As part of the state government’s latest initiative, entrepreneurial mothers throughout Queensland could be funded up to $5,000 (excluding GST) to take their business to the next level.
What is this grant all about?
The Queensland Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow — Home-Based Business grants program is making $1 million available in grants over the next three years. With the objective of supporting stay-at-home parents to establish and develop home-based businesses, the Department of Tourism, Major Events and Small Businesses (DTESB) will provide successful applicants with funding in two stages.
The first stage is a grant of up to $2,500 to assist you in your business by covering the cost of engaging a consultant for professional advice.
The second stage is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $2,500, to be provided to successful applicants from the first stage, to further their business plan as created with their consultant.
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Will you receive $5,000 in cold, hard cash?
Alas, no, it doesn’t work like that. These grant payments will be paid directly to the consultant or service provider who is helping you move your business forward.
Are you eligible for the funding?
To be eligible for these grants, you must:
- Have a Queensland-based home business as of Aug. 24
- Meet the definition of a home-based business
- Have at least one child under the age of 12 in your care for at least 50 per cent of the time
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
Further eligibility will be clarified within the application guidelines when they are made available in August.
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How to register your ABN
If you don’t yet have your business up and running, now is your chance to get started. Your business must be registered and operating by the date the applications open on Aug. 24, 2015. If you do not yet have an ABN, you can apply for one online here; it’s free and only takes a few minutes.
For a list of the information you may need to apply for your ABN application, check out this list.
Can someone help you apply for the grant?
The team over at Aus Mumpreneur is a key partner in initiating this landmark grant program and, as such, they will be making their services available to assist mums with home-based businesses to apply for the grant.
Visit them here and register your details, and they will be in touch with you when they have more information.
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You can also register your interest to [email protected]; be sure to do so by Aug. 24, 2015, as application forms and guidelines will be provided after this date.
You can find out more about the grant here, or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for any general enquiries.
Good luck to all the hard-working mums out there!
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