On 25 Sept 2021, the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments issued a joint media release stating that an allocation from the State and Federal Governments $600m support package worth $70m will be targeted at Queensland’s tourism industry. Specifically, $30m will be allocated to support Queensland’s iconic tourism attractions and $40m will be used to provide a second round of grants to small, medium and large employing tourism and hospitality businesses across the state that received an initial grant from the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program.
For the iconic tourism grants, the eligibility criteria will include:
- Being key drivers of significant interstate and/or international tourism, as well as major employers;
- Nationally significant tourism operators and attractions, such as major theme parks and major reef tourism operators;
- Demonstrating a 50% reduction in turnover and visitation over the 3 month period from 1 July to 30 September 2021, compared to pre-COVID;
- Businesses to maintain their staff levels through the assistance period, to the end of 2021.
Second round of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program – grants of $15,000, $25,000 and $50,000 will be available for
- small, medium and large employing businesses across the state
- that have experienced a reduction in turnover of at least 70% for at least 7 consecutive days between 1 July and 30 September.
- Major Tourism enterprises that receive an iconic tourism grant will not be eligible to receive a further grant under the Second Round of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program.
[LTN 186, 27/9/21]
[Tax Month – September 2021] 28.9.21