are asked to:

• confirm the business meets the eligibility criteria of the grant program
• provide core business and contact information
• provide Responsible Person demographic information.

Valid ROIs may be assessed through a ballot system with a number of applications identified to move to Stage 2: Full application assessment.

Businesses that are not selected for Stage 2 will be notified. For Stage 1 outcomes, all DESBT's decisions are final and are not subject to review.

If your Stage 1 ROI application is selected, you will be invited to submit a full application. In addition to the information provided in your ROI, you will also be asked to provide the following in the full application:

• update your core business and contact information (if required)
• provide business demographic information and business description
• provide proposed project details – priority area and how it will enhance core skills/business competitiveness
• provide proposed project expected outcomes – growth in revenue, gross profit and headcount and how your project would help you to achieve those outcomes
• provide a completed 100-points of identification check form for the nominated Responsible Person
• provide independent Australian supplier (mandatory) quote(s) (no more than 2)
• verify the main business location (if applicable) – if your ABR profile shows that your main business location is not in Queensland you will need to provide evidence of Queensland headquarters
• verify the link between the trust and the business conducting the business activity (if applicable) – if you nominate an ABN of a trust in your application, you will need to provide evidence of the link between the trust entity and the business conducting the business activity entity
• verify the link between the Responsible Person and business (if applicable) – if you nominate a Responsible Person in your application, you will need to provide evidence of the link.

Stage 2: Full applications are assessed for compliance against the eligibility criteria and their competitiveness against the program guidelines and assessment criteria.

You must demonstrate the extent to which the grant funded activity will:

• enhance the business's core skills, adopt best practice and survivability
• positively impact revenue growth and gross profit
• be likely to create jobs growth within the business
• demonstrate value for money.

We may also distribute successful applications equitably across the state, other economic factors such as priority industries, and ensure a representation of Queensland's diverse business population.

We will advise all applicants of the outcomes after the ballot process and Stage 2: Full Application assessment.

Due to the grant program's comprehensive assessment, due diligence, and government approval process, you can typically expect to receive notification of your submission's outcome within a reasonable timeframe following the key application dates outlined on page 1 of the guidelines.

We will communicate all outcomes via email. Successful Stage 2 applicants will receive a Funding Agreement Letter detailing the proposed funded agreement and inviting you to accept the funding terms.

If you accept the funding terms and enter into a funding agreement with us, you will receive funding of $7,500 (excluding GST) into your nominated bank account via electronic funds transfer.

You must complete your grant-funded activity within 6 months of receiving the Funding Agreement Letter.

You must keep all application evidence, supplier quotes, corresponding invoices, receipts and bank transactions for audit purposes.

Note: If you vary your approved project in any way,  you must inform us immediately. Read more about making changes to your approved grant.

You must complete:

1. An outcomes survey report on completion of the project – the report is to include details on the assets/services received, project implementation, and the impact on the business including the results and outcomes received.
2. An audit report (if selected) – we will conduct an audit process and you must keep all application evidence, supplier quote(s), corresponding invoices and bank transactions, and submit them on request from us for audit purposes.

Read these key documents and information:

• application guidelines
• terms and conditions
• frequently asked questions
• preview of application form
• statutory declaration sample.

Read these key documents and information:

• application guidelines
• terms and conditions
• frequently asked questions
• application form sample
• statutory declaration template.

Read these key documents and information:

• application guidelines (updated 13 May 2022)
• terms and conditions
• frequently asked questions
• application form sample
• statutory declaration template.

Read these key documents and information:

• application guidelines
• terms and conditions
• frequently asked questions
• registration of interest (ROI) form sample.

Read these key documents and information:

• application guidelines
• terms and conditions
• frequently asked questions
• registration of interest (ROI) form sample
• finding suppliers.