Up to $500,000 for tourism businesses in Far North Queensland that were forced to completely close due to extended isolation following the Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant – Extended Isolation?
The Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant – Extended Isolation (TEAG-EI) is a specialised funding initiative designed to support tourism operators in Far North Queensland who have been severely impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper. This grant is part of the broader Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements provided jointly by the Commonwealth and State governments.
The primary aim is to offer financial aid to tourism businesses that were forced to completely close and remain closed after 11 March 2024 due to extended isolation following the cyclone.
TEAG-EI level of support
- Minimum Funding Amount: There is no minimum funding amount specified for this grant.
- Maximum Funding Amount: Up to $500,000 can be granted, including any previous funding received under the initial Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant (TEAG) program released in February 2024.
- Co-Contribution Requirement: No co-contribution is required from applicants for this grant.
The level of funding is determined based on the loss of net revenue during the closure period, compared to the same period in the previous year, minus 20%.
TEAG-EI important dates
- This program is closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
TEAG-EI objectives
The grant aims to assist affected tourism businesses in maintaining operations until they can fully reopen. The financial support provided is intended to cover essential working capital expenses, enabling businesses to survive during periods of enforced closure and to resume operations as soon as possible.
Projects and expenditure eligible for TEAG-EI support
Funding can be applied to cover working capital requirements such as:
- Salaries and Wages: Retaining staff during the period of closure.
- Creditors: Paying off debts incurred due to business inactivity.
- Rent and Essential Purchases: Covering rent and necessary operational supplies like fuel.
The grant funding does not cover the following expenses:
- costs related to preparing funding applications, reports, or supporting materials
- legal expenses
- expenses incurred before the defined disaster event
- costs that do not align with the intent of the grant.
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for TEAG-EI support.
Other TEAG-EI important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for TEAG-EI support
To qualify for this grant, an applicant must:
- Own a tourism operation that was completely closed due to Cyclone Jasper and remained closed after 11 March 2024.
- Operate within the defined disaster areas, which include regions such as Cairns Regional Council, Cook Shire Council, and others.
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.
- Demonstrate the intent to continue operations in the disaster-affected area.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
TEAG-EI assessment criteria
The criteria are as follows:
Criteria 1. Disaster Impact (40% Weighting): Applicants must demonstrate the extent of the impact their business experienced due to isolation caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, including:
- The period during which the business was fully closed.
- Financial impacts relative to normal trading, such as loss of income or revenue.
- Costs associated with maintaining employees and other operational expenses.
- Broader operational impacts of the closure.
Criteria 2. Importance to the Tourism Industry and Regional Economy (30% Weighting): Applicants must show how their business contributes to the local tourism industry and the regional economy, including:
- Economic contribution, such as annual visitor numbers and visitor expenditure.
- The value and appeal of the business to both international and domestic markets.
- Any recent or planned infrastructure or product development and investment.
- The business’s role in regional employment, including full-time equivalent employees and the generation of jobs in other supporting sectors.
Criteria 3. Financial Strength and Viability (30% Weighting): Applicants must provide evidence of the business’s financial strength and its ability to recover from the disaster, including:
- Historical finsancial viability based on past performance.
- The business’s capability to return to normal operations and maintain long-term viability.
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the TEAG-EI?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
Information to prepare for the TEAG-EI application
To apply for a grant, applicants must provide all necessary supporting information and evidence including:
- financial statements for the past three financial years including:
- Profit and Loss Statements, Balance Sheets and Depreciation Schedules
- Financials must be provided for the applicant entity and all associated entities
- monthly cash flow statements for the current and next financial year
- evidence the tourism operation was completely closed to trading for the period being claimed. For example, bank statements, booking records, website notifications
- details and evidence of daily net revenue for the relevant days on which assistance is being claimed and for the corresponding calendar days 12 months earlier which is to be certified by a qualified accountant
- details and evidence of income earned for the period that the tourism business was not operational due to the disaster event
- details of any insurance cover or insurance payments.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the TEAG-EI
Applications must be submitted through the SmartyGrants portal.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
TEAG-EI resources
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