COVID-19
COVID-19 grants and funding
This page is regularly updated with COVID-19 specific grants as they become available.
For information about other grants visit the QCOSS grants page.
New grants:
Queensland Government grants
Queensland Government small business adaption grant – Round two opened 1 July 2020
Regional Queensland applications for the Small Business Adaption grant are still open.
Queensland small businesses can apply for a Small Business Adaption grant of $2,000 up to $10,000 under a second $100 million package to help them counter the impact of COVID-19. The new grants program has been developed to assist those small businesses forced into hibernation, to restructure or to significantly change their business operations or move online.
The grants can be used to help pay for financial, legal or other professional advice, marketing and communications activities, digital or technology strategy development, or to buy specialised digital equipment or business-specific software to help move the business online.
Round one received an overwhelming response and was closed early, and round two may only be open for a short period due to demand, so applicants are encouraged to apply early.
South East Queensland applications are now closed. Regional Queensland applications are still open.
Australian Government grants
Local Recovery Fund
The Local Jobs Program brings together expertise, resources and access to funding in 25 regions throughout Australia, to focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways. The program is part of supporting Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Local Recovery Fund is available for proposals that meet the priorities of the Cairns, Wide Bay/Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Wivenhoe or Gold Coast regions’ Local Jobs Plans. Proposed activities should be designed to address employment and training priorities and identify opportunities to better skill participants to meet local employer demand.
Grants of $10,000 to $200,000 are available.
Release 2 will open for proposals in early 2021. Dates and details on the application process will be available shortly.
Social Ventures Australia guide to key government opportunities for charities and not-for-profits
Social Ventures Australia has prepared a short guide to the key opportunities for charities and not-for-profits available as a result of Australian Government announcements at 22 April 2020. The guide will be updated as frequently as required to ensure it remains useful as governments continue to announce new measures.
Support for aged care workers in COVID-19
The Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) Grant Opportunity is designed to assist approved Residential Aged Care providers, approved National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFACP) providers and approved Home Care providers to minimise the risk of infection to aged care workers, residents and other consumers of aged care service.
Applications close 31 May 2021
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) – Emergency support for COVID-19
The objective of this grant is to provide assistance through limited financial support to existing CHSP service providers to enable them to respond to unforeseen and exceptional circumstances that directly impact on existing service delivery arrangements that are beyond the control of the grant recipient. The funding will enable CHSP service providers to continue to provide quality aged care services.
This grant closes on 30 June 2021.
For more information and eligibility criteria, visit the Australian Government website.
Local government grants
Check with your local council what funding might be available in your region.
For links to some of the council grants pages visit the QCOSS ongoing grants page.
City of Ipswich small business funding program
The Ipswich City Council Small Busines Funding Program has been extended to continue financial support for Ipswich-based small businesses through and post the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding up to $1,000 is available for eligible applicants.
Closing date 30 June 2021.
Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 direct assistance program
The Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 Direct Assistance Program will help not-for-profit lessees cover the costs of operating expenses incurred during their forced closure. It will also help support leaseholders who have been unable to do maintenance works on their buildings due to lack of revenue as a result of the pandemic.
Eligible organisations can apply for funding of up to $10,000 towards operating expenses incurred between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020, and future minor maintenance works at Council community leased facilities.
Applications will close when funding is expended.
Logan City Council community response grants
COVID-19 Community Response Grants have been created as a quick response grant for local organisations to:
- Address community priorities emerging as a result of COVID-19
- Provide new services to support those affected by COVID-19
- Help manage an increased demand resulting from COVID-19
- Create opportunities for community cohesion and connection and/or
- Support services to meet new approaches for service delivery
Funding up to $5,000 is available.
Applications close June 2021.
Western Downs Regional Council COVID-19 recovery package
Western Downs Regional Council has unveiled a major recovery package valued at $50 million to secure and create jobs, energize the economy and support the region through the COVID-19 health crisis.
The Business Support Initiatives program contains three key parts to support our local businesses and encourage local buy across the Western Downs – Business Recovery Planning, Enabling E-Commerce and a Buy Local Campaign.
The Community Hardship and Assistance Grants Program includes $300,000 in funding to provide quick response financial assistance to eligible community organisations that are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Eligible groups will be able to apply for financial grants of up to $10,000. Applications are open until June 2021.
Other grants
COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund
Australian Progress, together with Australian Communities Foundation and Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has launched the COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund, a donor pool that can rapidly inject funds into strategic advocacy campaigns demanding ambitious policies in response to the pandemic in Australia.
Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 are currently being considered.
For more information, visit the Social Impact Hub website.
Australian Communities Foundation
As part of their role to be a broker of change, the Australian Communities Foundation is showcasing granting opportunities so our community of givers can be inspired to support initiatives that are aligned with their interests. Applicants must have both TCC (Tax Concession Charity) and DGR Item 1 (Deductible Gift Recipient) endorsements.
The average grant awarded is between $2,000 and $15,000.
For more information, visit the Australian Communities Foundation website.
BHP Vital Resources Fund
BHP has established a $50 million Vital Resources Fund to help support regional Australian communities in its areas of operation, which are facing the significant challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. BHP will work with relevant leaders and groups to distribute funding according to local needs and in a manner aligned with government programs and initiatives.
Anticipated areas of support include local and regional health networks, essential community services and community mental health and resilience.
Find out more about the BHP Vital Resources Fund.
BMD COVID-19 Recovery Community Assistance Program
The BMD COVID-19 Recovery Community Assistance Program aims to deliver financial assistance to support organisations by providing one-off sponsorships or grants up to a value of $5,000, as well as in kind-support that deliver benefits within the communities in which BMD operates.
To receive funding through BMD’s COVID-19 Recovery Community Assistance Program, applicants must:
- provide services or manage sustainable community initiatives that contribute to the wellbeing and development of the communities in which BMD operates
- be a community organisation or not for profit group
- address the criteria listed in the application form.
To be eligible, organisations must either be able to provide BMD with a tax invoice (registered for GST) or a Deductible Gift Recipient.
Applications close 5:00pm on Friday 27 November.
RACQ Foundation COVID-19 grant
Initially set up to support community groups impacted by natural disasters, the RACQ Foundation is now extending funding to support those impacted by COVID-19.
Applications for 2020 have closed. 2021 dates will be released on 21 December 2020.
Find out more about the RACQ Foundation COVID-19 grant.
More grants
For more information on what grants are available to the community sector visit the QCOSS Grants page.
Financial support for organisations
Coronavirus (COVID-19) business assistance finder
The Queensland Government’s business assistance finder tool can help you discover what support is available from the Queensland and Australian governments, plus Queensland local councils.
JobKeeper payment
The Australian government announced a $130 billion JobKeeper payment to help keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the significant economic impact caused by the Coronavirus. If your organisation has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you may be able to access a wages subsidy to continue paying your employees.
JobKeeper payment was originally due to run until 27 September 2020. In July it was announced that it was extended to March 2021.
The payment rate will be reduced to $1,200 per fortnight from 28 September 2020 and to $1,000 per fortnight from 4 January 2021.
From 28 September 2020, lower rates will apply for employees and business participants that worked fewer than 20 hours per week.
For more information read the Extension of JobKeeper payment fact sheet and visit the Australian Treasury website.
Supporting apprentices and trainees
Supporting Apprentices and Trainees provides a wage subsidy to small businesses (including those using a Group Training Organisation) to support the retention of their existing apprentices and trainees.
JobMaker hiring credit
The JobMaker Hiring Credit is a new incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers. Eligible employers will have access to a JobMaker Hiring Credit for each new job they create over the 12 months from 7 October 2020, for which they hire an eligible employee, for a maximum claim period of 12 months. Find out more.
Boosting cash flow for employers
The Australian Government is providing up to $100,000 to eligible businesses and not-for-profits (NFPs) that employ people to assist with cash flow. NFPs including charities with aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers are eligible.
Employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld, with a minimum payment of $10,000 and maximum of $50,000. An additional payment is also being introduced in the July to October 2020 period.
The boosting cash flow payments are automatically calculated by the Australian Taxation Office and will be applied to activity statement lodgments. There are no new forms required.
Queensland Government economic relief package
The Queensland Government’s economic relief package includes:
- Rebates on electricity bills – $200 for all Queensland households and $500 for all Queensland small and medium businesses that consume less than 100,000 kilowatt hours. These rebates will be automatically applied to electricity bills.
- Payroll tax relief for businesses in the form of a refund of two months’ worth of payroll tax for COVID-19 affected businesses and a payroll tax holiday for eligible businesses.
- A worker and industry support package to assist workers who lose their job or income with retraining, job-matching and other help to transition into jobs in the industries that are vital to get Queensland through this crisis.
- Relief for businesses renting government premises.
- Jobs Supports loans.
Find out more about the Queensland Government’s economic relief package.
Visit the Business Queensland business assistance finder to discover what support is available from the Queensland and Australian governments, plus Queensland local councils.
Small business hotline
The Queensland Government’s small business hotline is providing support to help small businesses and not-for-profits including case management and referrals to financial mentoring and business planning.
Call 1300 654 687 for more information or take the business impact survey to be linked with relevant support.
Financial support for clients
Income support for individuals
The Australian Government has temporarily expanded eligibility for income support payments and implemented a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight until 24 September 2020. Under the new temporary arrangements, some eligibility criteria have been relaxed and some waiting periods have been removed.
From 25 September the Coronavirus Supplement will be reduced to $250 per fortnight until 31 December 2020 and some eligibility criteria will be changed including the reintroduction of means testing.
The Government has announced that the supplement will be extended until 31 March 2021. From 1 January 2021 the Coronavirus Supplement will be reduced to $150 per fortnight. Read more.
If you already receive JobSeeker (Newstart) or another payment, you do not need to contact Centrelink to get the extra support announced. The extra payment will come through automatically.
If you do not already receive income support you will need to create a MyGov account and register for a Centrelink payment.
Find out more about the changes to the Coronavirus Supplement, or for general information about the JobSeeker Coronavirus Supplement visit the Services Australia website or call 136 240.
Support for workers affected by Coronavirus
Find more information about financial assistance and jobseeker support if you’ve been stood down, had your hours reduced, or closed your business due to coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Queensland Government website.
Pandemic leave disaster payment
Queenslanders who can’t earn an income because they must self-isolate or quarantine, or are caring for someone with COVID-19, can now access support with a $1,500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. Find out more here.
Hardship payment for Queensland workers during COVID-19
Queensland Government support is available for Queensland workers who test positive for COVID-19 and have no access to paid sick leave. The payment will provide affected workers with a one-off $1,500 payment to cover their unpaid sick leave.
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training will work closely with Queensland Health to ensure when these Queenslanders are tested positive for COVID-19 that they are referred to the Department for this assistance.
$900,000 COVID-19 package to support vulnerable communities
The Queensland Government has extended COVID-19 support for vulnerable multicultural communities with a dedicated $900,000 connections package for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Household relief loans without interest
Good Shepherd, in collaboration with the Australian Government, are providing no interest loans up to $3,000 towards rent and utilities for eligible people who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Find out more about household relief loans without interest.
Tips on finding grants and applying for funding
For more useful links on where to find grants and funding opportunities visit:
Queensland Government
Queensland Government grants finder
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training small business grants
Queensland Government tender opportunities – QTenders
Australian Government
Australian Government GrantConnect
Useful resources on applying for grants
Community Door grants and funding sources