SER Connections Newsletter - January 2023

Welcome to the first edition for 2023 of the South East Region Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Connections.

Our Connections newsletter provides stakeholders with updated information and links to programs and initiatives relevant to our region.

Last year we faced many challenges including severe flooding in early 2022 and the Queensland Government offered Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants to assist small business, which are still available. 

This year we look forward to celebrating achievements and both the Queensland Training Awards and the Queensland Greats Awards are open for nominations. We also continue to support small business through our programs, grants and small business hubs. 

Our regional team look forward to connecting with you throughout the year through established working groups, events and other interactions.  Please reach out to us if you think we may be able to assist in the areas of employment, small business or training.

Feel free to forward this newsletter to your networks.

Tara Gaudry
Acting Regional Director, South East Region 
Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

P: 1800 210 210  E: southtraining@desbt.qld.gov.au  W: desbt.qld.gov.au

The Queensland Government continues to show its support for the small business sector by extending the application deadline for the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants.

South East Queensland primary producers, businesses and non-profit organisations impacted by rainfall and flooding between February and April 2022 have more time to apply with the application deadline extended to 10 March 2023.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available for primary producers, and $50,000 for small businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

Grants are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), and are designed to assist with the costs of clean-up, and reinstatement of operations.

The application extension date was in response to feedback from affected communities, acknowledging the severe and ongoing challenges of recent weather events, and to ensure that every eligible Queenslander has access to the support they need. To apply, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946.

Registrations close 24 January 2023

The Chamber Wellness Fund is available to Queensland Chambers of Commerce to help build awareness of mental health services, and to upskill chambers and their members to support business owners.

Chambers can apply for grants between $2,000 and $5,000 to develop and implement local mental health wellness initiatives tailored to the small business owners and operators in their area.

The $150,000 fund is part of the Queensland Government’s Small Business Wellness Package which aims to support the mental health and wellness of Queensland small businesses and promote and improve access to available support services.

2 stage application process 

1. Registation of interest (ROI) - The ROI is a short form asking chambers to: provide core business information and confirm their eligibility for the grant program.

2. Full application - successful stage 1 applicants will be invited to complete a full application (expand on ROI).

The Queensland Small Business Commissioner is a passionate supporter of Queensland small business.

QSBC works to enhance the operating environment for small businesses by providing practical information, support and assistance to help Queensland small business thrive. 

QSBC provides a range of assistance and advocacy services to support small business.

Ms Dominique Lamb has been appointed as Queensland's permanent Small Business Commissioner. Ms Lamb is the former CEO of the National Retail Association (NRA) and brings to the Commissioner role extensive experience working with the small business sector across a wide range of policy areas, including economic recovery and industrial relations. 

As Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Ms Lamb and her office will continue to expand the Small Business Friendly Councils program and provide small businesses with a dedicated, central point of contact to access information, support and advice, including assistance with disputes involving a retail tenancy, small business lease or small business franchise.

Nominate and celebrate your achievements in vocational education and training (VET) as part of the 62nd Queensland Training Awards.  Across a range of categories, the annual awards recognise individuals and organisations that strive for and have achieved success, best practice and innovation in vocational education and training.

The awards showcase all that's great about VET in Queensland, with categories for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, as well as training providers and employers. Find out more about the awards at About the awards.

Nominations close 5pm, Friday 3 February 2023 and the 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Award recipients will be announced at a ceremony during reconciliation week (27 May–3 June 2023).

Do you know an inspirational Queenslander who should be recognised for their significant dedication to Queensland? It could be an industry expert or leader, colleague or a community organisation that has positively influenced our state.

This is your chance to nominate them for the 2023 Queensland Greats Awards, with nominations open across three categories—Individual, Institution and Posthumous.

Nominations close 5pm, Friday 17 February 2023. The 2023 Queensland Greats will be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane in June 2023.

For more about the awards nomination process visit www.qld.gov.au/qldgreats

Start the New Year with a Mentoring for Growth session. Check out "Ask a mentor article series" for information and tips from our Mentoring for Growth (M4G) mentors on different topics, plus the opportunity to join our mentors in free panel webinars.

Webinar - setting up and managing finances 

Date: Monday 30 January 2023
Time: 9.00am (AEST).