Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program

The program will benefit businesses across the state, particularly those in hard hit regions such as Cairns, Whitsundays and the Gold Coast.

Support will be available to a range of eligible tourism and hospitality operators, including zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks, theme parks and water parks, various types of tour operations including marine tourism, and adventure activities such as bungy jumping, abseiling, go-karting, whitewater rafting, cafes and restaurants, travel agents and accommodation providers.

The program will support these businesses to continue offering a viable product and be in a position to retain and ramp-up their workforce as interstate tourism markets fully open.

There will be three levels of support for employing sole traders to small business (with a payroll under $1.3 million), small to medium businesses (with a payroll of $1.3 million to $10 million inclusive), and medium to large businesses (payroll over $10 million).

The level of support will increase in line with payroll size from $15,000 for small businesses, to $25,000 for medium businesses, and to $50,000 for large businesses.

The program, which is part of the $600 million Australian Government-Queensland Government COVID-19 Business Support Package, is set to open in October 2021.

More information
The program’s funding guidelines, including eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions will be available soon.

To register your details to find out when applications open, email tourism@dtis.qld.gov.au.