QLD Business Basics Grant: How to Secure Your $7,500 Funding in 2024

The QLD Business Basics Grant of $7,500 for Small Businesses is an absolute game-changer for small businesses in Queensland. This grant offers essential financial support to help enhance business operations and capabilities. By providing $7,500 in funding, the grant aims to foster growth and sustainability among small enterprises. Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to secure the $7,500 funding via round 6 the QLD Business Basics Grant, which closes at 5pm on Friday 11 October  2024. We’ll cover the eligibility criteria, application process, and best practices for utilising the funds effectively. If you’re a small business owner in Queensland looking to elevate your business, this article is for you. Learn how you can leverage this grant to build, refresh, or upgrade your Website; to seriously improve your search engine optimisation efforts; or to create and implement a Digital Marketing Strategy, any of which will increase your online visibility and attract more customers.

Understanding the QLD Business Basics Grant

The Business Basics Grant is a lifeline for Queensland small businesses, designed to boost their operational capabilities and enhance growth. This initiative offers $7,500 in funding to help businesses thrive in a competitive market. They won’t fund applications for less than $7,500.

Purpose of the Business Basics Grant

The primary aim of this grant is to support small businesses by providing financial assistance for activities that can elevate their business practices. These activities include professional business advice, strategic marketing services, and website development or upgrades.

Role of DESBT

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) administers the grant. DESBT ensures that the funds are allocated effectively and reach businesses that truly need support. They handle the application process, compliance checks, and distribution of funds. To submit a Registration of Interest for the Grant, you need to have an account in the DESBT SmartyGrants portal.

Target Audience

The target audience for the QLD Business Basics Grant are small businesses that:

• Have fewer than five employees.
• Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN) (you do not need to be registered for GST).
• Have your headquarters in Queensland.
• Have been trading for at least one year.
• Have a turnover of less than $300,000 in the 2023/24 financial year
• Be Insolvent or have an owner or director who is an undischarged bankrupt
• Have not received Business Basics Grant funding in a previous round.

This grant is not just about money but about empowering Queensland’s small business community to achieve sustainable growth.

Eligibility Criteria for Applying for the Grant

Understanding the eligibility criteria is essential before diving into the application process. Here’s a breakdown of who can apply:

• Active Australian Business Number (ABN): Your business must have an active ABN.
• Trading History: Must have been trading for at least one year.
• Headquartered in Queensland: Your business should be based in Queensland.
• Maximum Turnover: Should not exceed $300,000 for the 2023/24 financial year.
• Employee Count: Fewer than five employees.
• No Prior Funding: Must not have been approved for funding under a previous round of the Business Basics program.
• Financial Standing: The business should not be insolvent, nor the owner or director an undischarged bankrupt.

These requirements ensure that the grant targets small businesses with genuine needs and growth potential.

Step-by-Step Application Process for the QLD Business Basics Grant

Stage 1: Registration of Interest (ROI)

The first part of the grant application process is the Registration of Interest (ROI). Here are the key details:

• Dates to Remember: The ROI opened on September 30, 2024, and closes at 5pm on Friday October 11, 2024.
• How to Submit: Businesses must submit their ROI through the official DESBT portal. Make sure to have all required documentation ready.
• Purpose: This stage helps filter eligible businesses and ensures only those meeting basic criteria advance to the next step.

Stage 2: Full Application Process

Once your ROI is accepted, you’ll move on to the full application process:

• Notification: Successful applicants from Stage 1 will be notified via email with further instructions.
• Detailed Proposal: You’ll need to provide a comprehensive plan detailing how you intend to use the $7,500 grant. Highlight activities such as professional business advice, strategic marketing services, or website upgrades.
• Supporting Documents: Include necessary documents like financial statements, proof of ABN, and trading history.
• Submission Deadline: Ensure you submit your complete application by the specified deadline provided in your notification email.

This two-stage approach ensures a fair and meticulous selection process, giving every applicant an equal chance to secure funding for their business needs.

Utilising Your $7,500 Funding Effectively

Making the most out of your $7,500 funding can significantly enhance your business capabilities and operations. Here’s a breakdown of how you can utilize this grant effectively:

Eligible Activities for Funding

The QLD Business Basics Grant covers a range of activities designed to boost your business growth. These include:

• Professional Business Advice: Hiring consultants for strategic planning, financial management, or operational improvements.
• Strategic Marketing Services: Engaging experts for marketing strategies, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media management.
• Website Development or Upgrades: Creating a new website or enhancing existing online presence to improve e-commerce capabilities.

Best Practices for Effective Utilisation

To ensure you get the most out of your funding within the six-month timeframe:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for each funded activity. This could be increasing website traffic by 20% or improving customer engagement through targeted marketing campaigns.
2. Prioritize High-Impact Areas: Focus on activities that offer the greatest return on investment. For instance, if online sales are crucial, prioritizing website enhancements might be more beneficial.
3. Engage Qualified Professionals: Work with experienced consultants and service providers who have a proven track record in delivering results.
4. Track Progress Regularly: Monitor the impact of funded activities against your goals. Use analytics tools to measure website performance, marketing campaign success, etc.
5. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of expenses and outcomes to simplify reporting requirements and future audits.

These practices help ensure that every dollar spent from your grant contributes meaningfully towards your business growth and sustainability.

Non-Eligible Activities and Reporting Responsibilities Under the Grant

When applying for the QLD Business Basics Grant, it’s crucial to understand what cannot be funded. The grant is designed to enhance business operations, but certain expenses are off-limits:

• Direct Selling Activities: Costs associated with direct selling or distribution.
• Equipment Purchases: Buying or leasing equipment is not covered.
• General Operating Costs: Routine operational expenses such as rent, utilities, and wages.
• Services by Related Parties: Payments for services provided by partners or family members.
• Paid Social Media Advertising: Payments to social media platforms.
• GST: If GST is applicable you will have to pay that yourself during the 6 month grant period.

Knowing these restrictions helps tailor your application to focus on eligible activities like professional business advice and strategic marketing services. Once you receive the funding, there are responsibilities you must adhere to:

• Record-Keeping: Maintain detailed records of how the grant money is spent for auditing purposes.
• Impact Reports: Submit a report at the end of your project detailing the outcomes and impact on your business. This ensures transparency and showcases the benefits of the program.

Navigating these requirements not only secures your funding but also sets a strong foundation for future applications.

Next Steps to Secure Your QLD Business Basics Grant Funding in 2024

Seizing the opportunity to reap benefits of the Business Basics program could be a game-changer for your business. The Qld Business Basics Grant of $7,500 for Small Businesses offers an incredible chance to enhance your operations and achieve growth.

• Don’t miss this chance. Applying for this funding is a proactive step towards elevating your business capabilities and could skyrocket your growth.
• Small businesses in Queensland stand to gain significantly from this program, fostering long-term sustainability and success.

There is a detailed form to be completed which also requires evidence of certain things to be uploaded. We have experience helping Businesses successfully apply in the past, so we strong recommend you get in contact with us and get our (free) help to prepare your answers for you, so that you are fully prepared, with all documents you need, when you submit your Registration of Interest. You will NOT have the opportunity to provide any additional information or evidence, so need to be fully prepared. What you submit in your registration of interest is going to be judged against many others, so quality matters and you need to get it right. This is where we can help give you the best chance of success.

Prepare a Successful Application

The quality of the quote you submit with your application does matter. We will do all this to help your small business:

• assess your business and audit any existing website urgently,
• help you determine your priorities,
• suggest how the Business Basics Grant Qld might best be used in your small business;
• Give you a highly relevant quote that will help you qualify for the grant and put you in the best position to be one of those chosen to receive it.

Contact us to Check Eligibility or for more Information

Email, Message or Phone Michelle Beatty at MRB Creative ASAP for help with your Registration of Interest and / or Full Application. We do not charge for this at all. You can also find out more, as well as check your eligibility, by filling out the enquiry form below, phone or text our Creative Director, Michelle Beatty on 0490 974 202 or jump into Michelle Rose Beatty’s DM’s if you prefer.

We have an automated process to urgently generate the documents you needed to make it simple for you.

Scan the QR Code to get more info / start the process:

Check Eligibility in our Client Portal

You can start the process in our Client Portal to double check your eligibility and then proceed further.