February 2022

COVID-19 update

Mask restrictions easing from 6pm 4 March
From 6pm on Friday 4 March masks will no longer be required in workplaces, schools and shops, including staff and patrons at hospitality venues including cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Masks will still be recommended whenever you can’t socially distance and continue to be required in public transport, airports, planes, hospitals, disability care, aged care and prison settings.

Density limits will be scrapped or lifted in a range of settings. Check the details and other updates on the Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status Direction.

Check In Qld app changes
Staff and customers of a range of businesses, excluding those that require proof of vaccination, no longer need to use the Check In Qld app. This includes retail businesses, supermarkets, taxis and ride-shares, hairdressers and beauty therapy, and gyms among others.

Businesses that need to check customers’ and staff vaccination status will continue to use the app, in line with the Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status Direction.

Staff returning to work after COVID
Queensland Health advises people can leave isolation after seven days if they don’t have any symptoms or just a mild, dry cough. People do not need a negative test to end isolation and staff do not need to produce a negative test to return to work. This is because they may continue to return positive results even though they don’t have COVID-19 and are no longer infectious. Find more on Managing COVID-19 in workplaces.

International borders
From 21 February, international borders are open for fully vaccinated visa holders. Visa holders who aren’t fully vaccinated will require an exemption to enter Australia and are subject to state or territory quarantine requirements. Find more about entering Queensland from overseas.

Queensland Government support

Queensland Workforce Summit — complete a short business survey
Businesses across Queensland’s diverse regions and industries are invited to complete a short survey covering the impacts of the Omicron outbreak, skills and recruitment issues and other topics. Your answers will help identify current challenges and opportunities that can be addressed at the Queensland Workforce Summit to be held on 11 March. This event brings together international and Queensland industry and economic experts, thought leaders and change makers to address current and future workforce challenges. The survey will close on 4 March 2022. Access the survey here.

Mentoring for Growth
Have you taken part in this free small business mentoring program yet? Mentoring for Growth (M4G) enables eligible businesses to engage with experienced business and industry experts who can offer insights, options and suggestions on your business challenges and opportunities.

Maybe you are a small business that sells fashion jewellery and accessories online? Or do you have a solid database and great products but need help with expansion strategies and whether it’s worthwhile breaking into international markets? Our expert business mentors can provide you with some great marketing strategies, ways to use your database to get more customers, and ideas on how to make your business more scalable.

This is just one example of how M4G could help your small business! Register for a free and confidential mentoring session today: www.business.qld.gov.au/mentoring.

Permanent amendment allows restaurant licensees to sell wine with takeaway meals
Restaurants operating under a ‘commercial other – subsidiary on-premises (meals) licence’ can apply for a permanent condition of licence which will allow 1.5 litres of wine (i.e. two bottles) to be sold with a takeaway meal.

Licensed restaurants must meet certain criteria in order to sell takeaway wine with takeaway meals with information on how to apply and fees available online.

Permanent funding for Queensland’s Manufacturing Hubs
The Queensland Government has announced permanent funding for its six Manufacturing Hubs in Cairns, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville. The $17.75 million in funding means each hub will continue to deliver business development, skills and training, and advanced manufacturing awareness programs in their region to support local businesses to adopt new technology, grow their operations and employ more people. Find out more about the manufacturing hubs.

Help for businesses starting to export or looking to expand overseas offerings
Trade and Investment Queensland offers a range of advice and support to assist Queensland businesses looking at global opportunities. Check out TIQ’s Queensland businesses page to find out about upcoming events, review market profiles and free trade agreements and keep an eye out for upcoming grants and other assistance programs. The Queensland Government has also started construction on the Cairns Regional Trade Distribution Centre, which will support exporting of local produce when it commences operation.

Nominate

2022 Queensland Training Awards now open!

Each year the awards shine the spotlight on top achievers in vocational education and training (VET), from apprentices, trainees and VET students through to teachers, employers and training organisations.

Do you know someone with a powerful training story to tell? Perhaps it’s you or your business?

Like Southport’s Frizelle Sunshine Automotive that went on to win the Queensland Large Employer of the Year title last year – well-deserved recognition for their commitment to building a skilled workforce and training the next generation of apprentices.

Or maybe an apprentice, trainee or VET student who is going the extra mile in their training, like Chinchilla’s Kasey Hardy who went on to win state and national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year titles.

Information on award categories, how to nominate and support available is all on the website, visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/qta-enter.

Nominations close midnight Thursday 31 March 2022.

Key dates

28 February — Australian Tax Office (ATO) deadlines

Businesses lodging quarterly Business Activity Statements (BAS) can check out the ATO’s tips for preparing your BAS during COVID. Businesses that missed the January super guarantee quarterly due date need to lodge and pay the super guarantee charge by 28 February.

5–13 March — Queensland Women’s Week

This year’s Queensland Women’s Week theme — ‘Keep making noise’ — encourages everyone to recognise the contributions and achievements of women, and to keep sharing stories and pursuing equality. Find promotional resources and events on the Queensland Women’s Week page to join the celebration. International Women’s Day will be celebrated on Tuesday 8 March with the theme ‘Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’.

May 2022 — Queensland Small Business Month 2022 
During May each year Queensland celebrates the contribution small businesses make in driving our economy, creating local jobs, and building strong communities.

By working together with chambers, councils, peak bodies and small business associations, Queensland Small Business Month 2022 program will feature over 200 events and engagements to connect small business to support, grants and partnerships that will help small businesses thrive.

Hosting a small business in May? Promote and boost attendance by registering it on the Business Queensland website events calendar, so small business owners can find opportunities in their local area.

Small businesses can register to receive a free QSBM promotional kit to help promote their products and services during May by emailing events@desbt.qld.gov.au.

Queenslanders can get involved by purposefully purchasing from a small business in May to show and share their support via the QSBM #lovesmallbusiness social media campaign.

Resources

Queensland natural disaster assistance

A range of information and contacts for businesses affected by natural disasters is available from the Business Queensland website. It includes details of grants and loans available under the joint Australian and Queensland Government funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements where they are available.

Business Launchpad

Business Launchpad aims to save time and effort for people starting a new business by helping to identify local, state and federal licences, permits and other requirements. It currently targets the food and beverage and residential construction businesses and is expanding to include new Local Government Areas across Queensland.

Mental health support

Find out about warning signs, symptoms and resources to support mental health and well-being for business owners and others.

Small business financial counsellors
The Small Business Financial Counselling Program provides assistance to small businesses that are experiencing hardship and have no alternative source of impartial support. The Australian and Queensland Governments provide funding to deliver the program through the Rural Financial Service Southern Queensland and Rural Financial Service North Queensland.

Queensland Tourism Business Financial Counselling Service
The Queensland Tourism Business Financial Counselling Service provides free financial
counselling support to help tourism operators who have been financially impacted as a result of COVID-19.

Stay connected

For further health updates please keep checking the Queensland Government website. In addition to this message, you can stay up-to-date with the latest assistance from the Queensland and Australian Governments through the Business Queensland website. You can also follow us at facebook.com/businessqldgov.