Business Boost Grants Program

Future planning

• Strategic business planning for innovation or growth
• Implementing a governance board to guide strategic planning
• Exporting opportunities and requirements
• Compliance with industry regulations and standards

Specialised and automated software

• Design and implementation of management systems, including
  • data warehouses
  • asset management
  • customer relationship management systems
  • quality and compliance management
  • risk management
  • production systems
  • project management systems
• Bespoke or complex website design and build, including e-commerce, software integration, booking systems
• Cybersecurity tools
• Innovative technology that improves or diversifies service offerings

Staff management, development and planning

• Human resource management skills building
• Professional development and training
• Digital workplace plans and systems for a remote workforce

We will not fund:

• activities purchased using cryptocurrencies, barter, or services in-kind
• general business operating costs (e.g. bookkeeping/accounting, tax returns)
• real estate/property, hire, lease, or rental fees
• goods, services, or fees from related parties (include companies with common shareholdings, directors, employees or immediate family)
• travel
• franchise fees
• purchase of stock
• GST, registration, and fees
• maintenance of existing digital technologies
• computer hardware (e.g. computer servers, PCs, tablets/iPad, mobile phones)
• activities purchased via direct selling (e.g. by party plan or network marketing)
• delivery, credit card and transaction fees
• memberships and joining fees
• salaries
• fleet vehicles
• website hosting
• stand-alone marketing, advertising or campaign delivery costs (e.g. Google AdWords, Facebook advertising or similar expenses)

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and registered for GST
• have a Queensland headquarters
• have a turnover of between $300,000 (minimum) and $600,000 (maximum) in the last financial year (2020–21)
• have a publicly reachable web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website and/or social media pages)
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Step 1: Online application

You must complete an online application in the DESBT SmartyGrants portal.

Your application must include the following documents:

• a certified statutory declaration from the business's owner or director stating the business:
  • has a turnover of between $300,000 (minimum) and $600,000 (maximum) per annum
  • meets all grant eligibility criteria

• supplier quotes (no more than 2) detailing description and costs of services, who will undertake the project or activity, and an outline of key services and output.

Step 2: Assessment

Following closure of the round, we run a competitive assessment process.

Step 3: Outcomes

We will advise all applicants of the outcome of their grant application. Successful applicants will receive a letter of approval outlining the funding agreement.

Step 4: Funding agreement

Grant recipients enter into a funding agreement with DESBT.

Step 5: Recipients complete their project

Recipients must complete their project within 12 months of receiving their approval letter.

Step 6: Acquittal report, grant payment and survey

Recipients must complete and submit an acquittal report. Recipients must keep all application evidence, supplier quotes, corresponding invoices and bank transactions for acquittal purposes.

Read the guidelines for a comprehensive overview of each stage of the application process.