In this newsletter:
- BusinessBalance
- Artificial Intelligence is coming to the region
- Grants and Funding Opportunities
- Our Partners
- Our Sponsors
- Upcoming Events
BusinessBalance
Supporting Small Business Mental Health and wellbeing
Small Businesses are significant contributors to the Australian Economy – yet they suffer more from
symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general population and are under increased financial
and emotional pressure as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic. To address this, the Australian
Government’s BusinessBalance initiative is providing $7 Million in 2020-21 to support small
businesses. This Includes:
- $4.3 million to provide free, accessible and tailored support for small business owners by expanding Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program in partnership with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and
- $2.2 Million to expand a free accredited professional development program that builds the mental health literacy of trusted business advisers so that they can better support small business owners in times of distress, delivered through Deakin University BusinessBalance will help small business owners take proactive steps to improve their mental health.
NewAccess For Small Business Owners
The Australian Government is providing funding to expand Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program to
deliver tailored, free and confidential mental health support to small business owners.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is designed to support small business owners manage life
stress by providing up to six structured sessions with a trained mental health coach who has a
background in small business. No doctor’s referral or mental health treatment plan is required. The
program is available nationally and can be accessed via phone or video call.
Counting On U
The Australian Government is providing funding to Deakin University to deliver Counting on U – a professional development program for small business advisers. Counting on U is run in partnership with Institute of Public Accountants, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Beyond Blue, WorkSafe VIC, and Mental Health First Aid integrates mental health first aid training with relationship – centred, business mentoring that will empower small business advisers to better support the mental wellbeing of their small business clients.
Artificial Intelligence – AI Hub touring the region
DATE CLAIMER: 7-9 JUNE
Regional Business HQ and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government
and Planning are working together to bring the AI Hub to the Wide Bay Burnett. We are looking at
hosting events in the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg from 7 to 9 June.
If learning more about Artificial Intelligency is something that interests you, and you would like to be
kept in the loop as we firm up details, please contact either info@businesshq.org.au or Garry
Cooper from DSDILGP on garry.cooper@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Grants and funding can play a key role in helping businesses grow, start-up or target new service
offerings. Each month, we bring you a snippet of some of the grants available that you might find of
interest. If you are thinking of applying for a grant and don’t know where to start, contact 6
the team at Regional Business HQ, who are happy to help.
Small business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program
Between $2,000 and $10,000 is available for small or micro businesses to:
- Prepare for safe resumption of trading in the post COVID-19 recovery
- Introduce digital technologies to improve business operations, transition into a new way of doing business or to up-skill and re-skill business owners alongside staff to ultimately benefit the business
- Create and sustain employment to maintain potential long-term growth and continue to meet operating costs
Applicants have a maximum of 6 months from the date of approval to complete the project
For more information, visit: Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program
Back to Work Initiative – Employee Support Payment
The Back to Work program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders
who have experienced a period of unemployment. Support payments are available to eligible
employers who hire a previously unemployed Queenslander who has experienced a minimum
period of unemployment directly prior to commencing work with them.
The program is available throughout regional Queensland and in some areas of South East
Queensland (SEQ).
Employers can make an online application through QGrants after the eligible employee completes
four weeks of continuous paid employment. Initial applications must be received within eight weeks
of the employee completing four weeks of continuous employment.
For more information, visit: Back to Work Initiative – Employer Support Payment
New Small Business Grants coming soon…
The Queensland Government has announced three new small business grants programs worth
$25 million over two years.
The Business Basics, Business Boost and Business Growth Fund grants will target specific groups
within the sector and continue to deliver on the Government’s election commitments to small
business. The grants are being rolled out based on direct feedback received from small business
owners through the Small Business Roadshow and online survey which showed support programs
are needed to assist Queensland businesses at different stages of the business lifecycle.
Grant programs are being delivered over the coming months to provide businesses with time to
prepare prior to application periods. The upcoming grant schedule is now available on the Business Queensland website.
Small business operators should visit the Business Queensland website to access the grants
schedule as well as guidelines and eligibility information for the Business Growth Fund to get ready
to apply.
Business Growth Fund Program
The program provides funding for small and medium-sized businesses experiencing high-growth to
buy specialised equipment to unlock growth potential, increase production, expand your workforce
and maximise economic returns.
Funded businesses are expected to:
- increase confidence for growth, transitioning from small to medium-sized
- increase productivity, turnover, profit and employment by 20%
- improve confidence to automate, scale up, increase market share, diversify and/or exploit
exporting opportunities.
Funding is awarded through a competitive assessment process with 3 stages, including a mentoring
session, application and shortlisting process. An invitation will be forwarded to shortlisted
applications for a pitching session involving business experts and department executives.
Registrations for this program begin Tuesday 11 May 2021.
For more information, visit: Business Growth Fund Program
Business Basics
Business Basics grants of up to $5,000 each support new and emerging businesses to increase core
capabilities and adopt current best practice.
Applications are due to open on 31 May 2021.
For updates on this grant: Business Queensland – Grants Schedule
Business Boost
Business Boost grants of up to $15,000 will help small businesses to improve their efficiency and
productivity through organisational development and upgrades through automated software and
CRM systems. Grants can be used for website development and upgrades, strategic marketing,
training and coaching, advisory services and planning for business continuity and succession.
Applications are expected to open late July 2021.
For updates on this grant: Business Queensland – Grants Schedule
Incentives for Employers – Australian Apprenticeships
As an employer of an Australian Apprentice you may be eligible for financial assistance from the
Australian Government to help with hiring and training an apprentice.
For more information on Employer Incentives, visit: Australian Apprenticeship Employer Incentives
Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian
Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per
cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the
date of commencement, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. There is no cap on the number of
eligible trainees/ apprentices.
For more information, visit: Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an eligible apprentice or trainee ’s
wages paid until 31 March 2021. In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium sized businesses may be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.
For more information, visit: Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment
Eligible employers of Australian Apprentices will also receive $2,000 at the 12 month point from the
commencement of the apprenticeship and an additional $2,000 at completion of the
apprenticeship.
For more information, visit: Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment
Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
An employer of an adult Australian Apprentice may be eligible to attract the SAAA payment where
the Australian Apprentice is:
- undertaking a full-time or part-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List at the date of commencement or recommencement; and
- in receipt of an ‘actual wage’ paid by the employer at the date of commencement or recommencement which is equal to or greater than the National Minimum Wage
For more information, visit: Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) is an incentive payable to an employer who
employs an Australian Apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria. DAAWS is also
available to employers who employ Australian Apprentices who become disabled during their
apprenticeship.
For more information, visit: Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability
Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy
The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial aims to support apprenticeships in skills need
occupations in rural and regional areas and encourage participation in apprenticeships by employers
who have not previously engaged apprentices, as well as re-engaging employers who may have
disengaged from the system. Employers who employ a new worker Australian Apprentice undertaking a full-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the
National Skills Needs List in a rural and regional workplace.
For more information, visit: Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy
Our Partners
Sometimes you come across a hidden gem, and you just can’t stop shouting their praises…
At Regional Business HQ, we are always on the look out for products and services that really help
small businesses cut through red tape and remove administrative burden to free up valuable time
for people already stretched thin.
Two of the products we are happy to partner with are the Australian Employee Manual and
Driversnote. The Australian Employee Manual provides you with a ready to go product that is up to
date with all current legislation. Driversnote is an app that makes FBT reporting a breeze! It is simple
and easy to use and is available on desktops as well as Android and Apple phones.
Australian Employee Manual believes in making managing your team easy. When you are in a small
business or a not for profit, you may not have a human resources professional on your team or cant
afford to hire a consultant. That’s where Australian Employee Manual can help. Since 2007
Australian Employee Manual has easy to apply employee templates, processes and forms that have
been helping small business owners get back to growing their business or delivering a service, rather
than spending weeks bogged down writing policies.
Employee Performance Reviews can be one of the best tools to boost performance, improve morale
and increase productivity …if they are done well. But too often people just fill in the forms and
wonder why they didn’t get the results they were looking for. Or, they are suddenly faced by an
employee in tears, or who gets angry during their performance appraisal. Or, they have to deal with
a poor performer.
These everyday events can trip up the most experienced managers –and derail your whole
employee review process unless you know what to do. Australian Employee Manual, Employee
Performance Reviews: Tips Templates & Tactics22 can help you create a positive employee
performance review that create effective and lasting performance improvements.
Driversnote‘s logbook app is always at hand to record your trips and calculate your reimbursement.
Save addresses you visit frequently, add notes and set each trips purpose for a complete mileage log.
Driversnote will keep your car logbook ready for download as a PDF or spreadsheet in line with ATO
requirements. The best bit is that it is free for 20 trips per month! If, like us, after trying out the free
version you think that the app is worth it to save the headache of manually counting logbook trips,
head over to our affiliate page and purchase your subscription.
Driversnote also has an ATO Mileage guide, where you’ll find a collection of articles that will help
you navigate the rules of reimbursing employees for their car expenses or deducting expenses as an
employee or self-employed individual. Knowing the rules and requirements for mileage logs, and the
like, is important, as it could mean the difference between being reimbursed or not.
Our Sponsors
NBN Classification – Commercial
Bundaberg, Maryborough and Gympie are three of the 85 regional Business fibre Zones designed to
level the playing field by improving the availability of fibre builds and flattening traditional pricing
structures that typically favoured capital cities.
The Business Fibre initiative is all about helping unlock potential growth and productivity associated
with technology investment and adoption, including job creation. As a key part of the initiative,
we’re offering Enterprise Ethernet to service providers with no up front build costs for an estimated
90% of business locations within the nbn network footprint.
This is part of nbn’s ongoing commitment to helping local businesses access the solutions they need
for resilience and growth through access to fast and reliable connectivity at a time when online
presence, digital collaboration platforms and cloud-based tools are becoming more significant for
businesses.
Enterprise Ethernet is nbn’s premium wholesale business product, built upon a robust fibre network
that designed to help businesses of any size, now and into the future.
For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au or contact Deborah Mead m: 0439 398 334
Bundaberg Fibre Zone Map| Maryborough Fibre Zone Map| Gympie Fibre Zone Map
Upcoming Events
NBNco Bus touring the North and South Burnett with Business LEAP
The NBN Bus is on tour through North and South Burnett in the months of May and June! The
Business LEAP Team will be in attendance at multiple locations during the roadshow – bookings can
be made to have a one on one sessions with Business LEAP Entrepreneurship Facilitators Vicki
Leeson and Jason Virtue.
Dates to look out for:
- Monday, 31 May | 1:00 pm -3:00 pm | Kingaroy
- Tuesday, 1 June |10:00 am -12:30 pm | Murgon
- Tuesday, 1 June | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Goomeri
- Wednesday, 2 June | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Kilkivan
- Wednesday, 2 June | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Biggenden
- Thursday, 3 June | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Gayndah
- Thursday, 3 June | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Mundubbera
- Friday, 4 June | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Monto
Contact us today to ensure you get your preferred time early – bookings are limited.
Small Business Month Breakfast –Gympie
Tuesday, 11 May 2021 | 7:30 am – 9:30 am | Gympie RSL Club – 217 Mary Street, Gympie, 4570
Join fellow business people at this inspiring event held in the Gympie Region as part of Queensland
Small Business Month!
Learn about information, assistance and funding available to help your business grow and develop.
Take part in some morning business ‘exercise’ with a Business Fitness Checkup and hear from some
remarkable local business people as they share insights and stories about their business journey. You
will be informed and inspired and leave with a blueprint to help make sure your business is fighting
fit and ready to grow.
Presenting organisations include:
Business LEAP, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Rural Financial Counselling
Services SQ and successful local business, CC’s Kitchen
Registrations for this event are full!
Bounce Back Better Series – Kickstart your Business! – Goomeri
Wednesday, 12 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 1:00 pm | Goomeri Hall of Memory, 17 Boonara St, Goomeri
Join fellow business people at this inspiring event held as part of Queensland Small Business Month!
Learn about information, assistance and funding available to help your business grow and develop.
Develop some winning strategies for your social media pages and leave with a blueprint to help
make sure your business is fighting fit and ready to grow.
Presenting organisations include:
Business LEAP, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, NBNco, Rural Financial
Counselling Services SQ and Tenacious Digital
Day 1 – Thursday, 13 May 2021 | 7:35 am – 4:30 pm | Gayndah Town Hall, 32-34 Capper Street,
Gayndah, 4625
Dinner – Thursday, 13 May 2021 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | The Golden Orange, 3-5 Maltby Pl, Gayndah,
4625
Day 2 – Friday 14 May 2021 | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm | Gayndah Town Hall, 32-34 Capper Street,
Gayndah, 4625
Growing Ags 2021 brings together young producers for two days of learning, connecting and growing
our local agriculture industries.
Across two days, you will hear from guest speakers on a range of topics, from soil health to water
quality, succession planning to land management, latest technology trends and so much more…
Catch up with old friends and make plenty of new ones at the Growing Ags 2021 dinner on Thursday
evening from 6:00 pm. The Golden Orange will host a two course dinner, complete with l ight
entertainment for your enjoyment.
Single Day Ticket – 13 May | Dinner Ticket (ONLY) – 13 May | Single Day Ticket – 14 May | Two
Day Ticket – 13 & 14 May | Full Event Package – 13 – 14 May (includes Dinner ticket)
Pain-Free Networking
Wednesday, 19 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 11:00 am | Regional Business HQ – Stewart Room, 20B Quay
Street, Bundaberg, 4670
Many people feel anxious about attending networking events and talking to strangers, let alone
taking the next step and talking to them about their business.
In this workshop, you will learn:
- Tips to give you more confidence in networking situations
- How to effectively communicate what problems your business solves
The workshop will include an opportunity to discuss your networking ‘pain points’ along with some
interactive exercises.
Presented by David Wise fromWise Words Communications
Investment-readiness workshop – Bundaberg
Thursday, 20 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm | Rowers on the River, 2 Toonburra Street, Bundaberg,
4670
Trade and Investment (TIQ) is partnering with Deloitte Australia to deliver a series of workshops
around Queensland to help small and medium-sized businesses attract new investment.
The Investment-readiness 2021 series will focus on the practical tools that businesses need to
successfully engage investors. In this workshop, you’ll learn about what investors are looking for and
which areas you should focus on in your business to maximise value, and get expert support to
develop a winning investment proposal.
More information on this workshop series44
Bounce Back Better Series – Kickstart your Business! – Rainbow Beach
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 1:00 pm | Rainbow Beach Community Centre, 32 Rainbow
Beach Road, Rainbow Beach, 4581
Join fellow business people at this inspiring event held as part of Queensland Small Business Month!
Learn about information, assistance and funding available to help your business grow and develop.
Develop some winning strategies for your social media pages and leave with a blueprint to help
make sure your business is fighting fit and ready to grow.
Presenting organisations include:
Business LEAP, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, NBNco, Rural Financial
Counselling Services SQ and Tenacious Digital
Growing Regional Leaders – 3 day Workshop
Monday, 31 May 2021 – Wednesday 2 June 2021 | Regional Business HQ, Neville Room – 20B Quay
Street, Bundaberg, 4670
Growing Regional Leaders (GRL) is a 3-day leadership program designed specifically with regional
Australia’s potential leaders in mind. The Program is highly participative, interactive, challenging and
practical learning experiences are implemented. We aim for participants to have fun while learning.
In addition, there will be one individual and group session on Zoom to see how everyone is tracking
on their leadership journey. Attendance over all three days is vital to ensure you get the most from
the full experience and so that you fully contribute to the learning environment.
Outcomes:
- Greater confidence and courage for informed decision making, balancing the role of a leader,
and stepping into leading roles in the future.
- Improved knowledge of self and others
- Improved ability to work effectively with others
- Improved ability to influence positive change in self, family, community, business and
industry
AgriFood Capability Statement Workshop
Wednesday, 2 June 2021 | 10:30 am – 02:30 pm | Rowers on the River, 2 Toonburra Street,
Bundaberg, 4670
This workshop will provide the top tips to help your business develop and prepare an effective
capability statement.
By attending you will learn:
- why a capability statement is important
- how to use your capability statement to market your product or service
- how to use your capability statement to accompany contract tender submissions
- best-practice fundamentals for developing and drafting a powerful capability statement
- key aspects in customising your capability statement to attract investment and expand your
export market development
Taking Care of Business Workshop: Preparing your business for sale
Tuesday, 8 June 2021 | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | 26 Lyons St, Mundubbera, 4626
In this final workshop in the series, ‘Preparing your business for sale’ you’ll learn valuable insights
such as what you need to present your business for sale, what to look for in an sales agent and some
of the costs that can be incurred when selling your business.
You’ll receive your own workbook, plus a one-on-one session with Vicki after each workshop. By
participating in this and future Taking Care of Business workshops and webinars, you’ll join other
locals on a similar learning journey and have access and support from peers and mentor Vicki.
More business events with BIEDO
Reef Regulations – Information Session
Online Information Session – Tuesday, 18 May 2021 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Online Information Session – Monday, 24 May 2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Information Session – Thursday, 27 May 2021 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Monto
Information Session – Tuesday, 1 June 2021 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Bundaberg
Information Session – Wednesday, 2 June 2021 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Kingaroy
Online Information Session – Monday, 24 May 2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Primary producers are being encouraged to find out how they can make their farms more
sustainable in line with new cropping and horticulture requirements, which take effect next month.
Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said the Department of
Environment and Science would host a series of online and in-person sessions to assist farmers learn
about the new requirements for expanding cropping and horticulture that commence from June 1.
For more information on the updates to regulations or to register to attend an information session,
visit: Reef Regulations
In this newsletter:
- BusinessBalance
- Artificial Intelligence is coming to the region
- Grants and Funding Opportunities
- Our Partners
- Our Sponsors
- Upcoming Events
BusinessBalance
Supporting Small Business Mental Health and wellbeing
Small Businesses are significant contributors to the Australian Economy – yet they suffer more from
symptoms of depression and anxiety than the general population and are under increased financial
and emotional pressure as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic. To address this, the Australian
Government’s BusinessBalance initiative is providing $7 Million in 2020-21 to support small
businesses. This Includes:
- $4.3 million to provide free, accessible and tailored support for small business owners by expanding Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program in partnership with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, and
- $2.2 Million to expand a free accredited professional development program that builds the mental health literacy of trusted business advisers so that they can better support small business owners in times of distress, delivered through Deakin University BusinessBalance will help small business owners take proactive steps to improve their mental health.
NewAccess For Small Business Owners
The Australian Government is providing funding to expand Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program to
deliver tailored, free and confidential mental health support to small business owners.
NewAccess for Small Business Owners is designed to support small business owners manage life
stress by providing up to six structured sessions with a trained mental health coach who has a
background in small business. No doctor’s referral or mental health treatment plan is required. The
program is available nationally and can be accessed via phone or video call.
Counting On U
The Australian Government is providing funding to Deakin University to deliver Counting on U – a professional development program for small business advisers. Counting on U is run in partnership with Institute of Public Accountants, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Beyond Blue, WorkSafe VIC, and Mental Health First Aid integrates mental health first aid training with relationship – centred, business mentoring that will empower small business advisers to better support the mental wellbeing of their small business clients.
Artificial Intelligence – AI Hub touring the region
DATE CLAIMER: 7-9 JUNE
Regional Business HQ and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government
and Planning are working together to bring the AI Hub to the Wide Bay Burnett. We are looking at
hosting events in the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg from 7 to 9 June.
If learning more about Artificial Intelligency is something that interests you, and you would like to be
kept in the loop as we firm up details, please contact either info@businesshq.org.au or Garry
Cooper from DSDILGP on garry.cooper@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au
Grants and Funding Opportunities
Grants and funding can play a key role in helping businesses grow, start-up or target new service
offerings. Each month, we bring you a snippet of some of the grants available that you might find of
interest. If you are thinking of applying for a grant and don’t know where to start, contact 6
the team at Regional Business HQ, who are happy to help.
Small business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program
Between $2,000 and $10,000 is available for small or micro businesses to:
- Prepare for safe resumption of trading in the post COVID-19 recovery
- Introduce digital technologies to improve business operations, transition into a new way of doing business or to up-skill and re-skill business owners alongside staff to ultimately benefit the business
- Create and sustain employment to maintain potential long-term growth and continue to meet operating costs
Applicants have a maximum of 6 months from the date of approval to complete the project
For more information, visit: Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program
Back to Work Initiative – Employee Support Payment
The Back to Work program is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders
who have experienced a period of unemployment. Support payments are available to eligible
employers who hire a previously unemployed Queenslander who has experienced a minimum
period of unemployment directly prior to commencing work with them.
The program is available throughout regional Queensland and in some areas of South East
Queensland (SEQ).
Employers can make an online application through QGrants after the eligible employee completes
four weeks of continuous paid employment. Initial applications must be received within eight weeks
of the employee completing four weeks of continuous employment.
For more information, visit: Back to Work Initiative – Employer Support Payment
New Small Business Grants coming soon…
The Queensland Government has announced three new small business grants programs worth
$25 million over two years.
The Business Basics, Business Boost and Business Growth Fund grants will target specific groups
within the sector and continue to deliver on the Government’s election commitments to small
business. The grants are being rolled out based on direct feedback received from small business
owners through the Small Business Roadshow and online survey which showed support programs
are needed to assist Queensland businesses at different stages of the business lifecycle.
Grant programs are being delivered over the coming months to provide businesses with time to
prepare prior to application periods. The upcoming grant schedule is now available on the Business Queensland website.
Small business operators should visit the Business Queensland website to access the grants
schedule as well as guidelines and eligibility information for the Business Growth Fund to get ready
to apply.
Business Growth Fund Program
The program provides funding for small and medium-sized businesses experiencing high-growth to
buy specialised equipment to unlock growth potential, increase production, expand your workforce
and maximise economic returns.
Funded businesses are expected to:
- increase confidence for growth, transitioning from small to medium-sized
- increase productivity, turnover, profit and employment by 20%
- improve confidence to automate, scale up, increase market share, diversify and/or exploit
exporting opportunities.
Funding is awarded through a competitive assessment process with 3 stages, including a mentoring
session, application and shortlisting process. An invitation will be forwarded to shortlisted
applications for a pitching session involving business experts and department executives.
Registrations for this program begin Tuesday 11 May 2021.
For more information, visit: Business Growth Fund Program
Business Basics
Business Basics grants of up to $5,000 each support new and emerging businesses to increase core
capabilities and adopt current best practice.
Applications are due to open on 31 May 2021.
For updates on this grant: Business Queensland – Grants Schedule
Business Boost
Business Boost grants of up to $15,000 will help small businesses to improve their efficiency and
productivity through organisational development and upgrades through automated software and
CRM systems. Grants can be used for website development and upgrades, strategic marketing,
training and coaching, advisory services and planning for business continuity and succession.
Applications are expected to open late July 2021.
For updates on this grant: Business Queensland – Grants Schedule
Incentives for Employers – Australian Apprenticeships
As an employer of an Australian Apprentice you may be eligible for financial assistance from the
Australian Government to help with hiring and training an apprentice.
For more information on Employer Incentives, visit: Australian Apprenticeship Employer Incentives
Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
Through the subsidy, any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian
Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50 per
cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the
date of commencement, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. There is no cap on the number of
eligible trainees/ apprentices.
For more information, visit: Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an eligible apprentice or trainee ’s
wages paid until 31 March 2021. In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium sized businesses may be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021.
For more information, visit: Supporting Apprentices and Trainees
Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment
Eligible employers of Australian Apprentices will also receive $2,000 at the 12 month point from the
commencement of the apprenticeship and an additional $2,000 at completion of the
apprenticeship.
For more information, visit: Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment
Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
An employer of an adult Australian Apprentice may be eligible to attract the SAAA payment where
the Australian Apprentice is:
- undertaking a full-time or part-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List at the date of commencement or recommencement; and
- in receipt of an ‘actual wage’ paid by the employer at the date of commencement or recommencement which is equal to or greater than the National Minimum Wage
For more information, visit: Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) is an incentive payable to an employer who
employs an Australian Apprentice who satisfies the disability eligibility criteria. DAAWS is also
available to employers who employ Australian Apprentices who become disabled during their
apprenticeship.
For more information, visit: Assistance for Australian Apprentices with Disability
Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy
The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial aims to support apprenticeships in skills need
occupations in rural and regional areas and encourage participation in apprenticeships by employers
who have not previously engaged apprentices, as well as re-engaging employers who may have
disengaged from the system. Employers who employ a new worker Australian Apprentice undertaking a full-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the
National Skills Needs List in a rural and regional workplace.
For more information, visit: Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy
Our Partners
Sometimes you come across a hidden gem, and you just can’t stop shouting their praises…
At Regional Business HQ, we are always on the look out for products and services that really help
small businesses cut through red tape and remove administrative burden to free up valuable time
for people already stretched thin.
Two of the products we are happy to partner with are the Australian Employee Manual and
Driversnote. The Australian Employee Manual provides you with a ready to go product that is up to
date with all current legislation. Driversnote is an app that makes FBT reporting a breeze! It is simple
and easy to use and is available on desktops as well as Android and Apple phones.
Australian Employee Manual believes in making managing your team easy. When you are in a small
business or a not for profit, you may not have a human resources professional on your team or cant
afford to hire a consultant. That’s where Australian Employee Manual can help. Since 2007
Australian Employee Manual has easy to apply employee templates, processes and forms that have
been helping small business owners get back to growing their business or delivering a service, rather
than spending weeks bogged down writing policies.
Employee Performance Reviews can be one of the best tools to boost performance, improve morale
and increase productivity …if they are done well. But too often people just fill in the forms and
wonder why they didn’t get the results they were looking for. Or, they are suddenly faced by an
employee in tears, or who gets angry during their performance appraisal. Or, they have to deal with
a poor performer.
These everyday events can trip up the most experienced managers –and derail your whole
employee review process unless you know what to do. Australian Employee Manual, Employee
Performance Reviews: Tips Templates & Tactics22 can help you create a positive employee
performance review that create effective and lasting performance improvements.
Driversnote‘s logbook app is always at hand to record your trips and calculate your reimbursement.
Save addresses you visit frequently, add notes and set each trips purpose for a complete mileage log.
Driversnote will keep your car logbook ready for download as a PDF or spreadsheet in line with ATO
requirements. The best bit is that it is free for 20 trips per month! If, like us, after trying out the free
version you think that the app is worth it to save the headache of manually counting logbook trips,
head over to our affiliate page and purchase your subscription.
Driversnote also has an ATO Mileage guide, where you’ll find a collection of articles that will help
you navigate the rules of reimbursing employees for their car expenses or deducting expenses as an
employee or self-employed individual. Knowing the rules and requirements for mileage logs, and the
like, is important, as it could mean the difference between being reimbursed or not.
Our Sponsors
NBN Classification – Commercial
Bundaberg, Maryborough and Gympie are three of the 85 regional Business fibre Zones designed to
level the playing field by improving the availability of fibre builds and flattening traditional pricing
structures that typically favoured capital cities.
The Business Fibre initiative is all about helping unlock potential growth and productivity associated
with technology investment and adoption, including job creation. As a key part of the initiative,
we’re offering Enterprise Ethernet to service providers with no up front build costs for an estimated
90% of business locations within the nbn network footprint.
This is part of nbn’s ongoing commitment to helping local businesses access the solutions they need
for resilience and growth through access to fast and reliable connectivity at a time when online
presence, digital collaboration platforms and cloud-based tools are becoming more significant for
businesses.
Enterprise Ethernet is nbn’s premium wholesale business product, built upon a robust fibre network
that designed to help businesses of any size, now and into the future.
For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au or contact Deborah Mead m: 0439 398 334
Bundaberg Fibre Zone Map| Maryborough Fibre Zone Map| Gympie Fibre Zone Map
Upcoming Events
NBNco Bus touring the North and South Burnett with Business LEAP
The NBN Bus is on tour through North and South Burnett in the months of May and June! The
Business LEAP Team will be in attendance at multiple locations during the roadshow – bookings can
be made to have a one on one sessions with Business LEAP Entrepreneurship Facilitators Vicki
Leeson and Jason Virtue.
Dates to look out for:
- Monday, 31 May | 1:00 pm -3:00 pm | Kingaroy
- Tuesday, 1 June |10:00 am -12:30 pm | Murgon
- Tuesday, 1 June | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Goomeri
- Wednesday, 2 June | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Kilkivan
- Wednesday, 2 June | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Biggenden
- Thursday, 3 June | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Gayndah
- Thursday, 3 June | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Mundubbera
- Friday, 4 June | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Monto
Contact us today to ensure you get your preferred time early – bookings are limited.
Small Business Month Breakfast –Gympie
Tuesday, 11 May 2021 | 7:30 am – 9:30 am | Gympie RSL Club – 217 Mary Street, Gympie, 4570
Join fellow business people at this inspiring event held in the Gympie Region as part of Queensland
Small Business Month!
Learn about information, assistance and funding available to help your business grow and develop.
Take part in some morning business ‘exercise’ with a Business Fitness Checkup and hear from some
remarkable local business people as they share insights and stories about their business journey. You
will be informed and inspired and leave with a blueprint to help make sure your business is fighting
fit and ready to grow.
Presenting organisations include:
Business LEAP, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Rural Financial Counselling
Services SQ and successful local business, CC’s Kitchen
Registrations for this event are full!
Bounce Back Better Series – Kickstart your Business! – Goomeri
Wednesday, 12 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 1:00 pm | Goomeri Hall of Memory, 17 Boonara St, Goomeri
Join fellow business people at this inspiring event held as part of Queensland Small Business Month!
Learn about information, assistance and funding available to help your business grow and develop.
Develop some winning strategies for your social media pages and leave with a blueprint to help
make sure your business is fighting fit and ready to grow.
Presenting organisations include:
Business LEAP, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, NBNco, Rural Financial
Counselling Services SQ and Tenacious Digital
Growing Ags 2021
Day 1 – Thursday, 13 May 2021 | 7:35 am – 4:30 pm | Gayndah Town Hall, 32-34 Capper Street,
Gayndah, 4625
Dinner – Thursday, 13 May 2021 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | The Golden Orange, 3-5 Maltby Pl, Gayndah,
4625
Day 2 – Friday 14 May 2021 | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm | Gayndah Town Hall, 32-34 Capper Street,
Gayndah, 4625
Growing Ags 2021 brings together young producers for two days of learning, connecting and growing
our local agriculture industries.
Across two days, you will hear from guest speakers on a range of topics, from soil health to water
quality, succession planning to land management, latest technology trends and so much more…
Catch up with old friends and make plenty of new ones at the Growing Ags 2021 dinner on Thursday
evening from 6:00 pm. The Golden Orange will host a two course dinner, complete with l ight
entertainment for your enjoyment.
Pain-Free Networking
Wednesday, 19 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 11:00 am | Regional Business HQ – Stewart Room, 20B Quay
Street, Bundaberg, 4670
Many people feel anxious about attending networking events and talking to strangers, let alone
taking the next step and talking to them about their business.
In this workshop, you will learn:
- Tips to give you more confidence in networking situations
- How to effectively communicate what problems your business solves
The workshop will include an opportunity to discuss your networking ‘pain points’ along with some
interactive exercises.
Presented by David Wise fromWise Words Communications
Investment-readiness workshop – Bundaberg
Thursday, 20 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm | Rowers on the River, 2 Toonburra Street, Bundaberg,
4670
Trade and Investment (TIQ) is partnering with Deloitte Australia to deliver a series of workshops
around Queensland to help small and medium-sized businesses attract new investment.
The Investment-readiness 2021 series will focus on the practical tools that businesses need to
successfully engage investors. In this workshop, you’ll learn about what investors are looking for and
which areas you should focus on in your business to maximise value, and get expert support to
develop a winning investment proposal.
More information on this workshop series44
Bounce Back Better Series – Kickstart your Business! – Rainbow Beach
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 | 9:30 am – 1:00 pm | Rainbow Beach Community Centre, 32 Rainbow
Beach Road, Rainbow Beach, 4581
Join fellow business people at this inspiring event held as part of Queensland Small Business Month!
Learn about information, assistance and funding available to help your business grow and develop.
Develop some winning strategies for your social media pages and leave with a blueprint to help
make sure your business is fighting fit and ready to grow.
Presenting organisations include:
Business LEAP, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, NBNco, Rural Financial
Counselling Services SQ and Tenacious Digital
Growing Regional Leaders – 3 day Workshop
Monday, 31 May 2021 – Wednesday 2 June 2021 | Regional Business HQ, Neville Room – 20B Quay
Street, Bundaberg, 4670
Growing Regional Leaders (GRL) is a 3-day leadership program designed specifically with regional
Australia’s potential leaders in mind. The Program is highly participative, interactive, challenging and
practical learning experiences are implemented. We aim for participants to have fun while learning.
In addition, there will be one individual and group session on Zoom to see how everyone is tracking
on their leadership journey. Attendance over all three days is vital to ensure you get the most from
the full experience and so that you fully contribute to the learning environment.
Outcomes:
- Greater confidence and courage for informed decision making, balancing the role of a leader,
and stepping into leading roles in the future.
- Improved knowledge of self and others
- Improved ability to work effectively with others
- Improved ability to influence positive change in self, family, community, business and
industry
AgriFood Capability Statement Workshop
Wednesday, 2 June 2021 | 10:30 am – 02:30 pm | Rowers on the River, 2 Toonburra Street,
Bundaberg, 4670
This workshop will provide the top tips to help your business develop and prepare an effective
capability statement.
By attending you will learn:
- why a capability statement is important
- how to use your capability statement to market your product or service
- how to use your capability statement to accompany contract tender submissions
- best-practice fundamentals for developing and drafting a powerful capability statement
- key aspects in customising your capability statement to attract investment and expand your
export market development
Taking Care of Business Workshop: Preparing your business for sale
Tuesday, 8 June 2021 | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | 26 Lyons St, Mundubbera, 4626
In this final workshop in the series, ‘Preparing your business for sale’ you’ll learn valuable insights
such as what you need to present your business for sale, what to look for in an sales agent and some
of the costs that can be incurred when selling your business.
You’ll receive your own workbook, plus a one-on-one session with Vicki after each workshop. By
participating in this and future Taking Care of Business workshops and webinars, you’ll join other
locals on a similar learning journey and have access and support from peers and mentor Vicki.
More business events with BIEDO
Reef Regulations – Information Session
Online Information Session – Tuesday, 18 May 2021 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Online Information Session – Monday, 24 May 2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Information Session – Thursday, 27 May 2021 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Monto
Information Session – Tuesday, 1 June 2021 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Bundaberg
Information Session – Wednesday, 2 June 2021 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Kingaroy
Online Information Session – Monday, 24 May 2021 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Primary producers are being encouraged to find out how they can make their farms more
sustainable in line with new cropping and horticulture requirements, which take effect next month.
Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said the Department of
Environment and Science would host a series of online and in-person sessions to assist farmers learn
about the new requirements for expanding cropping and horticulture that commence from June 1.
For more information on the updates to regulations or to register to attend an information session,
visit: Reef Regulations
