There is a range of support to help businesses during COVID-19.

Queensland Government support

• 2 August 2021: The Queensland Government has today announced it will provide $5,000 payments to small and medium businesses in Queensland affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown. The payment is also available to businesses impacted by lockdowns in other states. There will also be support payments to eligible impacted large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector in the 11 local government areas currently locked down. Information will soon be updated on this page. Read the media release.

• Businesses can also contact one of the Queensland Government-funded Tourism Business Financial Counsellors or COVID-19 Small Business Counsellors who can assist with identifying potential sources of funding and business support. More information here.

• Updated July 2021: Summary of Government grants and support relevant for the tourism and events industry. Read it here.

• Use the Queensland Government Business Assistance Finder tool. Answer a series of questions about your business size and type to view the relevant business support packages available and applicable to you.

TEQ support

• ATDW fee waiver: In response to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis facing the state's tourism and events industry, Tourism and Events Queensland, in partnership with Queensland's regional tourism organisations, is offering ATDW membership with no annual fee for the next 24 months, providing a saving of $150 per year. This offer is available to all tourism and events operators in Queensland.
  Operators looking to take up this offer should visit www.atdw-online.com.au and click 'Register Now' in the top right corner to create an ATDW listing. 
  For existing ATDW members, there is no action to take.

Australian Government support

• 1 August 2021: The Australian Government has announced the COVID-19 Disaster Payments will be extended to people affected by Queensland COVID-19 hotspots and restrictions. Further information on eligibility criteria and the opening date for applications will be available on the Services Australia website.
• The Australian Treasury webpage provides a range of links and advice for businesses, including a fact sheet on support for sole traders and an updated fact sheet on the JobKeeper payment.

• The Australian Tax Office webpage also provides a breakdown of support for businesses.

Advice hotlines:

• Queensland Government business hotline: 1300 654 687 or take the business impact survey to be linked with relevant support.
• The Australian Government has established an advice hotline for small and medium-sized businesses: ph. 13 28 46.
  
  

Other business help and advice:

• The National Cabinet has agreed that states and territories will introduce a mandatory Code of Conduct to impose a set of principles for commercial leasing. The Code of Conduct has now been released.
• The ATO has advice specific to working from home during COVID-19 and what can be claimed, how to calculate your claim and what records you need to keep.
• The Australian Tourism Export Council has a dedicated webpage linking you to vital resources and support, as well as ATEC's webinar series.
• Fair Work Ombudsman - Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws.
• Safe Work Australia - COVID-19 information for workplaces including preparing workplaces and workers for COVID-19, what to do if a worker has COVID-19, safe working from home practices and much more.
• Australian Department of Health information for employers - including whether staff can go to work, what precautions you should take when cleaning and how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• Fair Work Commission variance of the modern award - update courtesy Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers.
• Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) helplines - banking, business and personal distress support, general insurance and HR advice.
• The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland has a dedicated COVID-19 assistance webpage, including all employers in Queensland having unlimited access to its HR Helpline, webinars on managing workforce and remote working conditions and policies and templates to use in your business.
• COVID-19 Business Advice courtesy Hoffman Kelly Chartered Accountants.
• ACCC guidance for consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• ACCC guidance for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Useful pandemic resources:

• Pandemic risk-management resource from Business Queensland
• Tourism e-school's COVID-19 Immediate Response Action Plan for Operators
• Austrade's Guide to assist tourism businesses to prepare, respond and recover from a crisis
• Facebook's guide to how businesses can respond to the coronavirus
• Brisbane-based strategic consultancy Luminair has developed an operations-based e-book focussed on assisting event organisers and councils with COVID-19 crisis communications guidance and forecast considerations post the pandemic.

Feeling concerned? Anxious? Worried?:

If you are struggling at this challenging time, these online resources may help:

• Head to Health - the Australian Government's Head to Health website has extensive resources on dealing with COVID-19, including how to maintain good mental health, how to talk to children about COVID-19 and access to support services.
• Life in Mind Australia - COVID-19 Mental Health Support.
• Beyond Blue - looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
• How to maintain good mental health while social distancing.