By Natalie BennettThursday 5 Aug 2021SponsoredReading Time: 2 minutes

With news this week that the current lockdown will be extended, Sunshine Coast Council was swift to alert businesses to a new range of COVID-19 Business Support Grants, disaster payments, financial assistance and relief finder services currently available.   

In a newsletter to local businesses, the Sunshine Coast Council outlined a range of support being made available through Queensland and Australian governments, as well as Queensland local councils.

Local business owners may now be eligible for financial support through the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants. $5000 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.

COVID-19 disaster payments

In addition, the Australian Government has announced extra support for people affected by Queensland COVID-19 hotspots and restrictions. This support would allow eligible workers to receive $750 per week if they lose 20 hours or more of work, while those that lose between eight and less than 20 hours, or a full day of work, receive a payment of $450 per week. To find out more and check eligibility criteria visit Services Australia webpage.

Business counselling services

A service provided by the Australian and Queensland Governments, specifically to assist Small Businesses who are experiencing hardship due to the impacts of COVID-19, allows business to 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. This service provides free confidential assistance to businesses with:

• Understanding their finances
• Accessing government assistance
• Dealing with debt
• Referrals (for other business services and support; legal, human resources, expert financial etc)

For more information on these Small Business counselling services, visit rfcssq.org.au/small-business-assistance.

Other financial assistance and relief finder

Sunshine Coast Council also made available a tools so local businesses could learn what support is available from the Queensland and Australian governments, plus Queensland local councils. Coronavirus (COVID-19) business assistance finder: business.qld.gov.au/covid-assistance.

Local businesses can also phone the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687 or take the business impact survey to be linked with the relevant support.

Stay up to date with the support available to your business on the Sunshine Coast Council COVID-19 Business Support page.

Grow your business with Salt 106.5

Salt 106.5 is here to help you and your business through these challenging times. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can grow your business with Salt 106.5 radio and digital marketing solutions contact the Salt team today.

4 Reasons to Consider Sponsorship

• Salt 106.5 is the fastest growing radio station on the Sunshine Coast. Now reaching 63,000 listeners per month (ALS, Salt 106.5 July 2019 Monthly Listenership)
• Less Clutter – only 5 mins per hour making your business STAND OUT
• Family-friendly safe radio (no shock jock/smutty stuff)
• Affordable marketing of your business