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.

woman working on laptop in office

Queensland Government grants

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants for lockdown-impacted businesses in Queensland

Your business may be eligible for financial support through the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants. $5,000 grants will be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland affected by the COVID-19 lockdown that commenced on Saturday 31 July 2021 and lockdowns in other states.

The Queensland Government recognises the short interval between lockdowns in South East Queensland, and the unique circumstances faced by regional economies who are impacted by multiple border closures. These $5,000 grants will provide cash flow support for businesses to help them adapt to evolving circumstances.

You may be eligible to receive a grant of $5,000 (excluding GST). This grant may be used for business expenses.

The grant provides support to employing small and medium businesses across Queensland impacted by the South East Queensland lockdown that commenced on 31 July 2021. Your business doesn’t have to be located in South East Queensland, but you must have experienced at least a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the lockdown.

Find out more.

Australian Government grants

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.

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.

Financial support for organisations

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.

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.

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.

Financial support for clients

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.

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.