Support Programs And Updates For Businesses From the QSBC Small Business Industry Roundtable

Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) Dominique Lamb held a Small Business Industry Roundtable recently, which was attended by MPAQ, to discuss some key growth locations in Queensland, insights that may impact businesses, and advocacy and assistance work surrounding insurance, childcare, industrial relations reforms, taxation, digital and financial literacy, fuel, and freight.

Below is the summary of the meeting highlighting updates from the Commissioner and challenges raised by small businesses during the roundtable discussion:

Below are links to some of the support programs discussed and additional programs that businesses may access:

• Business Launchpad – find licences, permits, codes of practice and regulations from across government to help business owner start and run their business.
• Industry Workforce Advisors – can assist small business tenants to plan their workforce, find solutions to employment challenges, and connect with programs, incentives, and funding opportunities.
• Mentoring for growth program - information and tips from Mentoring for Growth (M4G) mentors on different topics, plus the opportunity to join the mentors in free panel webinars.
• Small Business Financial Counselling and Wellness Program - helps small businesses experiencing financial challenges with FREE, one-on-one financial support, including cash flow planning, budgeting, insolvency advice and dispute resolution assistance, PLUS helps small business owners with unique and personal business challenges, needs and opportunities in a FREE one-on-one, supportive environment.
• Small Business Debt Helpline - a not-for-profit service that helps Australians with their debt problems. The service can advocate on your behalf, stop harassment from collectors, negotiate debts, and organise affordable repayments
• NewAccess for Small Business Owners – a FREE guided self-help mental health coaching program.
• Workforce Evolve – FREE Queensland Government funded e-learning program designed to help employers think differently about who they hire and how to retain them in the future.
• ecoBiz - a FREE program funded by the Queensland Government to help Queensland businesses audit their resource use and reduce costs from waste, water, and energy bills.
• Griffith Tax Clinic - FREE tax assistance to help small business owners navigate the Australian tax system. They may be able to assist with:
  • tax advice 
  • responding to an ATO notice or ongoing issues with the ATO 
  • reporting meetings and filing requirement 
  • applying for remissions of penalties 
  • negotiating a payment plan with the ATO 
  • computing tax liability 
  • understanding your tax return 
  • understanding tax law, and your rights and obligations.

• The Griffith Tax Clinic also run free tax education seminars to help provide a better understanding of Australia’s tax system. You can find more information about and book an upcoming seminar here.   
• Other useful resources provided by Griffith Tax Clinic include a series of presentations about how tax can influence the cash flow of Australian businesses and Australia’s superannuation system. These videos can be found here, Cash Flow and Tax - YouTube & Superannuation and Tax - YouTube 

• JCU Tax Clinic – FREE to assist unrepresented taxpayers, established small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in meeting or complying with their taxation affairs.
• CyberWardens Program – helping protect small business from online threats (led by Council of Small Business Organisations Australia – COSBOA). 
• Queensland Government Grants Finder – Provides information on Queensland Government grants and assistance programs.
• GRANTGURU - all the grants in Australia for business, community, NFP's and LGA's - all in one convenient location.
• Queensland Savers – information and links to Queensland Government funded savings and support services.
• Prepare your construction business for disasters – QG Small Business Disaster Hub – can also download the small business disaster hub app to access this information offline and receive relevant alerts.